I found this cute outdoor couch at a flea market with Elsie about 3-4 months ago. I'd been meaning to give it a little TLC, as it wasn't in the best condition when I bought it.
The "bones" of the couch were really cute! I could immediatley picture this looking really great and adding extra seating to my back deck. When I bought it the structure was pretty dingy and showed a lot of wear. Also the seat cushions were not all-weather friendly. If this couch was left out in the rain, I could see the seats being soggy for days afterward. Not ideal for outdoor furniture. 
The first step I took to giving this little couch new life was to remove the cushions and give the overall structure a fresh coat of paint. I used Valspar's (spray) paint for plastic in white. If the structure hadn't been mostly white to begin with I would have painted on a few coats of primer first. But since it was already white, it didn't need this added step. If you're working on outdoor furniture always check that your paint choices are outdoor friendly and will be able to hold up against the elements for a reasonable amount of time. I imagine in a few years this will need another fresh coat of paint. But since it only took one can of paint and about 30 minutes of time, I GUESS I can manage that every few years. 🙂
Next I needed to update the cushions to be more outdoor friendly. First off, if your budget works to get a project professionally reupholstered I highly recommend it. Espeically if you are a novice at reupholstering (you can't see it but I'm raising my hand right now). But if your project is pretty simple, on a small budget then don't be afraid to go for it. I choose to cover my cushion with oil cloth that I bought on Etsy. It helped me to think of each cushions like wrapping a birthday present. I started on two opposite ends, pulling the fabric tight before I stapled it (with a staple gun) to the underside of the cusion. Then I moved on to the other two edges, folding the edges in and pulling it tight before stapling.
I really loved how this simple update turned out. I'm excited to enjoy a cup of coffee on my back deck, sitting on my "new" couch. Thanks for letting me share. xo. Emma
83 Comments
Oh wow what a transformation!
Lologlitter.blogspot.com
Impressive! It looks like a great area for outdoor entertaining, and I love the wooden tables.
M.
Really like this
This is amazing! I love it!
Nicky
zeeblikesit@blogspot.com
xx
Super cute idea! I’ve definitely picked out items that are ready to be trashed and experimented on them-(just did it recently with a steamer trunk!) whats the worst that can happen, right? The result really looks great!
-Stacey www.lifeimitatingartblog.com
That’s really gorgeous! Love it for an outdoor space.
Is there a label on it that says Lloyd Loom at all? It’s a famous British brand who pioneered this kind of woven furniture… It’s actually made from tightly twisted and corded paper, so if it is indeed Lloyd Loom, you might want to bring it inside on rainy days, even with a coat of paint. It would be so sad if it succumbed to the elements :))
I LOVE these posts!
This is gorgeous! I need a new couch for my patio – maybe I will go see what I can find.
Very cool! Love the gold stripes!
Gypsy Plunder Vintage (15% Off Sale)
What a pretty result!
It looks amazing. Great job! 🙂
What a transformation! Love the cushions too 🙂
Rosie x | Every Word Handwritten
WHOA. You did an amazing job! Plus, it’s pug approved!
this is genius! love the look you created here.
xxoo,
nikki
www.dreaminneon.blogspot.com
The final results are beautiful!!! I love the gold stripes.
this looks amazing, girls! well done! x
oh the dog is sooo sweet amd the couch looks nice!
http://voyagevoyagelamonde.blogspot.de/
Wow!!!
This is fantastic!!! 😀
Visit:
http://mademoisellejuliet.blogspot.com/
Thats what I call simple yet so beautiful! Love it like crazy. The re-modeled look of the couch is just magical. I have a old one kept with me, Gona do the same re-modelling to it. Great idea.
PS I love the dog sitting on the couch too.. Looks extra adorable hahaha 😉
Love
Jessica x
THE DOG!!! I guess he’s claiming it? The project turned out really well!
super cute! won’t the inside of the cushions get moldy/soggy though? maybe they should have been covered completely.
Beautiful!!!
what a great redo. nothing like a soft spot in the sunshine.
Wow, that turned out really well! I had no idea oil cloth comes in any other color than boring 🙂 Extra points from the doggie!
Oh my gosh. That fabric. I think I know what love is now. So cute! Thank you for sharing!
xx
youngmildandfree.wordpress.com
I love it, it looks so cool! Too bad I only have a little balcony..
http://sincerelylara.com
this looks so cute !
thank YOU for sharing 😉
This turned out great! It’s nice when simple projects like this work out so well! 🙂
Your outdoor couch looks fabulous. The oilcloth pattern sets off the white of the couch. Great pairing. Looks like someone else also enjoys sitting on the new couch. 😉
Love this couch DIY, wish I had space on my balcony for it!
How lovely!!
Valentina
http://valentinaduracinsky.blogspot.com/
This is wonderful, you’re an inspiration! It makes me itch to have my own home and start decorating xx
Wow, that couch looks sooo much better than it did at first! Really pretty that way.
Have a great day,
xo Flora // thelastpostblog.blogspot.com
I love it!
Its amazing what a bit of time and some simple materials can do. I am very impressed!
xx
Alannah
Neonandfeathers.blogspot.com
aahh i love this couch! It looks fab now!
Hannah xx
www.raspberrykitsch.com
Such a cute and easy update
I LOVE this!! Going in the project box 🙂
Cathy
http://whiskshooksandbooks.blogspot.co.uk
Cute couch, love the stripes!
You’re phenomenal.
xx
http://www.emmaobarnett.com
Oh wow, you really made something out of this! I love how the couch turned out.
yippie, job well done guys..love the white gold upholstery..love it. what a fun project to undertake.
That why i love abeautifullmess 🙂
Looking good girl! Love the oil cloth you choose, very pretty and it turns out really great!
xoxo
Melodie
http://sevenlivesandmore.blogspot.fr/
beautiful! love your outside table as well! and the dog of course…♥
I love it! I want one too now!
this is a-mazing emma!
Wow love it !
http://www.thestilettoholic.com/
Love from Paris
I love all the fashion and style ideas on this site, thank you!
Wow! This is awesome and tons better than before! Now I want a couch just like that haha!
Lulu xx
http://luluslittlewonderland.blogspot.com
Great job! It looks fantastic!
Oh wow, it looks fantastic!
Mafalda ❤
www.mafaldadotzero.blogspot.fr
cool idea!! 🙂 i love this restyle idea! 🙂
http://lovesimplegreen.blogspot.com/
That’s really cool! I love the modern, simple glam that fabric gives. Great job 🙂
I love how you have made me look at more used items rather than newer while redoing my own little home.
http://aclotheslook.com
so pretty. I wished my future house will have one like this too 🙂
This is so impressive! Love the stripes! And your puppy just adds to the cuteness! 🙂
http://sometimesgracefully.com
Swoon! That’s adorable.
The oil fabric is to die for! Total inspiration! Love it!!!
xoxo~Heather
southernnorth.com
This is why I love this blog: simple and trendy DIY’s. My hubby and I might be moving soon and I’ve pinned this to attempt later on. Great post!
Oh this is so perfect! Definitely gives me the inspiration to restyle more furniture!
xo, Juliette Laura
http://juliettelaura.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/InfiniteStyleShop
oh my gosh! I’m so very thankful that you wrote this post. I was actually given almost the exact same couch and matching rocker for my new patio. It’s in such need of new paint, you have inspired me! Will probably be a project for next weekend. Thanks so much.
here’s my very similar couch if you are interested… http://www.reevewrites.com/2013/07/thankful.html
Great project. Sometimes all it takes is a little of paint to give a new life to an old furniture.
I love this!!! It looks amazing!
x Sara from tinysugarbee.blogspot.com
LOVE IT!!!!
So cute, I love the stripes!!
Oh gosh! Emma, this is waaay cute. Thanks for sharing! I love it! Makes me want to get to work on our backyard!
Love the fabric you chose. Such a glam update! This looks amazing!
http://www.fullbellywornsoles.com
can i just say that your dog is an excellent couch model?
This looks great!! I love the fabric you used on the cushions.
What a fun idea, looks great!
Emma, please consider cropping the photos while keeping the original proportions (e.g. 10×15), the other formats do look a bit awkward! 🙂
So cute!
http://thewearwithal.typepad.com/
Looks great!
You gals did such a great job – I love how it looks! So cute!
xoxo,
Laura
http://lauraisthriftingthroughlife.blogspot.com/
what a great idea! i always shy away from trying big projects like those because I’m afraid they won’t turn out the way i’d want them to. i think i’ll give something like this a shot… i’m in need of some backyard seating as well!
LOVE the fabric you decided to use for the project.
That turned out super cute! I love the fabric for the cushions!
The remodel looks great! love the stripes !
xoxo
ChaChaTheFashionGenius.com
This looks so nice- you did a great job tidying it up:)
www.heavenlyclutter.blogspot.com
xo
It looks amazing! 🙂
LOVE IT! That gold stripe makes me happy
Oh, this is gorgeous and so simple despite looking so chic! We’re very, very slowly working on our garden and I would love to eventually have something like this sitting outside over the summer.
Thanks for the inspiration xx
So simple and sooo beautiful!
An outdoor couch!? Why did I never think of that!
It’s very pretty, I love how it really fits with the rest of decor.
xo,
rn
www.rachelnicoleblog.com