So you bought an outdoor wicker sofa a few years ago but you never covered it, never cleaned it, used it regularly on summer nights with friends, and now it’s looking… well, a little frumpy. It’s seen better days.
Remember the good times, when your patio sofa was colorful and perky and full of life? Well, the good old days of wicker deep seating can be yours once again – and without too much effort. Transform your trusty old outdoor wicker sofa into something that looks like it’s been freshly added to your backyard by following our five favorite methods to revitalize a struggling sofa. After all, a good sofa should last a lifetime with minimal TLC – no reason to throw out the old and replace with the new when cheaper and much more satisfying options are available.
Let’s explore some DIY ideas like painting and resealing your sofa (if it is made with real rattan), and get in touch with your inner landscaper by exploring textures that will turn your couch into a focal point. With just a few artsy and clever touches, you’ll be able to make something extraordinary out of something you thought was long forgotten. What’s more, these DIY projects should totally be within your budget and skill level, no matter who you are. Let’s dive in!
In This Article
New Cushions and Pillows Add Comfort and Class
Our first recommendation to revamp your patio sofa is the easiest: Get some new pillows or cushions (or both)! Cushions and pillows are a fantastic way to give your outdoor wicker sofa a completely new look with zero effort. Colorful and textured cushions in a variety of outdoor fabric grades can easily be added to your existing piece of furniture and make a huge difference in how it looks. Not only will new cushions and pillows accentuate your outdoor space and perfectly complement your wicker sofa, but they will also make the sofa cozier and more inviting for your guests.
For pillows, the most important element is the fabric: make sure you go with a quality brand. We recommend opting for a name-brand outdoor fabric manufacturer like Sunbrella, Outdura, or O’bravia: their textiles are marine-grade, designed to last a lifetime on boats, so they’ll definitely be just fine on your patio.
For cushions, the fabric quality is also highly important, so we still recommend Sunbrella. But the foam core in your cushion is also significant: many cheaper brands offer flimsy, thin foam cores surrounded by synthetic upholstery filler. Some don’t even have foam cores and just fill the cushions with the cheap stuff! These cushions are not comfortable brand new, and over time, things just get worse: they tend to compress and become lumpy and uneven and flat, and in almost no time, you won’t want to sit on them anymore. That’s why at Patio Productions we offer unique Custom Cushions services and all of our products come with heavy-duty high density triple-layer foam cores for maximum comfort and longevity. Our cushions are the best seats in the house, literally!
Refurbishing a wicker couch with upholstery is an excellent way to customize your outdoor space. Choosing fabrics that fit your personal style will help you customize the appearance of your sofa and make it one-of-a-kind. With this approach, you can give your wicker sofa a modern, timeless look by selecting different colors and textures for the upholstery fabric.
Of course, there are some debates online about whether or not it’s necessary to invest in top quality cushions and pillows, though we think we’ve made our case here.
But if all you’re looking for is a certain aesthetic, without breaking the bank, you can definitely get away with cheap cushions in a pinch. They’ll still look great. Just know that they won’t last as long, and they won’t be as comfortable.
Accentuate with Rocks, Plants, and Other Natural Textures
Hardscapes” are elements of landscape design that are… well, hard. Think outdoor planters and rocks.
Wicker patio sofas can look absolutely amazing on their own, but if you have a gorgeous couch and you place it on a monotone, empty deck, in a monotone, empty backyard, your space isn’t really doing your furniture any favors.
So, get creative with natural elements and set a beautiful scene for your sofa stage!
Plants are a time-tested and effective way to add pops of vibrant natural color and texture to your outdoor living area while also freshening up the look of even the most tired piece of furniture. Verdant leaves and fronds laying in contrast to a weathered old wicker sofa will give it extra character and visual interest, without having to actually make any changes to the couch at all.
Stones and rocks are excellent elements to use as well. They introduce a certain diversity of texture to your patio that is second to none. And speaking of contrast, the rough and hale appearance of flagstone or granite slabs will make the smooth, intricate woven patterns of your wicker sofa stand out.
Combining these natural elements together in such a way as to imply that your patio sofa is the focal point of your space will make the furniture seem fresher, cleaner, and more fun. Who doesn’t want to sit outside in a cozy sofa surrounded by leaves and trees and rocks and streams?
You might also try hanging decorations like wind chimes or small succulent planters from wall-mounted shelves or vertical gardens. Hanging baskets can be used to store cushions or other items when not in use. Concrete planters and nature-inspired side tables are also worth experimenting with. There are lots of ways to decorate your patio with hardscape elements to truly help your furniture stand out. Want more? A bunch of fun decorating ideas can be found here on HouseBeautiful.
Shine a Light on Style
And speaking of “stand out,” when it comes to the look of a patio space, lighting is everything.
During the daytime, make sure that the natural light illuminating your wicker sofa is diffuse enough that the sun isn’t shining directly on the furniture, but all the little touches of color and texture are still clearly visible. If your patio gets a lot of direct sunlight, consider managing it with some umbrellas, pergolas, or shade sails.
At night time, you will want to make sure you have ample artificial light, so your patio parties can go on long after the sun has set. The right lighting can make all the difference in the appearance of your patio furniture and the comfort of your guests, so take some time with this step checking all your options! We offer a few options right here in our catalog.
If you need more specific patio lighting ideas, check out our patio lighting article on the topic.
Turn Dull Wicker Deep Seating Decadent with Colorful Paint
Give your outdoor wicker furniture a makeover by giving it a new coat of paint! This works well with rattan wicker, as its natural color and hue can be changed to coordinate with your décor. If you have HDPE outdoor “wicker” though, best not attempt this one; modern outdoor wicker is process-dyed HDPE, which does not take paint as well. In fact, most patio wicker sofas today are not actually made from natural wood and fiber materials but a resin and fiber composite of HDPE and real wicker. HDPE is by far the superior option for patio furniture. It is tough enough to last a lifetime, and will stand up to any weather condition on a level natural ratan weave can only dream of; the downside is that painting HDPE wicker is truly a painstaking and difficult task that is probably just not worth the effort. If you’re really committed though, here is an article that may help you get the result you want.
But, assuming you have a natural rattan wicker sofa you really want to give a brand new coat, here’s how you do it:
1.) Sand down the wicker. This can take a fair bit of time depending on how naturally frayed and weathered your rattan is. Be sure to have plenty of sandpaper ready to go, roll up your sleeves, and get to sanding until the rattan is smooth and the surface is ready to take primer!
2.) Prime the rattan with a good quality, weather-resistant primer. Name brands include Krylon and Rustoleum. You’ll ideally want a primer that will prime and also seal the furniture. All you need to do here is brush it on, taking care to cover all parts of the furniture. Primer gives a “toothy” surface to the furniture that will give your paint something to cling to.
3.) Paint it! Using a wide bristle brush, apply a layer of your paint to the furniture, again making sure to coat all of it. You will almost certainly need at least two coats, depending on the hue of your paint and the color of your primer (black primer, for example, dulls the first coat or two of paint; white primer brightens it. Meanwhile, red and yellow paints go on pretty thin for the first coat, while colors like blue and green are a bit more vibrant on the first pass).
4.) Seal it. Using a marine-grade or outdoor-grade sealer or varnish, cover up your freshly painted wicker sofa to protect it from moisture damage. Note that sealers tend to have either gloss or matte finishes, so pick the one that most fits the look you’re going for. Some sealers also tend to yellow over time, so do some research on your sealant options beforehand.
Some folks argue that revitalizing wicker sofas with paint is simply not worth it, as involved a process as it can be. But when you do it right, painting your sofa creates a truly unique and stunning focal point for your outdoor living space that is sure to delight.
A few quick suggestions for paint colors:
Choosing too bright of a paint color can be a bit garish and gimmicky in your garden. Other colors are too “trendy” and become outdated after just a couple years. Instead, try to go for classic, more neutral shades that will look great in any decade. Darker colors like graphite gray, navy blue, or eggplant purple are great modern choices. Lighter colors like eggshell, white, and yellow, conversely, have a much more vintage vibe. But, their cheery appearance is undeniable! They will brighten up any space. One fun idea? Try both light and dark colors in a two-tone design! This can be especially striking in a garden space surrounded by beautiful lush foliage.
When You Can’t Revitalize it, Repair or Replace it
Our Arden wicker patio sofa is one of our best-selling products and is a fantastic, long-lasting replacement for any outdated wicker seating you may have. Shop here
Sometimes, all that’s needed is a little TLC. A frumpy old wicker sofa might just need to be re-leveled on the patio, or have its sagging arms reinforced. Fixing a broken leg or support can do wonders for the look of your furniture; sometimes, a little sag or lean here and there makes a sofa look magnitudes worse off than it really is.
Little DIY improvements pay off in dividends. You don’t have to spend money replacing an entire piece of furniture if only one little part of it needs attention. You won’t have to go through the time or the stress of picking out and purchasing paint colors or special fabrics or cushions. You won’t have to hire a landscaper to tell you where to put a pond, or what kinds of plants would grow well in your yard. As a lifetime “DIY”er myself, Youtube is the first place I go to when I want to repair or improve something. See what your options are!
And if all else fails, and you can’t repair or revitalize your old wicker outdoor sofa no matter what you do, check out your local friendly neighborhood patio furniture store like Patio Productions. We’ll get you up and running with a brand new sofa that will keep you happy and your backyard looking beautiful for years to come!
We hope you have a blast updating your patio wicker sofa. It’s a great way to Bring Life Outdoors!
Mike Bowman is currently the technical product manager and lead editor at Patio Productions. He has worked in the furniture industry as a copywriter, developer, and content creator for the last 14 years, among other roles. An avid DIY-er, he loves to experiment with furniture, landscape design, and home improvement in his own home.
