That’s right, Karl’s legs are pale no more. After some thought we decided to give all 12 of our sectional’s inexpensive birch legs a coat of oil-rubbed bronze spray paint to deepen their tone and add a subtle sheen and dimension that plain brown paint couldn’t provide. The project was straightforward, though it did require removing each leg for a bit of disassembly.
Once the legs were off, I sanded each one by hand with coarse sandpaper (I used 60-grit). Although the legs looked raw at first glance, they actually had a clear finish on them, so sanding helped remove that layer and provide better paint adhesion.
Sanding removed the glossy finish and left the wood looking more matte and ready for paint. That non-glossy, slightly rough surface helps spray paint stick and creates a more durable finish.
Before spraying, I also removed the little felt floor-protecting pads so they wouldn’t get gummed up. They peeled off easily and still had enough adhesive to be reattached after painting.
For the makeover I used Rust-Oleum Universal Metallic spray paint in Oil-Rubbed Bronze with a trigger nozzle. Because spray paint fumes can be strong, I laid cardboard down and sprayed outdoors while wearing a mask.
Here are all of the legs after the first coat. I applied three thin coats total to achieve even, drip-free coverage.
Quick spray-painting tips from our experience:
- Use higher-quality spray paint with a good nozzle — it sprays thinner, more evenly, and is easier to control.
- Keep the can moving to avoid heavy spots — a steady, sweeping motion works best.
- Hold the nozzle about 8–10 inches away from the piece for a fine mist rather than a wet coat.
- Apply three thin coats rather than one thick coat to prevent drips and get smooth coverage.
- Spray outdoors with a mask and allow the paint to cure as instructed on the can; we typically double the recommended drying time when possible.
- If you want to further reduce any lingering off-gassing before bringing the pieces inside, you can seal the paint with two thin coats of a low-VOC acrylic sealer.
After three light coats, I let the legs cure outdoors for 48 hours (12 hours in direct sun and the remainder in a covered area in case of rain). During that time our living room looked a little odd while the sectional sat low to the ground, but it gave the paint plenty of time to harden.
After two days the legs were dry and hard with a sleek finish. The oil-rubbed bronze paint produces a subtle metallic sheen that catches the light at different angles, giving the legs a slightly reflective, refined look. They didn’t smell strongly after sufficient outdoor drying time, but if they had, a low-VOC sealer would have been my next step.
Finally, I stuck the felt pads back on and John reattached each leg. The sectional was back together and instantly looked more polished. It’s a subtle change, but the oil-rubbed bronze finish elevates the overall appearance in a way that simple brown paint wouldn’t.
From certain angles or under lower light the finished legs read more like a rich chocolate stain, which blends nicely with our other finishes. The metallic option gives a tiny bit of glimmer that adds visual interest without being flashy.
For comparison, here are the original pale birch legs before the update:
Adding matching oil-rubbed bronze hardware, like curtain rods, will help the room feel even more cohesive. For now, we’re happy that this inexpensive update made our $1,248 sectional feel more like the pricier version we admired — a small, inexpensive change that noticeably improves the overall look.
Hooray for a quick sanding and spray-paint adventure that made a big aesthetic difference. If only my own pale legs were that easy to fix.
Psst — check out the oddest baby toy we’ve seen; Clara loves it.