Outdoor Furniture
Outdoor furniture can be a challenge. A few years ago we built our screened in porch, it was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. This was a dream of ours for many, many, many years. You can read about that HERE.
At our previous house we added a cement porch, but we hardly used it because we couldn’t really enjoy the outdoors eating with all of the bugs. It was then that I decided that if we moved again we would build a screened in porch.
Before we built our screened porch I found the perfect outdoor furniture. I think it’s from the 1950’s and it was in really good condition, the cushions just needed a little paint update.
But, after sitting outside the last few years, our outdoor furniture started to rot. I knew I needed to change these out, and I’m lucky I do have outdoor chairs for us to use for now.
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We use our porch all of the time, it’s our most used room in our home during the winter months. The outdoor chairs that I chose are starting to breakdown, and need to be repaired. I received an estimate and I was told $500.00 would be the cost to repair and recover them. That’s way out of our budget, and basically, I can purchase another table and chairs for that price.
So, I’ve been searching and trying to figure out what to do with our outdoor furniture. Last summer I purchased these cushions, and I added my outdoor curtains. I want to stay with those colors, but as you can see I have a mixture of chairs out here.
The chairs that are in the corner are used to sit and enjoy our porch. I could place them on each end of our table and keep the smaller chairs, but I think the larger chairs will make the table off balance. The faux wicker chairs work as far as the shape, but the color is off next to the white.
I’m planning on painting that chair in the corner, we all seem to enjoy the bouncing chairs.
And as you can see this is un-staged no fluff in this photo. Our cat is enjoying a little sun on her basket kitty tower. Yeah, I know my pink table cloth doesn’t go with this room, but I don’t care since it’s just for us and not company.
Anyway, as you can see I have a little bit of a challenge with our outdoor furniture.
I’m not sure if I should purchase new furniture, or paint what I have and get cushions that are similar. Since I purchased these cushions last year, they are hard to find. Most of the sizes are sold out.
I’ve been searching for outdoor furniture just in case I decide to go that route, and I’m really loving these sets.
Crossman 7 Piece
Better Homes And Gardens Clayton
Pati0 5 Piece Set
I’m not sure how I feel about a glass table. Many years ago we had a glass patio table, and after a big wind storm it shattered into what looked like a million pieces! And they seem to attract dirt too. I don’t think I’ll have to worry about the wind, since it will be in our screened porch, but I’m hesitant.
I’m also wondering if I should try and work with what I already have, since we’ll be downsizing. I don’t know what we will be taking with us for sure. Moving is very expensive, we found that out with our last move. The less we have to move, the better.
What do you think? What would you do? I think I may have a solution, but before I share, I’d love to know what you think.
Some paint and perhaps cushions recovered in matching fabric?
The new choices are nice, modern looking but they don’t have any charm.
I would paint where needed and replace all the cushions, I love the style you have going with the vintage look.
There are beautiful fabrics out there now… Even at the discount and home stores. Love your screened porch!
For SO many reasons, DON’T buy new!! The similar shapes you have at the table are PURRRRFECT!! Paint them to match and get cushions that have the same color scheme as the floral–a stripe would work! No glass! You have a cozy set/setting now!!
I think you have enough blue in your room with your curtains. I would suggest painting your table/chairs a bright yellow and cushions with some yellow, red, blue and green.
Plus use the same material as your cushions for the tiebacks on the curtains.
HI,
My local facebook flea market sites have many outdoor sets for sale. I would be checking Craigslist and estate/garage sales. So many available right now!
Good luck!?
Since your’re downsizing, I’d wait until after a move to make a decision, then see what you have to work with as far as space goes. Live with it for a little while so you can make an “informed’ decision. A previous comment mentioned local face book flea market sites. We have at least a dozen sale and swap sites in my small community plus several brick and mortar flea markets. Our newspaper always has almost a full page of for sale by owner offerings, too, plus there are numerous estate sales on the weekends. I recently picked up a very large wrought iron patio table with five chairs in great conditions for $100. The cushions weren’t salvageable, but I picked some up at our local Menard’s for almost nothing. if you’re emotionally attached to any of the pieces you have…such as the bouncy chairs….hang on to them, but consider whether or not you WANT to keep the rest of what you have. Craigslist, for sale by owner, flea markets…plenty of options to pick up something that fits your new space down the road.
I love the look of the better homes & garden clayton set. Very romantic ! I think it would look nice white.
Your bistro set is fabulous. If both tables and all those chairs are on your porch, I would just suggest that you might have too much furniture out there. Decide what you really love and speaks to you, sell the rest and use the proceeds towards refurbishing the ones you keep. Of the 3 sets, I like the one from BH&G.
Try Everything but the house ebth.com. I find great pieces there. Usually have outdoor furniture. Good luck!
I like the Better Homes and Garden black metal set. The seat cushions will be less expensive to replace when needed and it is a classic look.
The vintage chairs don’t look hard to recover. Why not buy some Sunbrella fabric (on sale of course) and recover them & make cushions for your other chairs in the same or coordinating fabric. It definitely won’t cost any where near $500.
Paint the wicker white snd get new matching cushions for all chairs. Save the money for after your move when you may want somethong completely diffetent.
I’m not fond of most of the new sets that are out now. So I love the current set spruced up idea. ❤️
I’d probably paint the non-white chairs white. And if you want to keep the floral cushions you already have but can’t find them for the other chairs, I’d get solid color cushions with the colors taken from your current cushions. I’d even try to get a mix of the colors, like 2 green, 2 turquoise, and 2 blue. Or even a narrow stripe with the cushion colors would be nice if you like mixing patterns.
I like the Clayton set if you decide to buy new.
I am a believer in estate sales and yard sales. The only reason my metal chairs match is I painted them the same color but I got them for $10 a piece. I found a nice table for $40. I love chairs that rock also. You always tell us to look around at what we have and be thrifty. I just know you will make the right decision and we your readers are with you!
I love the look of mismatched chairs around a table, Anne, and you could always paint the wicker chairs white. At this point (with your move coming up), I would just buy some big Euro pillows for your taller chairs, throw another pillow on them, and you’ll be good to go!
xoxo laurie
I too would just paint your wicker chairs white and also the black metal one in the background so they all tie in together.
Paint all of the chair and table the same color…go get a stripe fabric that matches well with your floral and make a runner for your table and a matching pillow to pop on the floral cushions…
I just downsized myself. 2500sf to 1500sf. Do yourself a huge favor and work with what you have. I agreed with everyone else. Paint what you have. It will look great!
Hi Anne! If I was in your shoes, I would definitely NOT buy new! You have no idea whar you’re going to need after you move and being the frugal girl you are, I know you would be a mess if you couldn’t use something you had just purchased in your new home.. I am a white anything lover. If I have a spare chair here or there I don’t know what to do with, I give it a nice coat of white paint and suddenly it fits in any where! I would paint everything you have white and do or make new cushions.
Good Luck!
Since you have a vintage thing going with chairs I would paint the wicker chairs white, get a coordinating fabric-maybe a lighter blue or green, stripe or check and make new cushions for chairs around table.
Oh Anne: I just love older furniture and what it is that you have. As you always say, a little paint changes everything. Because if you’re like me, and go for new, you will miss the old stuff.