Pink Repurposed Patio Chair Garden Planters

Transforming old wooden chairs or outdoor chairs into vibrant, eye-catching planters is a charming and sustainable DIY project perfect for adding a touch of whimsy to your front porch, small patio, or flower beds.

Transforming Trash to Treasure!

Have you ever stumbled upon an item of old furniture that someone has thrown away and think “I can do something with this!”. When you see beyond the ugliness to only the potential beauty? That overwhelming feeling you get of excitement and surprise at your own good fortune? Well that exact feeling happened to me earlier this month as I was walking through my neighborhood.

I came across some pretty hideous looking patio chairs sitting alongside the curb. And with an open mind, I tentatively approached the set (not wanting my neighbors to notice me looking through someone’s garbage) and to my delight I discovered that the chairs were made of solid cast iron.

The iron chair frames were still in great condition although slightly rusting in spots. The upholstered seat, on the other hand, was moldy, gaudy and worn. Immediately I thought I had hit the jackpot!

I urged the kids to pick up the pace (as fast as their little legs could take them) and head home so I could quickly return with my van to load up the great find.

All the chairs needed was a simple makeover. With an upcycled design plan in place I began the transformation.

I decided to repurpose each patio chair into chair planter for potted flowers. I planned to use one for my garden and give the other to my sister for her outdoor space.

I chose a lovely shade of pink paint (“Wildfire” Dulux Metalclad Gloss Alkyd) that matched to a potted geranium I had sitting on my front porch.

And I couldn’t be happier with the results!

How to Paint Cast Iron Patio Furniture:

• Metal paint scraper and wire brush (if sanding is needed)
• Quart of paint in your choice of colour (use a paint specific for metal)
• Small bristle brush or foam brush (to get into the corners of the chair frames)
• Small paint roller and tray

To start, I used a paint scraper and removed any larger areas of rust that were showing. I then vigorously brushed with the wire brush to smooth our the iron as much as I could.

I then gave each broken chair a good cleaning with soap and water and left them to air dry completely.

Once dry, I placed them on top of old newspapers and began applying thin even coats of paint. Several coats of paint were required in order to get full coverage.  I allowed enough time to dry in between coats and then flipped the chairs upside down and repeat on the undersides. To personalize your creation, spray paint the frame in different colors to match your existing outdoor decor or to add a pop of brightness that draws attention in small spaces.

Once the paint is dry, I found a compatible sized pot to fit inside the seat. I then filled the chair seat with potting soil, arranging a variety of succulents or vibrant blooms in a variety of shapes for visual interest. These decorative accents not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also make your chair a focal point of your front porch or used to accentuate small spaces.

And that’s how patio chairs destined for the landfill were transformed into a beautiful planter
 for our gardens! To think someone actually thought these chairs were trash?!

I guess it’s true what they say, “one woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure”.

UPDATE: It’s been 5 years since we painted these cast iron patio chairs. They’ve held up extremely well and continue to provide a pretty pop of color in the garden year-round! You can see them peaking in the background of this DIY camo tote bag photo shoot!

What trash have you turned into treasure lately?