I keep finding old chairs that nobody wants. Last month I grabbed two at a garage sale for $5 total. One had a cracked seat. The other looked like it came out of a 90s kitchen. Both were real wood, so I brought them home. I’ve been messing with different upcycle old chair ideas ever since, and a few stuck.
You don’t need fancy tools. A drill, a saw, sandpaper, and some paint get you through most of these.
1. Upcycle Old Chair Ideas as a Garden Planter
Take the broken seat boards out so you’re left with the frame. Sand the rough spots and paint it with outdoor paint. Drop in a plastic liner or an old plastic basket, then fill it with dirt. I put one by the fence with some trailing plants. It sits there and doesn’t tip over when the wind picks up. Looks better than another plastic pot.
2. Two Chairs Into an Entryway Bench
I used the two chairs I bought. Pulled the seats off, cut a couple of 2x4s, and screwed the chairs together through the legs. Then I cut some boards for the top and screwed those on. Painted everything the same light gray so they matched. I stuck a cushion on it and put a couple of baskets underneath for shoes. It’s by the front door now. People sit on it when they come in. Hasn’t fallen apart yet.
3. Chair Back as a Coat Rack
Cut the legs off one chair, leaving only the back. Sanded the cut ends. Screwed three hooks onto the bottom rail. Then I mounted it on the wall by the door with long screws into the studs. Holds coats and bags. It’s a little crooked on one side, but it works.
4. Chair as a Nightstand
A chair with a flat seat works fine next to the bed if you don’t have much space. I sanded one and painted it beige. Put a lamp and a couple of books on the seat. The back stays open so it doesn’t feel like it eats the room. Does the job.
5. Chair Back as a Towel Rack
Sawed the front legs and seat off a spindle chair. Mounted the back piece on the bathroom wall. Towels hang on the bars. It’s in the guest bathroom. Looks more normal than a store-bought metal rack once you get used to it.
6. Short Chair as a Pet Feeder
A low chair works for this. I measured the bowls, traced the circles on the seat, and cut them out with a jigsaw. Dropped the bowls in. My dog eats slower now, and the food stays off the floor. Make sure the chair is solid so it doesn’t tip when the dog leans on it.
7. Paint It and Keep It as a Chair
If the frame is still good, you don’t have to turn it into something else. Sand the bad spots, wipe it down, and paint it. Chalk paint covers a lot without much sanding. I did one in a soft green. If the seat is wrecked, staple on some foam and fabric. Add a clear coat so the paint doesn’t chip right away. Now it’s just a regular chair again that doesn’t look beat up.
Before You Start
Check if the joints are loose. If the chair rocks, fill the gaps with wood glue and clamp it overnight. Wipe off any grease first. 120-grit sandpaper is usually enough. After paint, a clear topcoat helps it last. Wooden chairs hold up better than most of the cheap stuff sold now, so it’s worth fixing the ones that are still solid.
These upcycle old chair ideas aren’t perfect. Mine have a few filled holes and one crooked cut. They still get used. If you’ve got old chairs sitting around, pick one and start sanding. The rest is pretty easy once you get going.
