An old chair doesn’t have to end its life in the trash heap. With a little imagination, it can take on a whole new role in your garden, adding charm and personality to your outdoor space.
A fresh coat of paint, a few basic tools, and some creativity are often all you need to give it a second life. You can turn them into planters, tables, swings, or even decorative accents that tell a story.
Each idea is simple to try, and the results are sure to bring a smile every time you step outside.
#1 DIY Spindle Wind Chimes
Give your garden a soft, melodic touch with wind chimes made from old chair spindles. A splash of colorful paint brings them to life, while light distressing adds a charming, weathered look.
Simply drill small holes in the tops, thread some fishing line, and attach them to a sturdy base. A decorative topper, like this sweet bird figure, makes it even more eye-catching.
Hang it where the breeze can catch it, and enjoy the gentle music it plays on sunny afternoons.
#2 Outdoor Side Table
Turn a worn-out chair into a simple yet charming outdoor side table by removing the backrest and keeping the sturdy seat. This little piece is perfect for holding your morning coffee, a good book, or even a potted plant.
Give the wood a quick sanding and either stain it for a rustic look or paint it for a pop of color. Since it’s lightweight, you can move it easily to your favorite sunny spot.
It’s a quick project that adds both function and personality to your garden seating area.
#3 Repurpose An Old Chair Back Into A Welcome Sign
Give your garden an inviting touch by turning an old chair back into a cheerful welcome sign. Attach a wooden planter box at the bottom and fill it with colorful blooms or trailing greenery.
A fresh coat of paint will brighten up the piece and protect it from the elements. You can hand-paint or stencil the word “Welcome” for a personal touch. Place it near your entryway or garden path to greet guests with charm and personality.
#4 Broken Chair Turned Succulent Planter
Transform the remains of a broken chair into a striking wall-mounted succulent display. Remove the seat, add a shallow planter or wire mesh base, and fill it with well-draining soil.
Succulents are perfect for this setup since they need little water and thrive in small spaces. Hang the piece on a fence or exterior wall where it gets plenty of sunlight.
The mix of rustic wood and lush greenery creates a charming focal point for your outdoor space.
#5 Flower Garden In Galvanized Tub On Half Of Old Chair
Turn a galvanized metal tub into a cheerful planter by placing it on top of a painted wooden stool. The stool adds height, making your flowers more visible and decorative, while the bright paint creates a fun pop of color.
You can enhance the tub’s charm with floral decals or hand-painted designs. This setup is perfect for patios, porches, or garden entryways, bringing a welcoming and vibrant touch to any outdoor space.
#6 DIY Vintage Garden Project
An old wooden chair gets a lively second life as a garden planter by removing its seat and replacing it with a planter box or soil bed. Painted in a vivid green, it pops beautifully among the colorful blooms of red, orange, and magenta flowers.
This creative upcycle not only adds height and charm to your garden but also turns a discarded piece of furniture into a cheerful, eye-catching focal point. Perfect for patios, garden corners, or front porches.
#7 Turn A Chair Into A Garden Planter And A Shelf
This creative upcycle turns an old wooden chair into two charming garden features.
The backrest, painted a soft pastel pink, is mounted on the wall with its seat transformed into a small shelf holding a white pitcher of flowers and two small potted plants.
Below, the chair’s seat frame is repurposed as a ground planter, filled with lush greenery and tiny decorative figurines. Together, they create a coordinated, whimsical garden display that’s both functional and decorative.
#8 Vintage Chair Drink Stand
This clever party setup transforms a vintage wooden chair into a charming drink cooler. The seat has been removed to fit a galvanized metal tub, filled with ice and colorful bottled sodas in shades of orange, yellow, and pink.
A small chalkboard sign reading “Drinks,” tied to the chair’s back with pastel ribbons, adds a playful touch.
Set against a red brick wall, this rustic yet functional piece is perfect for outdoor gatherings, combining vintage decor with practical refreshment storage.
#9 Transform Into New Chairs
These charming pieces repurpose old wooden stools into portable serving trays. The stool legs remain intact for stability, while the tops have rope handles threaded through each side, making them easy to carry.
The seats retain their weathered wood grain, with some featuring faint stenciled lettering for a vintage touch.
Paired with wooden crates holding fresh yellow and pink flowers, this setup creates a cozy outdoor atmosphere perfect for garden parties or rustic-themed events.
#10 Hanging Chair Tree Swing
This creative swing repurposes the backrest of a wooden chair into a charming hanging seat.
The legs have been removed, and the seat reinforced to hold weight, while thick natural ropes are securely threaded through the seat and backrest for stability.
Painted in crisp white, it blends beautifully into an outdoor setting, offering both function and a touch of whimsical charm, perfect for relaxing in a garden or backyard.
#11 Flower Planter
This weathered wooden chair has been transformed into a romantic garden planter.
The seat area has been removed or hollowed out to allow soil and plants to grow, making it a charming frame for the lush cluster of pink roses cascading through its structure.
Nestled among greenery, it blends seamlessly into the garden, giving the impression that the flowers have naturally claimed the chair over time. This piece exudes shabby-chic charm and adds a touch of storybook whimsy to the outdoor space.
#12 DIY Tree Bench Wrap Around Idea
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The seats of multiple chairs have been connected and reinforced to form a continuous hexagonal bench, all painted white for a clean, cohesive look. The backs of the chairs face outward, adding decorative detail while also providing structure.
This design offers a shaded, inviting spot to relax while making clever use of old furniture in an outdoor setting. It’s both functional seating and a charming garden feature.
#13 Turquoise Succulent Chair with chicken wire
The chair has been painted a vibrant turquoise blue, with its seat removed and replaced by a wire base lined with a planting medium to hold soil and succulents.
A variety of succulent species and decorative stones are arranged neatly, with some trailing plants hanging down the front for a cascading effect. The backrest has chicken wire, possibly for additional support or as a decorative feature.
It’s a creative example of upcycling old furniture into unique garden décor, functional as a plant display while adding a bold splash of color to the outdoor space.
#14 Garden Bench Made From Repurposed Chairs
Two wooden chairs have been painted a distressed blue and joined together, with their seats replaced by a single wider bench seat. The backs of the original chairs remain intact, giving the bench a unique, charming style.
On the seat is a green watering can and a rectangular planter box filled with white flowers, adding to the garden vibe. At the base, there’s a decorative statue of two small dogs.
It’s a perfect example of upcycling furniture to create functional and decorative outdoor seating.
#15 DIY Bird Bath Ideas
The chair’s seat has been replaced with a round terracotta saucer, perfect for holding water for birds or even as a shallow planter.
The backrest is a decorative wrought iron design with elegant swirls, painted white for a vintage look. Next to it is a small white garden stake topped with a bird figurine, adding to the whimsical, nature-friendly vibe.
It’s a clever way to give an old chair new life while adding both beauty and functionality to a garden space.