Tonite I’m writing this post from the comfort of my “new” patio. Decorated courtesy of yet another quasi-dumpster diving adventure. You don’t always have to jump in the dumpster to find the good stuff. My patio chairs were found outside the trash bin which is much easier for me to navigate given that I’m 5 ft 4 inches on a good day.
My two chairs started off a rusty, metal mess. I initially wondered if they might be better off just staying in the trash?
I busted out some sandpaper and sanded off the worst of the rust. Then I whipped out the spray paint and voila– in a hot minute I was finished. Two perfectly fabulous chairs. Side note– this sounds like an easy project but I did experience a few minor mishaps painting due to semi-windy conditions and blowing newspapers. Thankfully there’s not a noticeable amount of paint specks on the patio though the floor is now a much deeper shade of gray in certain spots. Shshsh… don’t tell my apartment complex…
To complete the project I found a cheery red pillow at WalMart for $7 and a small table at Target for $15. Right now I’m using two rugs that are rejects from the kitchen years ago. I’m still in the market for a like-new rug and maybe a few more plants and candles. I’m determined to have a low cost and semi- upcycled/recycled/repurposed patio area. So far, so good. (Let the dumpster diving adventure continue!)
Cost of Project:
- 2 Metal Chairs– FREE
- 2 cans black satin spray paint (WalMart)– $5.00
- 1 red pillow (WalMart)– $7.00
- 1 small table (Target)– $15.00
- Plants– FREE
Thrift Shopping Buzz 
I always admire creative people, not having a creative bone in my own body at all. You took nothing and made something from it. I, on the other hand, have the ability to take something and make absolutely nothing out of it — but I can do it faster and cheaper than anyone else. LOL
And I know about spray painting on a semi-windy day. I helped my friends paint some wicker furniture in Upstate New York last fall and I now own a pair of black crocs with white dots all over them. No amount of scrubbing gets the paint off. But hey, maybe polka dot crocs will become hip!
Keep on dumpster diving! I’m living vicariously through you…..
Kay Lorraine
Honolulu, Hawaii
well, my patio floor is a much darker shade of “gray” now. I’m in search of a larger rug to cover that! By the way your blog is great and I’ll definitely check in again. Cheers and happy Friday!
Looks great with all of the accents! I ❤ repurposing things. When we are getting rid of something that's still useable, we don't trash it or have a yard sale, we put it by the curb on a weekend and write "free". I hope you have a good day thrifting today!
Great find and great re-do!
thank you! It was a fun project.