Our Porch Gets a Spray Paint Glow Up

This month, Krylon is proudly sponsoring a series of thrifty, creative DIY projects designed to inspire and transform your living spaces without breaking the bank. Join us as we explore the incredible potential of spray paint in bringing new life to old favorites.

From the moment we moved in, our porch has held a special, albeit challenging, place in my heart. I often say it’s my favorite room in the house, despite its initial state of disrepair. When we first took possession, it was, quite frankly, horrendous. The floors were an unsightly expanse of green artificial turf, the screens were riddled with holes and framed by rotting wood, paint was chipping everywhere, and the entire floor slanted noticeably. (It still slants, a practical feature, we tell ourselves, “for drainage.”) The accompanying photo, captured in the starkness of winter, amplifies its drabness, but it effectively conveys the blank canvas we were presented with.

Over the last few summers, we’ve poured our hearts and hands into this space, meticulously touching every surface. This dedication has allowed us to transform it from a “gah-ross” eyesore into a truly “gah-reat” extension of our home. This summer, our focus shifted to the porch furniture, and with the invaluable help of several cans of Krylon spray paint, we embarked on a series of exciting makeovers. Our very first project targeted the coffee table(s), which, unfortunately, lost their “true” before pictures to an untimely iPhone crash. However, the image below, cleverly Photoshopped by Bruno, offers a close approximation of their original brown tabletops and red legs. If you can envision the entire tables in a uniform shade of brown, you’ll grasp their authentic pre-makeover appearance.

(As mentioned, these ‘before’ pictures are photoshopped to illustrate the original condition, due to lost originals.)

Transforming Bachelor-Era Side Tables into Family-Friendly Coffee Tables

The core of our new porch coffee table setup consists of two sturdy wooden side tables that faithfully served Bruno during his bachelor days. We held onto them because their robust construction and material made them surprisingly well-suited for outdoor use. Most of the time, we conveniently push them together to form a single, spacious coffee table. However, we truly appreciate their versatility; they can be easily separated when guests arrive, transforming into individual side tables or comfortable footrests, or even a combination of both, simultaneously!

The inspiration for painting the tabletops with chalkboard paint struck us as a brilliant way to invite our two-year-old daughter, Ayla, to grace yet another surface with her burgeoning artistic talents. This creative decision not only added a fun, interactive element but also made the tables unique and personalized. We began this exciting transformation by carefully hauling the tables out to our designated outdoor work area. Our first step was to apply Krylon’s “Cherry Red” spray paint with a glossy finish to the bases and legs, instantly adding a vibrant pop of color.

The spray painting process itself proved surprisingly straightforward, though not without its learning curve. Having not tackled wood furniture with spray paint in quite some time, we wisely consulted the Krylon Web site’s FAQ section for a quick refresher. The most invaluable tips we gleaned were the reminders to always begin and finish our strokes off the object being painted, ensuring an even coat and preventing drips. We also diligently heeded their advice to apply several light coats (ideally 2-3) rather than attempting to achieve full coverage with one thick layer. We experienced this issue firsthand right at the outset, resulting in some unfortunate drips that necessitated later sanding and re-spraying. This initial setback, however, became a valuable lesson, reinforcing the importance of patience and proper technique.

The project ultimately consumed more paint than we initially anticipated, requiring almost two full cans of Krylon Cherry Red. This was primarily due to our initial coat being a bit too heavy, which, as noted, led to drips and necessitated extra sanding and re-painting. Additionally, the intricate angles and contours of the table legs presented a considerable challenge, demanding careful application and multiple passes to ensure thorough coverage. Despite these minor user errors, we’re pleased to report that our finesse with spray paint significantly improved with each subsequent session. Later projects benefited immensely from this acquired skill, resulting in drip-free, “easy-peasy” finishes that truly showcased the product’s potential.

Once the vibrant red paint on the legs had fully dried, we moved on to the tabletops. For this, we used a can of Krylon Chalkboard Brush-On paint. After applying three careful coats (I confess, I added an extra coat – perhaps due to a touch of obsessive-compulsive tendencies, or simply “for good measure!”), the tables were left to dry completely. Once cured, they were ready to return to their rightful place on the porch, where they were enthusiastically greeted by one very happy, budding artist.

This initial coffee table project unfolded over the course of two days. Day one was dedicated to the spray painting of the table bases, allowing ample drying time between each of the several coats. Day two saw us meticulously hand-painting the table tops with the chalkboard paint. We consciously allowed for 1-2 hours of drying time between each paint layer, a crucial step for achieving a smooth, durable finish. The results were nothing short of thrilling, and we eagerly invite you to stay with us, folks, as the true reveal of our revitalized porch is just around the corner – keep scrolling!

Giving Ayla’s Rocking Chair a Colorful Makeover

Before diving into the painting, we undertook a couple of crucial preparatory steps. First, we carefully removed the rocker’s built-in noise mechanism, which, while endearing at first, played a music-box-like tune *every single time* she rocked – a melody that had, over time, become a bit repetitive! We then filled the small hole left behind with a dab of spackle we had on hand, ensuring a smooth surface. Following this, we gave the entire rocker a light sanding to help the new paint adhere better, and then finalized our painting plan. Our vision was to paint all of the chair’s delicate spindles in the cheerful “Watermelon” pink, while covering the rest of the chair in the bold “Cherry Red.” The pink coats went on flawlessly and dried within a few hours, laying a beautiful foundation for the rest of the project.

Once the pink paint was perfectly dry and cured, we meticulously taped off the newly painted pink surfaces using painter’s tape, ensuring crisp lines and protecting our initial work. With the spindles secured, we enthusiastically began applying the “Cherry Red” to the remaining portions of the chair. This part of the process, with its numerous tricky angles and varied surfaces, took a little more time and careful attention than we had initially anticipated. However, the valuable lessons learned from painting the coffee tables served us well. We knew that several light coats would not only look better but also dry significantly faster, albeit requiring a touch more patience. Demonstrating what I can only describe as superhuman self-control, I diligently waited at least 30 minutes between each coat, allowing the paint to properly set and ensuring a flawless finish without any drips or unevenness. This meticulous approach truly paid off in the end.

Thanks to a cooperative day of weather and an early start, we actually managed to tackle the entire chair project in a single day, a feat we were absolutely thrilled with. The transformation was remarkable, breathing new life into a beloved piece of furniture.

The Final Reveal: A Porch Transformed

Our porch, once a forgotten and drab corner, has been utterly transformed into a vibrant, functional, and inviting outdoor sanctuary. The versatile chalkboard-topped coffee tables now serve as both a practical surface for snacks and drinks, and an endless canvas for Ayla’s creative expressions. Her charming, newly painted pink and red rocking chair adds a delightful splash of color and personality, perfectly complementing the revamped tables. Each piece of furniture tells a story of careful planning, creative vision, and the satisfying effort of DIY. We’ve not only updated the aesthetics but also enhanced the functionality and enjoyment of our favorite “room.”

These projects underscore the incredible power of a simple can of spray paint to breathe new life into old items, proving that stunning home transformations don’t require extensive budgets or professional help. With a little patience, the right products, and a willingness to learn, anyone can achieve remarkable results and create a space that truly reflects their style and needs. Stay tuned and check back next week to read all about our next quick-and-easy porch makeover project: a refreshing treatment for our porch lighting!