After reading every one of the 750+ suggestions you left on that post, and weighing a million possibilities, we ultimately followed our first instinct: a cheerful turquoise-teal. It felt right with the rest of the house and offered a lively pop without feeling over the top.
Here’s how we transformed those basic $32 metal stools from the online supply store into colorful, durable seating that ties the kitchen into the rest of our home.
Many of you voted blue (with yellow close behind), and there were tons of creative ideas — multiple colors, upholstered seats, dipped legs, ombré effects, and more. Before sharing our options we were already leaning toward turquoise or teal, partly because we’ve used bold colors throughout the house: green chairs in the office, a yellow highchair for Clara, and other bright accents room to room. Once our rug arrived, we decided to trust our gut and pick the color we liked best.
Given the kitchen’s neutral backdrop — white cabinets and counters, gray tile, and brown floors — almost any accent color would have worked. We chose Tropical Oasis by Valspar in a gloss finish because it has a muted quality with some gray in the undertone, which complements the gray tile and the scalloped rug without clashing. To keep the overall look simple and graphic, we painted the veneer-like brown seat the same turquoise as the frame so the stools read as one unified piece rather than a busy mix of brown and color.
We love how the new color relates to the dark teal built-ins in the dining room without being too matchy. It also ties into the subtle turquoise in the ikat curtains and the little pops of color on the open shelves. I’m even tempted to pare back some other bright accessories so the stools can be the main focal point; many inspirational photos of colored stools show them against relatively neutral surroundings so they really stand out. We’ll keep adjusting accessories as the room evolves.
The bright stools are a particularly effective upgrade when viewed from the stove side of the kitchen. That wall used to read a bit flat, and now it feels lively without being chaotic. Overall the kitchen now feels more in sync with the rest of our house, where bolder accents appear in each renovated room: a teal guest room with a yellow rug, a gray living room with a green rug, a pink nursery with floral curtains, and more.
We were comfortable choosing a bold color because the worst outcome would be repainting. Fortunately, the paint job turned out well and the veneer-like seats accepted the paint nicely so the finished pieces look even and durable.
How we did it:
1) Sanded all surfaces with 300-grit sandpaper. This scuffs the finish and gives the paint a better surface to adhere to.
2) Wiped everything with a liquid deglosser. That removed sanding dust and prepared the metal for primer and paint. We used a no-VOC deglosser we already had on hand.
3) Set the stools outside on a tarp and cardboard to prevent legs from sinking into the grass and to ensure even spray coverage.
4) Applied thin, even coats of spray primer. Spraying metal in thin coats helps avoid drips and produces a smooth, durable base.
5) Sprayed several thin coats of color. We used thin, misty applications so the paint built up evenly without runs. It took about five light coats to achieve full, consistent coverage.
6) Allowed ample curing time. The stools sat in the sun for 24 hours, then in a sealed sunroom for two more days to off-gas and fully cure before bringing them inside. Proper curing helps painted metal hold up well for years.
Budget breakdown:
- 3 cans of primer + 3 cans of spray paint = $29
- 300-grit sandpaper and liquid deglosser = $0 (we already owned these; they may cost about $6 if purchased)
- TOTAL: $29 (about $7 of paint supplies per $32 stool)
Time breakdown:
- Sanding and deglossing = 1 hour
- Priming = 1.5 hours
- Painting = 1.5 hours
- TOTAL: roughly 4 hours (spread across multiple sessions to fit around naps and curing time)
Clara inspected them right away and declared “blue stool! so pretty! like a princess!” which was delightful. The kitchen feels more complete now, and the stools have already made everyday tasks — like proofing book pages — feel a little more cheerful. We’ll report back on how the finish holds up over time, but painted metal, when prepared and applied correctly, can look great for many years.
Have you been updating furniture with primer or spray paint lately? Ever used a liquid deglosser? It may sound intimidating, but it’s a helpful product for prepping glossy or smooth surfaces for paint.