How to Decorate With a Child's Old Table & Chairs

Don't be in a hurry to give away that old kiddie table and chair set---and, if you don't have one, think about searching for these pieces at thrift stores or garage sales. You can use a child's table and chair set, even one that starts out in poor condition, as an addition to various rooms inside the house or outside on the patio. You'll come up with all kinds of ways to use this easily movable decorating accent. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Decide whether you will use the table and chair set "in the rough" or whether it will need some sprucing up. If you are planning to use the pieces outside or in a room decorated in a rustic style, it may be charming to just keep the furniture as is. If the table and chairs are metal, you might pick off any loose chips that could snag clothing; if they are wood, you might want to sand places to avoid splinters.

2

Spruce up the table and chairs before you decide where to place it. Determine the best colors to refinish or repaint it. Use stripper on the pieces you want to refinish, and match the wood shade to other furniture in the room. If you are planning to paint the little wooden table and chairs, sand the pieces well, and paint with gloss enamel. For metal tables and chairs, pull off any loose chips before sanding smooth and painting.

3

Use the table and chairs in various rooms inside your house. Consider using the table and chair set as a nightstand in the guest bedroom. Paint the chair light blue, and add white clouds bearing messages like "sleep tight." Pile necessities like towels and facial tissue on the chairs.

In the kitchen pile a little table with stacks of cookbooks. Hang the two chairs on the wall above the table, and pile more cookbooks on the seats. Use the table and chair set in front of a window as creative plant stands.

4

Keep a child's table and chair set outside for a variety of decorating uses. Place a table painted with bright-colored stripes near the barbecue grill for corralling paper plates, napkins and flatware. Use the chairs for an ice bucket and plastic cups.

Paint the set bright yellow and cover with brightly colored flower waterproof decals, and place it in the middle of the garden.

Place he table and chairs on the front porch with a pretty basket or other centerpiece to serve as a nice welcome to your home

5

Use a child's table and chairs for all kinds of holiday and party decorating. It can be the "present place" where birthday gifts are piled or the party favor table where you can place little boxes to hand out at the end of a party.

For a wedding shower, set the table as if for a tea party with bride and groom dolls sitting on the chairs.

At Halloween place it on the front porch with a giant jack-o-lantern on the table and two smaller ones on the chairs.