Est. 2010
How to Refinish Outdoor Furniture in Two Easy Steps
When a couple I’m friends with shared a pic on their socials of their new patio table, my first question was (quite naturally for me):
“What are you doing with your old one?”
This is how I’ve scored more pieces of furniture than I care to admit.
When a friend announces they’ve gotten a new _________, I always try to ask what they’re doing with the old one, as usually they’re going to toss it out.
It turns out, my friends had tossed their old acacia table to the curb. I immediately drove over with my tool kit in my hatchback. I dismantled the legs and somehow fit the whole thing in my teensy car (#hatchbacklyfe) and then reassembled the whole thing when I got it to my house.
I actually love this table (despite its current rough appearance). My friends and I have had six years worth of parties and conversations around it, so I was really happy to be able to give it a good home.
It was quite the eyesore as-is, but here’s what this IKEA ÄPPLARÖ table looked like new:
Luckily refinishing outdoor furntiure isn’t very hard at all! It really all comes down to two steps: Sand & Stain.
Step 1: Sanding!
I grabbed my lil electric sander and got to work!
There is a bit of technique behind this. Make sure you’re sanding in long strokes with the grain of the wood. This will help ensure you get a nice, smooth, even texture.
The goal here is to remove all of the exposed rough sections and original stain.
After everything was sanded & smooth to the touch, I wiped everything down with a dry cloth, then a wet cloth, then a dry cloth again to make sure all the dust was gone.
Step 2: Staining!
Now for the fun part.
I chose this one coat waterproof stain for this project, but there are plenty of colors to choose from. This can only cost $15.
You’ll just want to make sure you pick a waterproof stain to protect your furniture from the elements!
I stirred it with a sad little plastic knife from my junk drawer…
…and painted it on!
Much like the sanding step, you’ll want to make sure you’re using slow, even strokes that go with the grain of the wood while applying the stain.
You’ll also want to make sure you’re not over-applying the stain so it spreads evenly.
After I finished the main table, I put the leaves back on…
…and stained those as well!
I was pretty thrilled with our new (FREE) patio table!
But I couldn’t help feeling like something was missing.
I went to my garage and saw this old light fixture another friend of ours gave us after a recent renovation.
We tried and tried to find a good place to put this in our home, but just couldn’t make it work.
Until now!
I removed the hardware from the glass part of the light fixture.
I filled it with soil and added a few lovely Petunias!
This works especially well since the center hole of the light fixture can be put right over the umbrella hole on the table for mess-free drainage!
Now Mr. Refashionista and I have a delightful place for dining alfresco and outdoor game nights! And we can’t wait til we can have our friends over to enjoy this table for another six years (at least!).
Cheers!
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37 Comments
Elaine Pote
you know that’s murano glass in that “planter?” Be careful with it, worth a lot actually.
Amanda
I’m refinishing an old table myself so this is great inspiration as always! Thank you for posting this, sharing your talent and humor, and for promoting creativity!!
Susan
Your table looks great and I love the repurposed flower pot! Someone gave me a great tip for pots: put a coffee filter over the drainage hole, it will keep the soil in, and still allow drainage. This will help keep your lovely patio clean!
Elsa Geary
Great job, love it.
judy ross
Love that table. Great job!
Barbara Ray
Good job , looks great.
Lisa
It seems like you’re not just a dab hand with a sewing machine – You have many hidden talents! , a great ‘re-fashion’ Love it.
CAROL GORNTO
REALLY love the table………I refinish furniture myself! The first thing I though of when I saw that light fixture is what a lovely birdbath it would make, although it looks great as a planter.
treadylady
Don’t show your friends, they might want the table back!!!
Thank you for the days of sunshine every few days. I think your going to inspire people to do it themselves
Eileen
During this difficult time of self isolation your refashions have brought me much enjoyment! I look everday to see if there’s a new post of your’s. So a big thank you from Manitoba Canada
Kristen McBee
Bree, you said exactly what I was thinking! I envy Jillian’s vision. Such a gift! Keep these wonderful ideas coming!
jenny_o
Oh wow! That turned out so great! It looks fantastic, especially with the flower pot and flowers. Great save.
Annie
Fabulous refinish and great new planter too!
Internette
Fantastic refashion!
Please inspire us with more restorations like this one.
Bree
omg… You just did such a wonderful job on this… It is not the work… It is your vision… I envy your thinking process!!!!! I’d love seeing more creative posts like this in addition to your refashioning… After all… this WAS a refashion, right??
trockwell2015
LOVE IT!!! You are so gosh darn creative!!
Gloria
I have that very lamp in my foyer!
redbam
So awesome! You are multi-talented. Wonderful idea converting the lamp base to a planter. Well done.
Wilmoo
Great job on your patio table redo LOVE IT! I too am glad you are back.
Maria Victoria Del Toro
LOve, LOve , everthing!! Happy Easter!!!
Lynn
Love love love how this turned out. Beautiful.
Allison
You have the best ideas! Love this
Queen of Fifty Cents
Nice table! I had to chuckle at your getting it into your tiny car – reminded me of the day we brought home an 8′ long sofa in a Civic hatchback. Proof here! http://queenoffiftycents.blogspot.com/2011/10/shop-local.html
Stella Stewart
Gorgeous! I may not comment on every post, but I certainly love all of them! Thank you!
Rob
So, so true. We love you!
Ingrid
I am so glad your back with your lovely blog !
Every time my mailbox shows that there is a new post i can’t wait to read it!
snitchinthekitchen
I upcycle old light fixtures for the garden all the time! They are perfect!! Well done!
Miki Markofski
You are so much fun!
Kristina R
I wake up everyday hoping you posted something. Thanks for being there for all of us right now.
Julie
Don’t you love it when a plan comes together! Many new memories will be made around this table again!
Barbie
You are my hero! Please keep refashioning, rehabbing and the make-overs that you do so well. You and your projects are the bright light that we all need right now.
Cathleen
What?! That’s amazingly awesome.
carolfromhouston
Awesome job! You’ve inspired me to redo a beat up, round teak table I scored at a garage sale for $10. Love how you repurposed the cute light fixture; btw, y’all have a beautiful backyard. Happy Easter
Loretta Mitson
Love it! You continue to inspire me! Happy Easter!
Michelle Van Ellis
Great job! I wish I had your follow-throughed-ness. 🙂
Elise
brilliant…you are a woman after my own heart. I have snagged bargain furniture pieces for years and enjoyed giving them a new life.
here is an example for you: http://furnitureflippin.blogspot.com/2013/09/north-west-is-so-three-months-ago.html
Maureen Hunt
The whole refashion is just perfect!
What do you think?
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