Waste not, want not. I felt that way about the leftover oil-rubbed bronze spray paint from a previous project, so I turned my attention to the mismatched patio furniture we inherited from the previous owners (pictured here in an old photo with my dearly departed ceramic dog).
I often love white finishes, but white outdoor furniture can quickly look dirty. After rain, dirt and leaves collected in the table’s crevices and made everything look grubby.
Some areas were peeling too, so the set looked worn and neglected.
In spring the cushions and surfaces were fuzzy and yellow from pollen, so I decided a fresh coat of oil-rubbed bronze spray paint would both hide the wear and unify the mismatched pieces.
I moved everything into the yard and set the pieces on materials from the recycling bin—magazines and cardboard boxes—then began spraying.
I sprayed in even strokes and paid extra attention to the cracked, grimy areas.
It was especially satisfying to take the nastiest spots like this…
…and transform them into this — the oil-rubbed bronze finish gleams in the sun.
Voila.
The entire project took about an hour and a half to two hours, including brushing the pieces with a stiff brush to remove debris, hauling them to the lawn to paint, and bringing them back inside after drying. I used another can of oil-rubbed bronze to finish all three pieces, combining that with the leftover can from my earlier project. Repainting was far cheaper than buying a new set.
To finish the look, adding pillows or chair pads, string lights, and a few patio accessories will elevate this set from drab to polished. Small styling touches make a big difference.
Have you tackled any spray-paint projects lately? Did you refresh outdoor furniture or try a non-white finish? I found oil-rubbed bronze to be a practical, forgiving choice that hides wear while giving the set a cohesive, updated appearance.