I had an old chair -actually there were two of them – and a few years ago I took them and shortened the legs so I could place them in front of the fireplace. They were great there, all nestled up next to the fireplace, but as with any good thing they started to fall apart after so many years.
Now being the good up-cycler that I am, I put the chairs in a corner and pondered what to do with them. At first I had a vague idea of making a sign and hanging it on the back of the chair. Because that was the part I was going to re-use. It would be all fall-like and pretty.
But as things have a way of going by the wayside and doing what they want on this blog, I ended up with something totally different. And so I am going to show you how to make a cool kitchen organizer from a chair.
Disclosure: I was compensated for doing this post with product. However, all the opinions stated here are my own. I only use products I love and would recommend to my viewers.
Disclosure: The items below are affiliate links and link to Amazon.com. If you purchase any of these products through the links, I receive a small commission, that way I can continue to provide you with lovely content. There is no extra charge to you for purchasing through my affiliate links.
What I used:
The How To:
The first step was to take off all the extra pieces so that I was left with the back of the chair only. It was actually quite easy since all I had to do was move the wood back and forth and then just pull the pieces out. I think all those years next to the fireplace have taken their toll on the chairs.
I sanded it down as much as I could. There was a lot of that glossy varnish we frequently find on these pieces of furniture here in Greece.
I then painted it two coats of DecoArt’s Americana Chalky Finish paint in Everlasting. This is a nice solid white. It would serve as my base color. Sorry for the picture quality here, it was taken as the sun was going down.
The next step was to paint the top color. In this case it was some left over paint I had. I had used DecoArt’s Americana Decor chalky finish paint in Escape but had mixed in a bit of white to make it a soft blue.
After it had dried for a day I sanded it down in areas that had normal wear and then used my homemade beeswax to seal it in.
You can see the white peeking through in areas where I did not sand it all the way down to the wood.
I put two nails on the wall and just hung it up like this! Obviously it’s in the kitchen.
It is cool or what? Certainly better than a purely decorative piece.
I just added a bunch of hooks that I had gotten from Ikea. And hung my various kitcheny things. Excuse the dirty glove, you can tell that we really use our stuff around here.
I took these last photos as I was getting ready to leave for the airport so I didn’t notice that a part of the twine had slipped off. That’s also why the color looks a bit greenish. Gotta catch that plane!!
Basically what I did was take a large piece of twine and knot the ends together. Then I folded it in two, then folded it again. I passed the paper towel roll though it so that the knot is hidden inside the paper roll. So that one piece that fell over, well it’s supposed to be hanging.
For now we’ve left it with the holes on the sides. We still have the wood pieces that were originally there and may do something with them. Even left empty they do add a certain character to the kitchen organizer.
So the fall thingy went out the window, but I think this was a far better idea. It is striking because you have this pop of blue in the kitchen. But most of all it is practical. You see we’d just finished the kitchen and we are a bit apprehensive about opening holes onto the tiles. This was the perfect way to organize all these things that normally go on the wall. Or at least hang somewhere.
I hope you enjoyed my easy tutorial on how to make a cool kitchen organizer from a chair. Do you have any leftover chairs that need a re-purpose?
If you like what you see, share it with your friends, or save it on Pinterest. Above is a Pinterest worthy image!
If you really like what you see subscribe to my blog and get my adventures once a week in your mailbox. The form is on the sidebar and on top. Your e-mail will never be shared with a third party.
The small apartment series:
How to organize a Bookcase
Thank you for the tutorial: My husband is near to throwing one of our livingroom chairs out (he’s been at it for ages and it still wobbles and/or falls appart). Guess I will no longer protest when he wants to next time!
It was a very easy project Marjan I just like to get fancy. I hope you share with us when yours is done
Stunning Mary. I love unique storage ideas so much and this is one of the best. I can’t believe how much hanging space there is. Pinned coz it’s really awesome
Michelle that kitchen is tiny so it was a really practical solution! Thank you!
Hey Mary! Hope you are enjoying your vacay during these wild and wooly times here in the USA!
Now that’s a fun project! Great upcycle and a very useful too. There are so many things you could do with that chair back and I like the holes that you left in it.
Have a great day my friend.
Hugs, LYnn
Lynn this is not a vacay it is the real deal. Greece is going no where, it was time to move on. The project was done in Greece for us to have a space to go back to.
I love this idea. Would be great in a girl’s room for purses or necklaces or whatever.
You are so right Jennifer, in fact I’m thinking of making another one.
What a great up-cycle – perfectly Farmhouse.
It is farmhouse, although it is in a beachy house. I guess it is versatile like that!
Mary what a cool kitchen organizer. I really love the colour, it makes such an impact and love the idea of hanging kitchen utensils to have them handy!
Katrin our kitchen is so small there was no other option at this time.
This is like the ladders that are so in fashion as organizers but much cooler and better! Great work Mary! Are you leaving Greece for the states or just visiting?
I am gone goodbye Katerina. It was long overdue. Thanks for the sweet comment. It is cool because it is that lovely shade of blue!
So nice and original as always! Love it.
Thank you Patricia. It turned out to be very practical as well.
This is such a fun idea! I never would have thought of this but I do love it.
I got to save something old and use it in a practical way, thank you Stacey!
I love this, Mary. The paper towels hanging on it are awesome! Plus I really like the color.
Yes that color is really nice, just like a beach color. Which of course I’m always aiming for.
It looks great Mary, and I love the blue color! It makes a great organizer. I still have half a wooden chair that I’m not sure what I’m going to do with, and one whole one that I’m saving for the master bath.
I also see two potential pumpkins hanging on your organizer. (wink)
Haha Linda you are too funny!!
You amaze me, Mary. You keep finding ways to upcycle stuff and turn it into not only decorative things but useful too. This is really really cool. I still have the back of the chair I chopped to make the romantic bench and resisted to throw it away, so I may be copying your project.
I hope so Pili. I wish I had more chairs to use as organizers.
Great idea! I love having things readily available in the kitchen, and this certainly keeps all of the essentials nice and handy. Turned out great!
Thank you Amy. I just couldn’t bare to put holes on the new tiles, not yet anyway.
Now this is my kind of project. I love it. Very handy to hand and unique. It is just up my alley.
And to think that I actually considered turning it into a sign! Silly me, this is so much more practical!
Oh, I want one of these chairs to repurpose! The last one I had I found in the woods, and I let it rot out in the weather. It would have been perfect for this. Love the blue color you painted it, and aren’t those rungs so handy for all kinds of hanging things? I like it.
Now I need another one because I’ve got too much to organize.
I wasn’t quite sure how you were going to pull this off, but you did and it looks terrific. Again, I love your blue!
Thank you so much Jeanie. It is much better as an organizer than a sign.
That was a great idea, Mary! It’s beautiful and practical and I love the color you’ve chosen.
Thank you Julia. It needed to be practical for my small space.
What a great project! I love the idea and how clever you are! I got to thinking you could add a some cute knobs in the holes and then you have more things to hang from it. 🙂 But it is perfect as is too!
I think so too Janine. Some knobs would definitely make it more functional.
My favourite kind of upcycle, looks good and is practical. Well done!
Claire this was such a smart idea to use it practically instead of just adding a welcome sign to it.
Mary, this is such a fabulous repurpose!!! Love it to bits!!
Thanks Sam and it was very easy to do!