That’s right — Karl’s pale legs are a thing of the past. After thinking it over, we decided to refresh all 12 of the sectional’s cheap-looking birch legs with a coat of oil-rubbed bronze spray paint. The finish deepened the color, added a subtle sheen, and gave the legs more dimension than a flat brown paint ever could. The project was simple, though it did require a bit of disassembly. Poor guy.
Once the legs were removed, the process was straightforward: I sanded each one by hand with low-grit sandpaper (I used 60 grit that I already had on hand).
Although the legs looked raw at first glance, they actually had a clear factory finish on them (here’s one before sanding):
To ensure the new paint adhered well and lasted, I wanted a gritty, grippy surface. That’s why I sanded the legs first — it stripped the shine and left the wood feeling rough and ready for paint (paint always sticks better to a non-glossy surface). Here’s the same leg after sanding:
The change is subtle in photos, but you can see the finish removed and the wood looking more receptive to paint. Before spraying, I also peeled off the little fuzzy floor-protecting pads. I didn’t want them to get gunked up with paint. They came off easily and still had enough adhesive to be reattached afterward.
For the makeover I used Rust-Oleum Universal Metallic spray paint in oil-rubbed bronze with a trigger spray nozzle. It’s pretty fume-y, so I laid out cardboard, worked outside, and wore a mask the whole time.
Here are Karl’s legs after the first coat of their new “spray tan.” I applied three thin coats total to get even, drip-free coverage:
Here are a few practical spray-painting tips I follow:
- Skip the cheapest cans in favor of higher-quality spray paint — the better products go on thin and even and are less likely to make a mess.
- Keep your arm moving while you spray to avoid building up puddles of paint.
- Hold the nozzle about 8–10 inches from the surface for best results.
- A light mist is better than a heavy, wet coat.
- Multiple thin coats dry more smoothly and resist drips better than one thick coat.
- Spray paint still emits VOCs, so apply it outside with a mask and allow it to cure for the recommended time — usually 24 hours; we often wait longer for peace of mind.
- To further seal the finish and reduce any remaining off-gassing, consider two thin coats of a low-VOC sealer like Safecoat Acrylacq.
After three thin coats, I let the legs cure outdoors for 48 hours. They spent the first 12 hours in direct sun and the remaining time sheltered in the carport in case it rained. In the meantime our living room was a little disassembled:
For two days we enjoyed a very low sofa experience. Clara loved getting on and off without the legs attached, but maneuvering a low couch while holding a 20-pound baby wasn’t the most comfortable. Still, it was kind of fun for a while.
By the time I brought the newly bronzed legs inside, they were hard and dry — the oil-rubbed bronze finish had a sleek, almost coin-like hardness. It’s hard to capture in photos, but the finish has a metal-like sheen that shifts slightly with different angles of light. After 48 hours outside, they didn’t smell strongly of spray paint. If they had, I would have sealed them with two thin coats of Acrylacq as a final step.
All that remained was to stick the fuzzy pads back on the bottoms and cheer John on as he reattached the legs with his trusty Allen wrench. Karl was back in place — just a bit more handsome and dapper. It felt great to have the living room put back together again.
Notice how the side of the leg glimmers in the photo? That subtle metallic sheen is the advantage of oil-rubbed bronze over a flat brown paint or stain. It adds a little lift to the look. Of course, a stain or paint could have worked too — it’s all a matter of personal taste.
In lower light the legs read more like a deep chocolate wood stain, which we don’t mind at all.
For comparison, here’s a flashback to Karl’s original pale birch legs:
And here’s the sofa now. The change isn’t dramatic, but it refines the details and makes the legs feel less “cheap birch” and more intentional. And look how happy Beansie is about it — she’s thrilled to be on her favorite rug with a few toys.
We expect the room will look even more cohesive when we add matching oil-rubbed bronze curtain rods and other accessories, but for now we’re really pleased with how our giant sectional looks. A little sanding and spray paint went a long way to elevate the overall appearance.
Yay for small projects that make a big difference. If only my own pale legs were that easy to fix…
Psst—Check out the weirdest baby toy we’ve seen (Clara adores it).