This repurposed patio furniture idea is functional and budget-friendly. See how you can give a torn rattan chair new purpose in life by transforming it into a pretty and welcoming vignette.
New Purpose for a Broken Rattan Chair
This project came about, out of necessity. We have a spot next to our front door which is like a tiny porch. Well it’s not really a porch just a place to stand after you walk up the stairs to get to the door.
Anyway it was looking kind of lonely and empty… till I found this torn old rattan chair and got an idea to transform it into outdoor decor and give the front of the house some curb appeal. Budget-friendly repurposed patio furniture? Yes please!
I had snatched these old boots from somewhere and kept them in the foyer with the hopes that I’d get to use them one day because there are so many cute projects using boots.
So I dragged that broken chair out there and stuck a bunch of faux flowers in the boots and called it a day! You may recall that I had also used the same flowers in this project.
And you know what? All I could say was “Nope”!!
It looked terrible, I couldn’t walk up to that front door without wincing.
What I Used:
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. If you purchase any of these products through the links, we receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. You can find our full disclosure here.
- a rattan chair with a tear in the seat
- white acrylic paint
- paint brush
- a pair of rubber boots
- an old wicker wine bottle holder
- faux flowers and vine
- old basket
How to Repurpose Patio Furniture:
Back to the drawing board. I realized that black chair frame did nothing for the boots and flowers, so I dry brushed it with white acrylic paint and then wrapped it with a faux vine.
At least now the white frame was easier on the eyes!
You can see my new puppy’s paws on the right side, he was keeping me company. Best Mother’s Day gift ever. :)
Now back to my story! I then remembered the rule of threes, and shopped the house to unearth this wicker basket which contained a bottle of wine, long since consumed. I painted that white too in a casual sort of way.
And there it is. Lots of pink and white and a bit of the brown but certainly better than it was before.
I’m hoping that my dad will let me have a real plant or two so I can make a whole vignette out of it. Not like this one but better!
What would you suggest I add at the foot of the chair? It’s looking kind of empty.
As luck would have it, I went down to the basement and found this basket which was full of hardware. I immediately confiscated it and took it upstairs. I then painted the horizontal strips white to give it a bit more pizzazz! And plunked in those flowers which, yes, I also found in the basement.
And that is when the heavens opened up and it started to rain like it was the end of all time.
What to do? I waited and waited, till the next day and the sun didn’t come out…
… but there was a lull in the rain and so I ran out and snapped a few shots of my finished project.
You can even see the wet ground in this photo. I’m really liking this last minute addition.
Had it not been for that lull in the rain, I would not have had a post for you today. But that is the way things work around here. Sometimes you just have to fly by the seat of your pants.
So I was able to repurpose that useless torn rattan chair, and also use the boots, the wicker bottle holder and the basket from the basement! I would have to say that despite the rain giving me a hard time, I still came out ahead.
You also have to see this bright pink upcycled patio chair idea by Sustain My Craft Habit!
What do you use to decorate your front porch?
Additional Outdoor Decor Ideas You’ll Love:
If you really like what you see subscribe to my blog and get my adventures in your mailbox. The form is on the sidebar and on top. Your e-mail will never be shared with a third party.
This blog is for entertainment purposes only; my DIY tutorials are not professional advice. Read my full disclaimer here.
I love it when I get your comments and I will try to reply to every one of them. Please do not add a hyperlink to your comment, otherwise it cannot be published.
Now that’s a fun idea for the front “porch”. Way better than just a boring front door. The pink boots are such a vibrant color and immediately make me think that some crazy happy people live inside the house.
That’s what I want them to think Michelle, a crazy happy person like me!! You hit the nail on the head!
It is the perfect welcoming vignette. And you can change it with the seasons. I have an old school desk by my front door with plants. My entryway is small but it is nice to have something to welcome guests.
Absolutely, you want something there. Now I will have to tackle that awful sign above the chair. It needs a rehaul for sure.
There you go working your talented magic again. Looks so cute. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Cindy this one was a quicky, I needed to add something, anything to that bare front.
Those pink boots just scream spring and the chair looks fabulous! I think I need a chair.
I remember you also used boots somewhere. When I saw them I just grabbed them. People get rid of the strangest things.
There ya go again, digging up more stuff from the basement and turning it into something fabulous. Most people would have seen the demise of that chair but not our Mary! Pinned 🙂
Marie I can’t bear to throw anything away till I give it one last chance. 😉
Very creative! Great job & looks so appealing!
You’re welcome to drop by for a cup of inspiration anytime!
Jennifer
It was a quick way for me to get rid of that chair without having to throw it out. Thank you Jennifer.
Hi Mary, your creativity never fails to impress me! You’ve made a rattan chair look very attractive. I’m not sure I would have parted with those wellies though. They are far too cute to upcycle.
xx
The wellies were throw out and almost a few steps away from the bin before I rescued them. Alas they were 3 sizes too small for anyone of us. 😉
Mary, it looks great! I love the addition of those pretty pink boots and the flowers and vine. Definitely adds curb appeal to your “porch.” Did I miss how you fixed the chair?
Florence I didn’t fix the chair. I just put the boots on top and covered the tear. Camouflage.
Mary you sure have a way for turning beat up broken down torn items into something beautiful. Your tore wicker eye sore is now some pretty porch decor. Those pink rubber boots add just the right amount of color. Love it!
Linda there was no way I was going to throw anything out without having a try at repurposing it first.
Your vignette is clever and welcoming. As for your question about what to put at the base of the chair, I always love a worn out old watering can repurposed with flowers.
I like your idea but if I take my dad’s can he is likely to chase me around the yard with a brook stick. Haha!
Definitely better once you worked your magic Mary, version 1 had potential but not much more!
We don’t have porches much here in the UK, some very large houses do but for most of us our guests get wet if they come to our front doors when it’s raining! Some people add an enclosed porch to the front of the house, a little extension with a second door – for security as well as somewhere to shelter and to dump your wet shoes! We see photos of US houses with their beautiful front porches and verandas and get porch envy!
Julie we don’t have a porch either. As soon as you walk up the steps there is a door and then that little space next to the entryway. That’s it. I too wish I had a bit old house with a porch. But I really wanted to fill up that dead space. And this was the answer
Hi Mary! I love how your little chair vignette turned out! I don’t know, but maybe move the tall wicker basket down near the other one. I kinda like the boots up there by themselves, but that’s just me. 🙂
Very cute and already pinned! Love the boots… Pink, of course,
Barb 😉
I tried that Barbara but I was trying to apply the rule of threes. Or should I be a rebel and break the rules?
Great way to repurpose an old chair!! Love the idea of the pink gumboot!
You know me Sam, nothing old gets past me before it is inspected.
What a fun welcome! I Have a couple pairs of boots that I love pulling out for décor now and then. One had sun faded, so I repainted and polka dotted them. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Jann that is a great idea. I’m sure mine will get faded from the sun too. Gonna try painting them at some point.
I love that you were able to give this chair a new life! Thanks for sharing with Merry Monday; I’ll be featuring your outdoor decor at our upcoming party. Hope to see you again next week!
Thank you so much Emily.