This Outdoor Furniture Trend Is Now Taking Over Interiors - Here's Why It Works So Well

The time of reserving furniture pieces to one spot of your property is over. Today, homeowners are experimenting with versatile fixtures and furniture that is suitable for both inside and outside. To mix things up, outdoor furniture is being brought into the house to add organic vibes to the interior. A purchase that was originally intended for the exterior, like metal furniture, could be exactly what your indoor space is craving — specifically, painted metal furniture.

Painted metals are the newest design trend revitalizing outdoor furniture and transforming it into the perfect way to decorate with metallics within the home. Lawn chairs, a wrought iron bench, and even a copper side table for holding cold drinks on a hot day is no longer isolated to exteriors. The possibilities are endless, like repurposing chairs from the patio as retro-inspired stools to create a unique eating space for the kitchen. Outdoor metal furniture can be updated with fresh paint and used as an accent piece, like an accent chair in a living room or even the den. If you have an outdoor bench that could use a new look, consider replacing the cushions and using it for seating or storage in your entryway. Reimagining metal outdoor pieces and relocating them inside the home is a great way to add an earthy touch to your space. 

Painted metal furniture from a backyard patio or deck can add character, texture, and charm to the indoors. Metal fixtures have been an interior design favorite for a while now (which is why you're seeing those industrial metal chairs everywhere.) These elements are part of the modern industrial and sculptural trend that contributes texture and a bit of rustic charm. Bringing painted metal furniture to the interior offers an opportunity to play, experiment, and take a design risk when mixing metals in your home decor. But make sure to create balance between visuals, as too much hardware will feel stiff and cold. This is where the specificity of painted metal comes into play — it presents the chance to add a pop of color, as one piece could be painted a bold hue to catch the eye, while staying anchored by surrounding neutrals. It also provides contrast to soft upholstery or natural wood tones.

This is also a sustainable way to show off vintage pieces and give them new life by refurbishing, rather than discarding them. For a beloved piece of outdoor furniture that's in need of a makeover, try repainting the item and finding a place for it indoors. A new paint job or refinishing could be exactly what the item needs to be modernized to fit your home's design scheme. And by adding these pieces to the kitchen or dining room, you'll no longer need to worry about harsh temperatures and the elements damaging the metal.

The hardest part about having painted metal furniture is keeping it clean and looking like new. It is essential to remember that pieces made to live outside may require different cleaning and maintenance practices than indoor furniture. The good news is that outdoor furniture is made to be durable and strong. But just to be safe, prevent staining and rusting by placing your furniture in a spot where it's least likely to be exposed to moisture.

Speaking of moisture — furniture that has spent years outside the home is likely rusted from moisture. Luckily, there are a number of simple hacks to make rusty furniture new again and suitable for a new life indoors. Cabinet staples like vinegar, salt, lemon juice, and baking soda can be combined into DIY mixtures to eliminate rust and make pieces look shiny once more. Chemical solutions of citric acid or hydrogen peroxide are helpful tools that can dissolve rust. You can also prevent rusting by applying a spray-on layer of WD-40 that can be purchased at a number of big name stores. 

If you are painting metal furniture yourself, Martha Stewart explained on her blog that she recommends "high-quality oil-based spray paint specifically designed for outdoor use." This will assure that the paint is strong enough for this type of metal and is less likely to fade. If you are spray painting, Stewart advised to "use thin, multiple coats instead of one thick coat to get the best result."