The goal for this project was to create a collection of second-hand rocking chairs for our backyard patio, one for each member of the family. The chairs were all found locally on Craig’s List at prices from $10 to $40 each. If you’d like to create your own collection, here are my tips and tricks.
For the prep coat, I used some leftover green primer I had on hand. When I realized the colors I was using on the chairs were bright enough to cover the green primer, I was delighted to use it up instead of buy more.
At the paint store, I inquired about polyurethane and how I should handle painting these indoor chairs for outdoor use. They recommended using a high-quality exterior paint and skipping the poly. They also warned that the intense colors I was picking were sure to fade in the sun. But I went for it anyway. I can always repaint if they get too faded. I bought quarts of exterior paint in red, orange, yellow, green and blue. Additional chairs will be turquoise and magenta.
The intense colors take several coats of paint.
What I love about this project is, you kind of can’t go wrong:
– Almost any style of rocker would work in this eclectic mix so it’s easy to add more — for guests, or if your family grows. Wouldn’t a couple of child-size ones be cute in the collection?
-It’s a great way to give new life to old furniture.
– If a chair gets worn out (they are bound to, being left outdoors), it’s easy to replace. And you’ll have plenty of paint leftover to transform the new addition.
– When painting, if you don’t do the best job ever, it’s okay. They’re outdoor chairs and will be used pretty roughly. Mistakes won’t matter. These don’t have to be refined. I’d say only 1 of the 5 I have so far would be worthy of stripping the paint and refinishing — meaning, these aren’t heirloom chairs, you don’t have to treat them like they are.
-To save money, you could paint or stain them all the same color. I was tempted to go royal blue for my whole collection. Instead of buying separate quarts of paint, I would only have needed one gallon. And I think they would have looked equally cool in all one color.
A note on budget: I planned on $50 per chair, plus painting supplies. But I’ve been able to score on chairs, so it looks like the whole project will come in at about $320. Not bad.
Do you like them? Have you ever put together a similar type of collection, where you unite a group of objects through paint? I’d love to hear.
I am in love with this project. I am going to steal this idea for my own house…but I will only need 4 chairs. Thanks for the great, fun, new idea! You are the best mom ever!
I am so inspired to do this project for my patio. The colors are very much my style. Thanks for posting photos and getting me all pumped about a fun project!
Love it!
I love it! The bright colors will be so fun out on a porch!
Like it? LOVE IT!
This is so fun! I absolutely love it!
After reading your original post about the rocking chair project, I decided to copy cat you. We have an old farm house with a big porch that is in need of some cute furniture. I've collected 3 chairs (I need 6) and started thinking about colors. I love how yours look so far. I'm wondering about spraying vs brushing? Any input?
love it!
Those chairs look incredible in those bright colors. Nice choices! I love this idea. I love that the chair are all different but still work together. I can't wait to see the last two painted.
~Ashlee
What a fantastic project!! The colors are wonderful.
Gabby Blair's rocking chairs!
Those are fabulous! But ugh, I hear ya on the nooks and crannies of painting those. We painted my sister's crib and it took forever!
I love the rainbow of rocking chairs. I painted some chairs this weekend also, but I took the easy way out: SPRAY PAINT!
Those look great. I'm painting all my kitchen chairs a different color. A tip I learned is to buy a little tester pot of paint for as little as $3.00 each. One pot will easily cover a chair and that way you're not wasting your $$ or paint. Lowe's, Home Depot, and even Sherwin Williams all sell the small sample sizes now.
I love, love LOVE this! I am so glad you decided to go with all the different colors! Can't wait to see a picture of them finished and on your porch!
I don't just like, I love!! :)
I like AND love!
Dear husband has a old glider from his Grandma Olive (love the name…) and I am really hoping to paint it and recover the taupe cushion. It would be an indoor chair, though. Should I prime and paint?
LOVE!
they. look. AWESOME.
What a great idea! Love the colors! jen
These look gorgeous! Great, great job!!!!
Love the chairs! I love all those bright colors. What a great visual statement your porch will make. :)
I too love everything about this project. The colors are so much fun and the price can't be beat.
Thanks for sharing the details. I may have to try and piggy back on this idea.
Like? I LOVE! Super job… and it looks so neat. Can't wait to see them all lines up!
I love them! I love that they are so different in style as well! Great job.
I like the chairs and the the bright colors you are painting them. I might have to steal the idea. This could make a great winter project.
These are so peppy and rad. They leave me longing for a porch.
I am beyond inspired! I'm off to thrift some rocking chairs!
I adore this project! It makes me want to go run out right now and find four rocking chairs. The colors are fantastic! Thanks for sharing!
I LOOOVE that you are doing this! Brightly colored painted furniture…especially when done in unexpected ways thrills me to no end! Yay for your happy outdoor rocker projects! "Rock on!" =)
I like…no…I love!!!
what a fabulous idea. good luck with the hunt.
No I don't like. I LOVE. Fun idea!
Love it – and I think they might just look cool all faded too!
Brilliant! Did all your kids get to choose the colour they wanted? I can imagine a few disagreements otherwise (I have 5 and another on the way, so I know what it is like)!
Clare
What a gorgeous plan! I am so inspired to do the same thing with bentwood chairs.
So So COOL! I'm going to steal your idea (but try to find returned paint at home depot to save money – our budget is SMALL). I also love the idea that the chairs can be used for seasonal decor, too. The red and green chairs can be used on the front porch at Christmastime and we just add a wreath. The orange and yellow chairs can hold the scarecrow and some pumpkins in the fall. Red, white, and blue for Independence Day, etc. I love it!!
yes yes yes!! i'm loving all that color!
I like! The colors are stunning, and the variety of chairs is absolutely breathtaking!
These are so cool! The colors are awesome. Thanks for sharing.
this is an awesome project! here i am wishing and hoping a rocking chair will someday come my way when i should be out scouring yardsales and craigslist. thanks for the motivation. i love seeing all of your brightly painted chairs together.
Iv’e GOT to know the names/brands of the colors you used for these chairs! Beautiful…my inner kid is just itching to have these on my porch!!!!!
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brilliant – love the rainbow of colours! great idea.
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