Outdoor Furniture MAKEOVER!

My parents gave me their old outdoor furniture when I moved in with John, and it was in pretty bad shape...

The green color was all worn out, and the seat cushions didn't match (I think one of them was a replacement for one that was lost...)

They definitely needed a face-lift!

First, the cushions.  A squirrel tried to take the stuffing out of the striped one on the right, and I really wanted both of the cushions to match.  I don't have a sewing machine (nor do I know how to use one), and my hand-sewing is okay (at best).  So I had to think of another option. 

John and I made a run to Goodwill and I found these brightly colored pillowcases!!  They were $1.99 for the pair, so I snatched them up.

I stuffed the pillows into the cases (they fit just about perfectly - woohoo!), then taped over the ends with extra-strength Gorilla tape (about $4).

I know - I'm so classy.

Fudge helped watch the process. ;)

Yes, it looks a bit silly from the bottom, but you won't see that part!  Also, I figured it'd be a bonus to have the pillowcases removable, because at the beginning of every year I could wash them and then just slide them back on again.  Pretty smart, huh?  I was pretty proud of myself for thinking of that.  Haha!

Next thing to do was to spray paint the furniture.

We went to Home Depot and got a couple of cans of purple outdoor spray paint.  I totally underestimated how much paint it would take - so I had to go back and get a couple more cans.  Everything below took 4 cans of spray paint total (that includes a partial 2nd coat on both chairs for any spots I missed the first time over).

I sprayed them in the garage (with the door open), but I will definitely use a mask next time!!  I didn't think of it initially, and I had purple boogers the rest of the day.  Probably not the safest idea, and I'm kicking myself now for not wearing one!

But the chairs turned out great!! 

4 cans of spray paint at about $4.50 a piece = $18.00!

I waited a full hour and a half or so for them to dry.... then.... 

.....VOILA!!!
The finished product! 

Don't they just look wonderful?!  I love the bright and happy colors they bring to the front porch now.  They look so amazing, and I feel like I got all new furniture - but the update only cost me a total of about $25.00.  It was SO EASY - and it just took a few hours' time to complete.

That's pretty darn awesome. :)

Here's a side-by-side picture just for fun!  What a difference, huh?? :)