Good Thing

Updated Picnic Table

Martha Stewart Living, June 2012

Turn your chipped, peeling, or sun-damaged picnic table into a chic statement. Just apply a few coats of matte black paint -- an idea inspired by the black furniture at artist Donald Judd's gardens in Marfa, Texas. Remember that the darker shade will absorb the sun's heat; consider placing the table in a shady spot in your yard in hotter climates.

 

Picnic patio table (similar to shown), by Outdoor Living Today, $400; matte exterior paint, by Martha Stewart Living, in Silhouette, homedepot.com.

Reviews (4)

  • redshoes1
    20 Apr, 2013

    ...Or you could paint it a different colour that you liked. These suggestions aren't prescriptive.

  • Howaboutanicepunch
    18 Aug, 2012

    Yeah, paint a picnic bench and table BLACK! Very chic, very stupid and hot. Who are you kidding?

  • scrapyj
    10 Jul, 2012

    I agree, painting it white would be better...

  • Ione
    10 Jul, 2012

    It looks lovely but is a BAD idea if your picnic table sits in the sun. The black surface will get too hot to touch.