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Patio Furniture Update on a Budget! {and a giveaway}

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hey there! I'm monica 

I pride myself on making amazing style and design accessible for everyone, regardless of location, budget, or ability! My design philosophy is rooted in authenticity + attainability - If I can do it, you can too! My work has been featured in countless publications, but I take the most pride in homeowners that have been personally inspired by my DIY ideas and have tried something in their own homes!

learn more about ME + MY BIZ

The weather is finally warming up and I feel like summer is right around the corner! ย I thought I’d invite you over to my awesome yard and beautiful patio furniture! ย Doesn’t it look welcoming and just scream, let’s drink some lemonade?ย 

table before

Oh, and how rude of me, I need to offer you a comfy seat!

IMG_0345

No… you don’t want to come? ย You don’t want to get rust all over your clothes? ย Hmm…ย 
Okay, so clearly I had two choices… buy a new set or figure out a patio furniture update on a budget. ย You may or may not know that I have a BIG project up my sleeve (a new paver patio coming soon!) so I didn’t want to spend much $$$ on the table and chairs.
I turned to my go-to solution… Spray Paint!
Looking a wee bit more inviting wouldn’t you say?

table after

Here’s how the transformation happened….
First, I removed the legs of the table. ย Not sure it was ever meant to come off, but after removing some screws and jiggling it a bit we had it off. ย This would allow me to paint the base and not the underside of the glass.

IMG_0359

Next, I needed to cover the glass top, so it didn’t turn red. ย I turned to Scotch Blue painter’s tape. ย If I have a job where I need the tape to really stick well, but NOT pull off paint, I use Scotch Blue. ย I had to use little pieces to get around the curves, but it was worth it to get a nice, crisp edge.

IMG_0347

Then, I needed to cover up the glass in the middle, so I took trash bags, cut them along the seams so I could flatten them out.

IMG_0351

Then, I tape it down on the table. ย I had some weird open areas, so I patched holes with scrap paper. ย It looks pretty fancy doesn’t it?

IMG_0353

I painted it on a sheet, so I didn’t make my grass red (not that I haven’t done that 100 times before)

IMG_0364

Since I knew this furniture was going to take a beating, I opted for Valspar’s Outdoor spray paint.

IMG_0360

The improvement was instant! I was so excited as soon as the base was started!

IMG_0361

Next, came the chairs, and again it was instant improvement! I used a little steel wool on really rusty spots, but other than that didn’t do any other prep. ย It was really quick and simple!

DSC_0333

I originally thought I’d go with solid grey cushions, but these striped ones from Target’s spring line caught my eye ($12 each). ย They’re a perfect match!

DSC_0021-001

This Before and After makes me happy (and apparently my chairs too!)

Before after chairs


All ready for a fun get together! Now let’s play I SPY… what’s missing in this picture?
Yup, 5 more cushions. ย They’re still “In Transit” from Target.

DSC_0006-001

The total cost for this project was $30. ย I used 2 cans of red and 5 cans of blue. ย I know it won’t last for five years or anything, but I’ll definitely get another year or two out of them.
ย I’ve learned something from this experience… if you own nice outdoor furniture, cover it up in really bad weather. So that you don’t have to learn the hard way, like I did,ย we’re giving away aย 
$75 Gift Certificate to Empire Patio Covers
They sell covers to fit everything from tables and chairs, to grills, fire pits, etc. ย My fire pit always got rusty without a cover.
To Enter: ย Comment on this post with the words “Empire Patio”
Bonus Entry: Like us on Facebook leave a comment letting us know
Bonus Entry: Visit Empire Patio and tell us in another comment what product you need the most on their site
Giveaway Closes: ย Friday, May 18th at 11:59pm. ย Winner will be announced on Saturday.
Details: One winner.ย Prize ships to the US and Canada. ย One entry per email address. ย Winner is selected through random.org

spray paint chairs


So there you have it. My patio furniture update on a tiny budget. ย For $30, I couldn’t be happier with the results.
So, now do you want to come over?ย 

The comments +

  1. emt817ftw says:

    Amazing what you did with that table and chairs. “Empire Patio”

  2. I love those striped chair cushions. I just re-did my entire screened porch so I definetly have outdoor on the brain too.

  3. 2busy says:

    “Empire Patio”

  4. 2busy says:

    I could really use the Extra Extra Large Oval Table and Chair Combo Cover

  5. schaf23@msn.com says:

    Will check out “Empire Patio”. Love the furniture re-do. I am also a big fan of the Valspar spray paint. Love it.

  6. Donnita says:

    “Empire Patio”

  7. schaf23@msn.com says:

    Visited the Empire Patio site and I could really use the table and chair set covers. Thank you.

  8. Donnita says:

    Ok I found just what I need to cover my grill b/c I notice when we were moving the patio around it was getting beat up a little bit! I need a Large Cart Style BBQ Grill Cover – so if I don’t win I guess I will just have to buy it! I love your blog!

  9. Stacey M says:

    Empire Patio Colors look great! And I’m doing the same thing w/ my outdoor furniture… but having a hard time getting the rust spots to smooth out. ๐Ÿ™ I used steel wool, but I think we’ll need something more industrial, like the circular thing put on to a drill. Covers would be awesome! I want these aqua based, red based and tan based striped chair covers from wal-mart too. They’re all the same but w/ diff base colors… but they’re $25 a piece! :/ (I need the upper and lower covered.)

  10. Diana says:

    Not entering the giveaway, just want to leave a comment on how amazing the repurposed furniture looks! Love the blue chairs!

  11. rho says:

    Empire Patio. I have an old metal table that was actually a kitchen table – if I reprint it with that paint will it help protect it – still trying to figure how to protect the top but if I can. Get a few years out of it and the chairs I’d be thrilled …

  12. rho says:

    Ummm that was re-paint not reprint lol

  13. auntrene says:

    I am also in the throes of a Patio redo.. My furniture chairs broke, so I did discard them… and bought new.. but my table and umbrella were in great shape.. bought some Spray Paint and that is tonights job!! I think those Empire Patio Covers would be great to protect my next proect.. a Wicker coach and rocker.. yard sale finds!!! Thanks!

  14. auntrene says:

    I stopped by “Empire Patio”s site and did a little window shopping.. the one thing I kept going back to was the Deluxe Sta-Putโ„ข Hammock Seat Cover.. that would make that 450 mile drive with the dogs a lot easier.. I definitely could use one of them.

  15. Jen says:

    empire patio. i’ve got some stuff that could use a good coat of paint.

  16. Jen says:

    i could really use some chair covers

  17. Your table and chairs look great!! I have a wicker side table and old chair that have been super beat up since I was too lazy to cover them the last few winters – I’m going to try to give them a second chance at life with the Valspar spray! Though I really enjoy doing projects like these, not going to lie, the Empire Patio covers would be helpful for the future lol ๐Ÿ™‚

  18. LolaLalaBean says:

    I love how this came out! Turquoise and Red looks beautiful together. I just did a plastic resin/wicker furniture makeover myself yesterday for a set that I bought on Craigslist for $100. Some of the metal frame had rusted and was showing through the white. After 6 cans of spray paint it looks like I have a brand new set (I used Rustoleum’s Aged Copper so it would match the Ikea chaise lounges that I purchased this season). I hadn’t thought about covering it but now that I’ve seen this post perhaps I should purchase “Empire Patio” covers myself. I also have a really old dining set that has seen better days but it’s lasted me 10 years now and I’m determined to make it go further (although what more could you really ask of a set that cost next to nothing to begin with). It looks similar to yours, but I didn’t think I could spray it (it looks like a plastic film covering the metal). I think I’m going to try some steel wool and see if it can come off so I can give it a makeover. Thanks for the inspiration!!

  19. jackiemdoyle says:

    I like RHBC on facebook

  20. jackiemdoyle says:

    We are putting on a deck right now so this is the perfect giveaway. We could definitely use the table & chair set cover from Empire.

  21. Maura says:

    I love what you did! Great job! Empire Patio covers seem great and I would love to win!

  22. Maura says:

    I already like you all on FB! THanks!

  23. Maura says:

    Just checked the site. I would like to Metro Brown long, oval table cover for my patio furniture!

  24. Courtney says:

    You just gave me the inspiration to spray my own set, the “empire patio” covers would be an excellent addition to keep it looking good!

  25. Courtney says:

    Need the oval tableandchair cover!

  26. Karisa says:

    Empire Patio

  27. Empire Patio! We need a new grill cover : )

  28. I need the large grill cover!

  29. Marnie says:

    Empire Patio
    So cute, can’t believe the change.

  30. Kim says:

    What a terrific transformation! Love your color selections!

  31. Natalie says:

    Love it! Red and blue are my colors!! I need to get to work on my sunroom furniture and this is great motivation! Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway! Empire Patio!!

  32. Natalie says:

    I follow you guys on FB and love it all!

  33. Natalie says:

    We are in desperate need of a grill cover!

  34. Tammy says:

    Looks great – love the colors!! I’m a spray paint addict. I’d planned to paint out patio set this summer, but after seeing yours, I may move that up on my to-do list.

    Tammy
    Empire Patio!!

  35. Terrilea says:

    I am going outside right now to prep my table to paint it…brilliant!!

  36. Anonymous says:

    Empire Patio
    I love the colors!!!! Looks so nice now!

    Allison@safetclimb.com

  37. Empire Patio

    LOVE LOVE LOVE your patio furniture transformation…gorgeous!

  38. I follow you ladies on facebook too ๐Ÿ™‚

  39. Love what you did! Love the color combination! I have a table just like that…mine is white, looks hideous… I can’t wait to give it a new look!!

  40. Kim D. says:

    Love it! Empire Patio

    Kim D.
    berlydunn79 @ gmail.com

  41. cathey says:

    Love the colors of that Empire Patio paint that you used. It truly revamped that patio set. That would look awesome in any back yard for a family to spend the summer making memories right @ home.

  42. MerMarty says:

    Empire Patio looks awesome! We just moved to a tiny apartment, and I’ve been dying to add some love to our little patio area. ๐Ÿ™‚

  43. MerMarty says:

    I like ECC on fb.

  44. ruth says:

    I’d love to win those! I just got a new furniture set at the end of season last year. We just put it all together and it’s sitting on my deck looking so nice! I’d like to keep it that way and we had just discussed furniture covers. ๐Ÿ™‚

  45. MBG says:

    Empire Patio!!

  46. MBG says:

    I could definitely use a cover for our grill. Poor boy is looking nasty after just one season!

  47. Tesse says:

    Empire Patio! We just bought new patio furniture (our first!) and currently the cushions are living in our dining room. We need a better solution… ๐Ÿ™‚

  48. Tesse says:

    I visited Empire Patio and I’m thinking the nutmeg settee cover would be first on my list…

  49. Sally says:

    Empire Patio – count me in!!!

    sally.puckett@yahoo.com

  50. Sally says:

    Following on Facebook ๐Ÿ™‚

    sally.puckett@yahoo.com

  51. Sally says:

    I would love to spend the prize on a cover for my grill ๐Ÿ™‚

    sally.puckett@yahoo.com

  52. Kendall says:

    It looks amazing!!! Great job!!!

  53. Christina says:

    empire patio!!

  54. Christina says:

    I like you girls on FB!!

  55. Deanna says:

    Empire Patio!!!

  56. Deanna says:

    I dig you ladies on Facebook!

  57. Deanna says:

    I really like the Metro Brown Round Table Cover or the Nutmeg Air Conditioner Cover.

  58. cag940 says:

    Empire Patio!

  59. Empire Patio
    shel704 at aol dot com

  60. I like you on Facebook
    shel704 at aol dot com

  61. I’d love the Large Cart Style BBQ Grill Cover
    shel704 at aol dot com

  62. Julie says:

    Empire patio
    I am really impressed with what you did with the chairs
    thansk
    aunteegem@yahoo.com

  63. Julie says:

    like u on fb Julie A Scott Laws
    aunteegem@yahoo.com

  64. jackiemdoyle says:

    Empire patio – the patio set looks great!

  65. jackiemdoyle says:

    I follow ECC on FB

  66. Scarlet says:

    I am so impressed with the make over that you did with your outdoor furniture nj. I am trying it for the summer, i just hope that I can succeed like you did.

  67. Brilliant work …..Work is very impressive with great ideas….I like it very much..thanks !!!!!
    http://www.authenteak.com/

  68. ROLAND PRICE says:

    Well this is what I call innovation but I am genuinely looking for good Patio furniture covers.

  69. Woah, I think they will last upto 2 to 3 years, well it depends on how you manage them, but you did great at all, I love the new colors, its cute and attractive.

    Denver Patios

  70. queen Ndanu says:

    Wow! I like this. Am genuinely impressed. I wish you could share some ideas on upgrading patio covers on a budget too.

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