Upcycle An Old Shower Chair Into A Stylish & Customizable Piece Of Decor

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Shower chairs make your bathroom more accessible and are a necessity for those with mobility or balance issues. However, they are often more functional than fashionable. Made with water-resistant plastic, aluminum, and rubber grips on the feet, shower chairs are meant to serve a purely practical purpose. 

However, there are creative ways to reuse an old chair outside of its intended purpose. With a little paint and fabric, you can upcycle an old shower chair into a stylish décor piece — and give it new life as a customizable chair for another part of your home. The chair can be taken apart without any tools by simply unscrewing the seat and seat back with the large gray screws provided. In a well-ventilated area, sand and spray paint the aluminum pieces your color of choice. Don't remove the rubber grips, as you will need them to protect your floors from scratches (paint them the same color as the chair legs so they aren't obvious). Purchase or make some cushions that are the correct size for the plastic seat and seat back. You can screw the chair back together by poking holes in the fabric where the screw and holes line up. 

Medical shower chairs are typically adjustable, so you can make yours the perfect height to fit under a desk, chair, or piano. Shower chairs also make great outdoor furniture, since they are already made to be water-resistant and rust-proof. As outdoor furniture, you can skip the cushions altogether and simply spray paint the entire piece. Choose a spray-paint brand that works for outdoor use such as Rustoleum or Krylon Fusion All-in-One. You may have purchased a shower stool without a back, in which case spray paint is all that is needed to turn it from functional stool to cute stool — cushion optional. 

When adding cushions to your shower chair, you can sew custom cushions, or go with a no-sew reupholstery option. A quick and easy solution is to spray paint the entire chair, then purchase a pre-made chair cushion that will fit your seat. Most shower chair seats are smaller than the typical 16x16-inch dining room chair cushions; however, you can order an affordable ShadeMart Custom Cushion in your preferred size or color. You can also purchase a zippered pillow case in the correct size and fill it with batting or foam. You may choose to simply place the cushion on the seat, or slip the seat inside and attach it with the chair screws. Use the chair to add style to any room. Or, if you don't need another chair or stool around the house, consider donating it to a local hospital, rehabilitation center, or medical equipment bank.