This was such a fun, simple project that instantly put a smile on my face.
I finally refinished the old wooden highchair my mom gave me almost a year ago — the same chair she used as a child. It had spent years in storage, covered in paint splatters and smelling musty, so I’d been waiting for the right time to bring it back to life. Now that Clara can sit in a chair comfortably without a lap belt, it felt like the perfect moment to get the job done.
I considered a lot of refinishing options before starting:
- Sanding and staining to preserve the wood look
- Spraying it white or black for a classic finish
- Going bright — turquoise, navy, lime, yellow, or an orange-red
When I thought about where the chair would be used the most — the dining room table, the kitchen peninsula, and the small living room table by the window — John and I decided a bright, happy yellow would be the best fit. Yellow already pops in a few places in our home and blends well with the existing palette, so it felt cheerful and practical.
- Our front door is yellow, and that pop of color looks great when the door is open.
- We have yellow accents in the kitchen that brighten the neutral tones.
- Yellow accessories in the living room bring a playful, cohesive touch.
Because the chair is quite old and had a number of paint splatters, I skipped sanding to avoid disturbing any potential lead paint. Instead I opted to prime and paint over the surface. I used three very light, even coats of spray primer, keeping the can moving and maintaining a distance of roughly 8–12 inches to avoid drips. Using thin layers helps the finish lay down smoothly and reduces the risk of runs or uneven texture.
For primer and base, I used a spray paint that includes primer in the can — a satin white — which I’ve had good results with before. The built-in primer created a good base for topcoats and helped the bright color adhere and appear evenly. Once the white base dried, I applied several thin, even coats of a sun yellow spray paint to reach full, vibrant coverage. I’ve used this shade on smaller projects before and find it to be a reliably cheerful yellow that photographs and reads well in rooms.
After painting, I left the chair outside for two sunny days so it could cure, occasionally bringing it inside the sunroom at night to prevent any unexpected dew or rain from affecting the finish. Once it was dry to the touch and the paint smell had dissipated, I let it rest in the sunroom with windows open for an extra 48 hours before bringing it into the living space. Allowing paint to fully cure before heavy use is the simplest way to avoid scuffs and dents, especially when a toddler will be using the piece.
The finished chair has a glossy, durable surface that wipes clean easily and stands up to everyday use. Gloss paint does reveal imperfections more readily than flatter finishes, so taking care to spray thin coats and maintaining a steady hand are important steps. If a small drip appears, sanding it lightly between coats can help smooth the final surface.
Introducing the chair to Clara was the best part. As soon as she saw it and I told her it was her new big-girl chair, she lit up and tried to climb right in. She needed a little help getting settled, but once she was seated she beamed with pride. She sang a few happy songs and seemed genuinely delighted — it felt almost like giving her a special toy or a milestone reward.
Seeing my mom’s reaction was touching too; she loved how the chair looked restored and said the yellow was perfect for Clara while remaining gender-neutral enough for future children. It’s rewarding to hand down a family piece and give it a new life that the next generation can enjoy. The chair now carries the history of the family while fitting naturally into our home’s color story.
This project was my little “get on that already” accomplishment for the week and it cleared out another item from the playroom, which is always satisfying. If you’re thinking about refinishing a sentimental or small wooden piece, consider a bright color that complements your home and remember that patient, light coats and adequate curing time make all the difference in achieving a durable, attractive finish.