How to Spray Paint Dark Kitchen Chairs

May 24, 2011

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How to brighten up your dark kitchen chairs or stools with spray paint!

I was just a tad bit obsessed with spray paint last weekend. I had a wicked case of spray paint trigger finger by Sunday evening, there was so much spraying going on.

This little project started with a lovely inspiration photo I found online of bright white chairs in a kitchen – I’m all about contrast, and I loved them against the warm wood cabinets.

I knew what I had to do. Spray paint action!

We’ve had black chairs at our island for a while now:

black island black chairs

I decided to see how they looked in white, and figured if I hated it I could always go back to black. But I don’t hate them. I LOVE. :)

I started by giving the chairs a quick sanding. Let me tell you -- I hate sanding with a deep burning passion, but because these get so much wear, I figured it was necessary. It was SO quick though – it took less than five minutes per chair:

You just need enough to scuff up the finish to give the paint a little somethin’ extra to hold to.

Then I gave them all a good cleaning. There are cleaning products just to prep furniture for paint, but a basic cleaner will work just fine: 

(Please ignore our deck in desperate need of restaining.)

After a really good wipe down, I started the priming. I used two cans total – Zinsser and basic Valspar primer:

Both worked great. The Zinsser didn’t cover quite as well as the Valspar, but it’s supposed to be a better quality primer. I’m sure they both will hold up just fine.

I primed those chairs within an inch of their lives. ;) I could barely see black through the primer when I was done, which made for an easy final coat of the white paint.

Before the white, I did some touching up. The chairs are from Garden Ridge and were a DEAL – but they aren’t the best quality. There were lots of spots that had some crackle:

I used my trusty caulk and covered all of those not-so-pretty spots. It worked GREAT.

After the caulk dried, I did one final coat of Rustoleum white spray paint:

rustoleum satin white

I used a satin finish so they weren’t too shiny, but they can still be wiped down.

Then put the seats back on:

And I had fallen in luuurve. :)

I swear you notice the beadboard on the island more now:

Gleeeee!

I love how they pull in the white of the backsplash, woodwork and the pretty pitcher on the island.

spray painted chairs

And I love how they look with the green seat fabric.

Did I mention I LOVE? :)

It always kills me how a simple change like paint can completely change a space. It’s brightened our kitchen by 100 watts!

And because I have to show how far our kitchen island has come every. single. time. – the before:

island before

Just a few short years ago!

And the after:

black island white chairs

ACK! I big fat heart you spray paint! Hollllla! You are one of my many BFFs! :)

Do YOU believe in the power of spray paint?

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May 24, 2011

Comments

  1. Kelly @ View along the wayMay 25, 2011 at 12:06 AM

    Wow, HUGE change - especially from the "WAY before" shot. I LOVE the white!

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  2. Myra @ The Casabella ProjectMay 25, 2011 at 12:06 AM

    WOW! What an amazing difference! It makes the kitchen looks brighter and lighter! Score! :)

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  3. Lizette@http://justourlovelylife.blogspot.com/May 25, 2011 at 12:10 AM

    Wow! They look great! I love your blog. You give me inspiration every day!

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  4. Simply Created by ColeMay 25, 2011 at 12:10 AM

    It looks great! You have a beautiful home!

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  5. Korrie@RedHenHomeMay 25, 2011 at 12:14 AM

    Love it! Love the contrast with the black chairs at the table, and you're absolutely right...the beadboard is much more noticeable now.

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  6. Melissa @ The Inspired RoomMay 25, 2011 at 12:14 AM

    They look fabulous! Way to go girl!

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  7. JessieMay 25, 2011 at 12:21 AM

    Love the new painted version of your barstools. And I love your kitchen transformation, from average to beautiful!

    Jessie
    www.mixandchic.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. MellodeeMay 25, 2011 at 12:22 AM

    White chairs look great, but if it were me, I'd have to go white with the table chairs and the pantry door....at which point my husband would probably kill me! :)

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  9. Brittany ElizabethMay 25, 2011 at 12:26 AM

    I've been really needing to redo our kitchen chairs with a nice coat of spray paint. What kind of sander do you use?

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  10. Tonya @ Love of Family And HomeMay 25, 2011 at 12:35 AM

    LOVE your new chairs!! It really does make your space so much more bright & cheerful!! Spray paint rocks!!

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  11. Brown Paper PackagesMay 25, 2011 at 12:35 AM

    Looks great! I've been drooling over your island set up for a long time!

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  12. Thelittlebrownhouse.usMay 25, 2011 at 1:01 AM

    I love them!! And I can't believe the difference in your before and after shots!! I have been so into white lately - wanting to put it in every room in my house!! So clean and fresh!

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  13. DebraMay 25, 2011 at 1:07 AM

    I love the white, it looks so good!

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  14. driftwoodesignMay 25, 2011 at 1:09 AM

    Brilliant!!
    Kristy @ 4 the love of WOOD

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  15. HavenMay 25, 2011 at 1:13 AM

    It looks perfect!!!! What a great idea...LOVE it!

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  16. Little Miss Penny WennyMay 25, 2011 at 1:27 AM

    gorgeous!!!

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  17. TiffanyMay 25, 2011 at 1:50 AM

    Looks AWESOME! :)
    I am a spray paint believer! Just painted my gold leaf-ish, 10 year old lamp today...WHITE! :) Soooo much better.

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  18. Lisa SummerhaysMay 25, 2011 at 1:56 AM

    Fabulous! It really makes a big difference. Love the fabric choice too!

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  19. AdrienMay 25, 2011 at 2:13 AM

    Not gonna lie, I was nervous for you, but I LOVE the transformation! They look amazing!

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  20. JulieMay 25, 2011 at 4:32 AM

    Love clever girls! The chairs are great!

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  21. ::The Beetle Shack::May 25, 2011 at 5:51 AM

    This is amazing! I have dining chairs that need this treatment- now i'll have the confidence to do it! I'll post some pics when its done!

    thanks so much

    xo em

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  22. Donna @ arentedhaven.blogspot.comMay 25, 2011 at 6:39 AM

    I love it! It must have been chair redo weekend - I repainted three of mine. You inspire me every day!

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  23. S and KMay 25, 2011 at 6:41 AM

    Can you say " L O V E" that is so awesome looking!!! Love the contrast love it!!!!!!!!

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  24. LoriMay 25, 2011 at 7:17 AM

    Amazing transformation. It really brightens the kitchen.

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  25. UnknownMay 25, 2011 at 7:31 AM

    Seriously awesome! Thanks for sharing!

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  26. Bonnie@Creative DecoratingMay 25, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    The chairs look great and your kitchen looks as good as the inspiration kitchen! Awesome!

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  27. ashley @ the handmade homeMay 25, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    rock on with you and your bad spray paint self! love it!

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  28. AnonymousMay 25, 2011 at 8:09 AM

    What a difference!!! I can't believe it, looove the new chairs & the seat cushion looks even better with the white, beautiful job yet again! :-D

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  29. BrandiMay 25, 2011 at 8:12 AM

    Wow! Such an amazing difference!

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  30. Miss ObaraMay 25, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    I love spray paint too, so much so I need to purchase a 'sprayer'. But, i'd probably spray anything that stood still!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

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  31. JennyMay 25, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    Wow!! LOVE it too!! Looks awesome! I love your island - did you redo the original one or replace it? Our island is identical to your original and I realllly love yours now!!! Thanks!

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  32. BrookeMay 25, 2011 at 8:39 AM

    LOOKS GREAT!! I have very similar chairs from Target, and I think that'll be one of my first summer projects:)

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  33. KatMossMay 25, 2011 at 8:58 AM

    They look wonderful - as all your projects do! I have to thank you for turning me on to spray paint after I started reading your blog. I'd honestly NEVER tried it, even though I've been painting furniture for YEARS. I think I was a spray paint snob and thought I was too good for it. Well, no more!! I have a HUGE collection of spray paints and love me some ORB!

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  34. KaraMay 25, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    I just pinned the HECK out of this post on Pinterest! Totally painting our bar stools white ASAP! :)

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  35. SuzanneMay 25, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    It's really because of you Sarah that I'm addicted to spray paint.

    And to craigslist too! I found a darling headboard on craigslist I have a bottle of primer and white spray paint waiting to spray it. I CANNOT wait.

    Patience, patience...we've had a lot of rain in our parts. So I'm waiting for a good day to go spray paint-crazy outside!

    Love the stools. I agree, the white totally works! :)

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  36. Julia @ Hooked on HousesMay 25, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    I can't believe how much a simple change like that lightens up the space! Love it.

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  37. MeganMay 25, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    Perfection! Good call! I love white and bright kitchens. That looks really great.

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  38. KarenMay 25, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    What a difference, they look great and really brightened the space up.

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  39. AnonymousMay 25, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    I love the white chairs!

    ?... How is your butcher block countertop holding up? Do you have any advice to keeping it look nice? How do you clean it? Does it have worn spots? Do you use place mats? I'm thinking of changing my island...and am still skeptical. THANKS so much
    !

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  40. AlishaMay 25, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    Thank you for actually taking a picture of each product you used -- that is the one thing I wish more bloggers did! As a visual learner, that is so helpful. Love the transformation! And PS, my eyes went to that black beadboard first thing!

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  41. AnonymousMay 25, 2011 at 10:17 AM

    HAHA! This line
    "ACK! I big fat heart you spray paint! Hollllla!"
    Seriously had me laughing out loud at work.

    The chairs look awesome!

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  42. LorieMay 25, 2011 at 10:18 AM

    I love you and spray paint together. You are quite the couple!

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  43. InMyOwnStyleMay 25, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    Hi Sarah-

    I love the contrast of the white with your black accents - it really brightens up the whole look of your kitchen and accents the black now not just the beadboard, but your pantry door too. I can see why you love it.

    My best- Diane

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  44. Christa @ BrownSugarToastMay 25, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    This is beautiful!!!!!!! WOW! looks awesome! The spray paint trigger finger was totally worth it (says the person who didn't have to deal with the pain) ;) great job! thanks for the inspiration!

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  45. MindyMay 25, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    I was scuuuurd. I was peeking through squinted eyes as I scrolled down to the reveal. I loved the black. But I love the white even more! I LOVE THEM! You're right, spray paint is bottled heaven.

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  46. Michelle @ Ten JuneMay 25, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    Oh my gosh, amazing job, girl! You're right, it looks sooo good with the contrast. I love me some spraypaint too!!! xo

    ReplyDelete
  47. Kari May 25, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    Love this!! What is funny is that your inspiration on Pinterest looks almost exactly like your kitchen only in whites!!

    Great job as always!

    Kari

    ReplyDelete
  48. Rust-Oleum ScottMay 25, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    What a fantastic project. Your chairs turned out great! Terrific job and thank you so much for using Rust-Oleum. Keep it up!

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  49. JJ in IdahoMay 25, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    Sarah~ I've been blog-stalking you for about 2 months now and just LOVE your ideas and your spunky style of writing. Thanks for opening your home and your heart to us via this crazy thing called the web. I have never spray painted anything but have it on my to-do list for this weekend thanks in part to your tips and inspiration. I pinned your kitchen picture to my pinterest board since we are planning a re-do soon. Love your home and ideas -- and your JOY!

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  50. JCMay 25, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    Amazing what a few cans of spray paint can do! Love the difference! Looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  51. shawnee23May 25, 2011 at 12:32 PM

    I actually suggested this to you months ago..so I'm taking credit;) Love the chairs white! So light and airy...but I would change the black on the island. Too much contrast with the white chairs against the black. Love the inspiration photo,thanks!

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  52. AdrienneMay 25, 2011 at 12:36 PM

    The chairs are gorgeous, they look brand new and the fabric seats really pop now. Question--I see a lot of bloggers using spray paint as opposed to regular paint. What is the difference? Whenever I use spray paint I feel like I waste the whole can, and the paint is pricey. I haven't done much furniture painting so I'm a novice so just wondering the pros and cons.

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  53. KayeMay 25, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    WOW, what a difference. Like a breath of fresh air; and I thought I liked the black.....

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  54. UnknownMay 25, 2011 at 1:09 PM

    That looks amazing!! such a change- and you are right - it makes the beadboard much more noticable!

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  55. Lettered CottageMay 25, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    You did it! Yay! They look great!
    :-D

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  56. Lindsey AdeleMay 25, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    I am in lust with your chairs.

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  57. Amanda @ Serenity NowMay 25, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    Um, YES!!!! Fab-u-lous, Sarah!! Love the pop of white...it really is nice looking. :)

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  58. AnonymousMay 25, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    Just an FYI.. I saw a very similar white vase/pitcher to the beauty you have on your table for only $12.99 at Ikea!!

    http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80148465

    ReplyDelete
  59. OlgaMay 25, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    Who doesn't love before and afters? and yours looks great! I love the crisp white against the black island! :)

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  60. Alicia@Thrifty And ChicMay 25, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    I have the same inspiration photo! Love it! Your chairs turned out simple amazing and I can totally sympathize with you on the spray paint finger. Gotta love it though!

    ReplyDelete
  61. StellaMay 25, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    WOW ! WOW! WOW! They look great !!!

    I love the white.

    Is there a tutorial on your butcher block island?

    Thank you
    Stella

    ReplyDelete
  62. LisaMay 25, 2011 at 5:25 PM

    WOW, I love this! I am sooo inspired! We have dark wood in our kitchen with light granite counters. We need to buy our bar stools and you have me contemplating how I can convince my husband to buy white or off white stools. I love this contrast - thanks for sharing!

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  63. CatherineMay 25, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    Love them. They just pop ... and the fabric shows up so much more. Terrific decision.

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  64. Sissie's Shabby CottageMay 25, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    I love your chairs painted white, they are perfect.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  65. JenMay 25, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    I have dark cabinets and love them but lately I lust after the white kitchens. That pic you posted seems like an epiphany for me. I read often and don't post but I enjoy your blog very much. I have some kitchen stools like yours and I may just break out the spray paint one of these days!

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  66. Jen@BigBrownChairMay 25, 2011 at 11:13 PM

    I love the WHITE chairs! you are so inspiring! thank you for sharing the "caulk the cracks" trick.

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  67. AnonymousMay 25, 2011 at 11:52 PM

    Just simply GORGEOUS!!!!!!!


    Marilyn

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  68. April @ just enough sparkleMay 26, 2011 at 1:31 AM

    Spray paint IS amazing! I LOVE the chairs in white, too...the fun green fabric just POPS against them.

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  69. Tanya AnuragMay 26, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    When I saw the black chairs. I wanted to tell you- "Please, don't do that... it looks just fine the way it is!" but after seeing the end result I told myself- "This chick knows what she is doing!"

    Undoubtedly, the white chairs look so good and so different. Love the green fabric on the chair. The brightness those white chairs have added to the room is simply amazing!!

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  70. Kim @ NewlyWoodwardsMay 26, 2011 at 9:53 AM

    I love the chairs in white! Can I just tell you, it's a miracle in my book that you could look at that great photo and pick out one thing for your house. When I see lovely photos, I don't know that I see the details. I think that's a gift!

    ReplyDelete
  71. LisaMay 26, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    You have great taste in music - remember this? http://youtu.be/ZDPIK7Fz_g4

    ReplyDelete
  72. Sara NeufeldMay 26, 2011 at 5:41 PM

    they. look. awesome.
    i heart your kitchen.

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  73. Rebecca @ Remade HomeMay 26, 2011 at 8:14 PM

    Oh I love that change! The white chairs drew my eye right in and made the molding around the pantry really pop too. Love it! :)

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  74. Miss Mustard SeedMay 27, 2011 at 7:30 AM

    I love the white chairs. They look great in the space. Your new mantle arrangement is fabulous as well. That mirror makes all the difference.

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  75. AnonymousMay 27, 2011 at 9:34 AM

    I LOVE SPRAY PAINT!!!!!!!!!! All my friends used to think i was crazy and now they all call me for spray paint tips once they see what a transformation. I love the stools white, really makes you notice the bead board. My island is similar but the bead board is white and I am now going to paint it after seeing yours.

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  76. BeckyMay 27, 2011 at 9:36 AM

    I forgot to say that I LOVE the new mantel arrangement. It feels so much lighter. I'm going to do a letter for my mom using crushed lavendar, thanks for the inspiration

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  77. JulieMay 29, 2011 at 8:52 PM

    I love it, and I think it does make the backsplash bead board so much more noticeable (and I LOVED -- lurved? -- that change when you made it). However, if it were me, I'd be thinking of painting the island bead board white too. It's really lighten up the kitchen and make it that much more like the inspiration photo!

    ReplyDelete
  78. UnknownJune 2, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    LURVE! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  79. UnknownMay 1, 2012 at 3:32 PM

    I absolutely love this barstool makeover! I featured your photo and linked it back to your blog on my blog today! It is www.stylewithwisdom.blogspot.com! Thank you so much for sharing!

    ReplyDelete

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You can find our paint colors and links to items at the "Our Home" tab at the top of my site.

THANKS so much for reading!