This California heat wave is summer’s way of telling us it’s here to stay for at least a few more weeks. And that means more time spent outdoors, whether it be at a picnic, concert or backyard BBQ. Since portable folding chairs are a constant must-have for those warm nights, I thought it would be fun to add some personality to them by way of color. Taking Glidden® paint’s My Life, My Color quiz helped me narrow down some bold and bright color choices – I loved each of them so much I might even end up using a couple for future home projects!

You’ll need:

• Glidden Exterior Paint (I used Minty Green, Juicy Cantaloupe, Blooming Fuchsia & Pink Salmon)
• a wooden folding chair
• painter’s tape
• 3 paint brushes
• a ruler
• a pencil

Start by making sure the surface of the chair is clean and smooth. If not, then lightly sanding and wiping clean with a washcloth is recommended. Then, mark the middle of the top of the chair’s seat with a ruler and measure approximately 3 inches to the right and left of the center mark. Do the same with the bottom of the chair’s seat and draw a line between them using the ruler. This will be the middle stripe.

Place premium painter’s tape along the pencil line and be sure to press firmly on the sides of the tape to prevent leaks.

Since the next stripe will measure approximately 1 inch each, measure another 1/2 inch from the outside of the painter’s tape to create space for the third stripe. Tape the back of the chair and the underside of the chair.

Paint in the taped off center area with the first color. 

Allow the paint to dry for at least an hour before applying a second coat.

Now apply the third color to the smaller taped off area. Apply a second coat.

Remove the tape immediately before the paint dries. Allow to fully dry for a few hours before taping off the second stripe. Carefully line the tape along the painted edges. It’s best not to cover the painted edge completely as this will leave a colorless gap when painting the second stripe.

Paint the second stripe with a third color. Apply a second coat and remove the tape immediately.

Have fun mixing up the color combinations!

Enjoy your newly painted chairs!

(images by HonestlyWTF)