How I Transformed a $30 Thrift-Store Egg Chair into a Stylish Corner Accent

I finally carried out my plan to rescue an egg chair from a thrift store — and give it a fresh new look. Yes, I couldn’t resist an ovum-related pun. This $30 find looked a little tired and dated in person, partly because the caning was missing from both sides of the frame. A quick clean, a coat of primer and spray paint, and the chair had a whole new attitude.

Cleaning and Painting

First I wiped the frame with a liquid deglosser to remove grime and old finish. After that I primed and sprayed with a satin white Rust-Oleum Universal paint. In photos the original orangey-wood tone didn’t look terrible, but in the room it felt out of sync. Painting it white made the chair feel fresher and lighter, and it will be easy to repaint again later if we decide on glossy black, soft mocha, or a cheerful accent color.

Placement and Styling Choices

I plan to keep the chair tucked into a living room corner that already has a large colorful rug and bright pillows, so a clean white finish helps it blend rather than compete. I intentionally chose a neutral paint and will add personality with cushions and throws. After letting the paint dry outside for a few days and then airing it in the sunroom to remove any lingering fumes, I brought the chair inside to try out a few looks.

Cushioning Options and Seasonal Ideas

Initially I used spare seat cushions covered with white towels as placeholders—yes, literal towels—to get a sense of the white-on-white look. Then I tried a faux sheepskin for a plush feel. Our dog immediately claimed the spot, offering instant approval, but on a hot day the sheepskin felt too warm for me. It will likely come back for colder months, while lightweight faux fur and decorative pillows will work better for summer. Right now I’ve got a small faux-fur pillow on the seat and a bunny pillow at the back for a playful, temporary arrangement.

Family Reactions

Burger, our dog, wasted no time settling into the chair. He was in the seat within seconds and seemed perfectly comfortable sharing the space with the bunny pillow. Clara gave the chair a try as well. She enjoys it but isn’t obsessed—her toys still hold the upper hand. She did sit there to look at an animal book, content to read “with the rabbit and the dog,” which made for a sweet moment.

Comfort, Design, and Safety

The strappy shape of the chair is one of my favorite features. From above you can see how the slatted design envelopes the sitter like a hammock without the sag—solid and supportive so you don’t feel precarious. The chair swivels smoothly and provides good back support up to the shoulder blades, which makes it both cozy and practical. Some readers wondered whether Clara could get her head stuck between the slats. In our experience the slat spacing is such that she either can’t fit her head in, or she could fit her whole body through, which isn’t something we encourage. So far there have been no issues.

Final Thoughts and Cost

For now, the chair remains styled with what we already had on hand. In the long term I’ll likely pick up a proper white seat cushion for the bottom and possibly one for the back to make the chair feel more finished. The bunny pillow may stick around because I like it. Altogether, the chair plus the paint and supplies brought the total to about $37 — a great value for a unique swivel chair that doubles as sculptural seating.

Have you rescued any secondhand chairs lately, or experimented with small rugs and faux sheepskins for seasonal updates? I’m always curious how others refresh thrift-store finds and what items pets inexplicably claim as their own.

Note: A recent update about Clara’s antics is available on our family blog. She keeps delivering funny moments and growing into her comedic timing.