This was a delightfully simple little project that instantly made everyone smile.
Remember the old wooden highchair my mom passed along to me about a year ago—one she used as a child? I finally decided to give it some attention.
It had been tucked away in storage for years and arrived with paint splatters and a musty, smoky smell. I’d been waiting for the right moment to refresh it, and once Clara was big enough to sit in it safely without a lap belt, I knew the time had come.
I weighed several finishing options:
- Sanding and staining for a natural, antique look
- Spraying a classic white or black finish
- Choosing a bright, playful color like turquoise, navy, lime, yellow, or orange-red
We considered where the chair would be used most often:
- The dining room table
- The kitchen peninsula
- The round living room table by the window
After talking it over, John and I decided a bright, cheerful yellow would be the best fit. A few reasons helped us settle on that choice:
- Our front door is bright yellow and it creates a happy pop of color when open (we also have yellow in our curtains)
- We already have yellow kitchen accessories that contrast nicely with the room’s grays, browns, and whites
- A pair of yellow horse-head accents I moved into the living room looked lively and fun
So I did my usual spray-paint prep, brought the chair outside, and got to work.
First I primed. Because the chair is very old and had visible paint splatters, I chose not to sand it in case the old paint contained lead. Following lead-paint guidance, I painted over the existing surface instead of sanding. I applied three very thin, even mists of primer while keeping the can 8–12 inches away and moving steadily to avoid drips.
I used Rust-Oleum Universal in satin white (it has primer built in). It makes a great base under a bold color because the paint-and-primer combo adheres well and builds a smooth surface for the topcoat. Once the white base was dry, the chair looked fresh and even.
For the topcoat I chose Rust-Oleum Sun Yellow in thin, even layers. I’ve used this yellow on other small projects and find it to be a reliably cheerful shade that photographs well and reads as a true, happy yellow.
After a few light coats for solid coverage, the chair was bright and glossy. I let it cure outdoors for two sunny days, bringing it into the sunroom overnight for protection from unexpected dew or storms. Then I left it another 48 hours in the sunroom with the windows open so any lingering spray-paint smell could dissipate before bringing it into the house.
When the paint felt hard and glossy, it was ready for regular use. I carried the chair into the living room and waited for Clara to wake so I could capture her discovery.
She got immediately excited when I told her it was her “big girl” chair and tried to climb right in. With a little help she settled into the seat and looked so proud—grinning from ear to ear.
She sang and played while sitting in it, delighted by her new seat. Watching her reaction made the whole project worth it—it felt like giving her a small, everyday treasure.
My mom loved the makeover too. She said yellow was a perfect choice for Clara and would remain versatile for future children of either sex—something I hadn’t considered, so that was a happy bonus. It’s touching to think this chair has been used by three generations of our family.
Here are a few close-ups showing the glossy finish. Gloss paints reflect light beautifully and are durable and easy to wipe clean, but they also emphasize surface imperfections, so patience and light, even coats are key.
The next few moments were full of hide-and-seek and giggles—“Where’s Clara?” followed by delighted shrieks of “There she is!”—which only confirmed that the chair was a hit.
In short: the makeover was a success. The chair looks fresh, the finish is tough enough for daily toddler life, and Clara adores it. Thanks to Mom for passing along such a charming seat and for the encouragement to make it our own with a happy splash of color. It’s a simple restoration project that adds character to the home and gives a beloved hand-me-down new life.
This little update also checked off an item from my self-imposed “Dude, get on that already” list—and it felt great to clear something off our playroom pile. What overdue project have you tackled lately? Any chair makeovers or spray-paint adventures to share?