Thrift Store Cane Back Chair Makeover

Thrift store cane back chair makeover ruffled dropcloth chair cushion

 

I was browsing my favorite antique store recently  when I came across this caned back chair that I couldn’t pass up. Knowing that the  desk chair I really wanted for my daughter’s bedroom makeover was just too far out of my budget right now, I decided that a thrift store chair makeover was in order.

thrifted cane back chair before

 

I paid $20 for this chair and was on my way.

cane back chair before

 

I had thought about recovering the cushion with some leftover dropcloth I had used on these fabric covered books. Then I got to thinking that I’d really like a ruffle on this cushion. I don’t sew and I never will so I started checking out Etsy*.

ruffled chair cover from FLOWINGS Etsy shop

 

I found this adorable ruffled cushion from the Etsy shop Flowings*. I contacted the shop owner to see if she could make something similar for me. I would need it customized for my chair due to the cane back which wouldn’t allow for the ties. Fortunately, she agreed.

I didn’t take photos as I went along on this chair makeover, but it’s very simple. First, I unscrewed the cushion from underneath the chair and removed it. I painted it white with Annie Sloan chalk paint. (If you ever have a design question, the answer is most likely white paint. It never fails!)  So I pulled out the chalk paint and lightened this piece right up. When that was fully dried, I sanded around the edges for a distressed look. Lastly, I sealed it with clear chalk paint wax.

$20 Thrifted chair makeover

 

As for the actual cushion, I removed the ugly floral fabric and recovered it with a dropcloth. Even though you can’t see it with the ruffled dropcloth cover, I feel better knowing that it’s cleaned up with new fabric. In this shot you can see the distressing I did around the edges of the chair.

thrifted caned back chair makeover for $20

 

This ruffled cushion cover really makes the whole chair.

Thrift store cane back chair makeover for $20

 

I plan to attach it to the cushion underneath with a little velcro to keep it from sliding around.

burlap dropcloth ruffled chair cushion

 

I now have a desk chair for my daughter’s room and I didn’t have to spend $350 to get it. It may not be an exact knock-off but I’m happy with it! A big thanks to Flowings Etsy shop for sponsoring the beautiful ruffled cushion for this post!

UPDATE: See my daughter’s bedroom makeover here!

*This is a sponsored post and may contain affiliate links. All opinions are 100% my own, you can read my full disclosure here.

Thrift store chair makeover with ruffled dropcloth cushion. This white chair got a major furniture makeover! #furniture #furnituremakeover #thrifty

$20 Thrift store chair makeover with ruffled dropcloth cushion cover.

7 Comments

  1. This is an awesome makeover! I love how it turned out! I saw a similar chair at a yard sale last weekend, now I’m wishing I would have picked it up!

    1. Thank you Krista, I’m sure you’ll find another cane back chair around. I see them often!

  2. Love it. Good job. Can’t wait to see finished room.

  3. What a beautiful transformation! I wasn’t sure what you were going to do with it at first and you did a great job.

  4. I really like this look! I have a hallway that needs something, and this just might be what it needs! Thanks for sharing at Totally Terrific Tuesday!

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