Makeover Your Porch Swing With Four Easy DIY Steps

Do you have a porch swing that needs an update? Maybe the paint’s chipped or the cushion’s seen better days. If so, today’s your lucky day—because I will show you how to makeover your porch swing with four easy DIY steps!

Believe me, this DIY porch swing makeover was long overdue!

Our white wicker furniture had definitely seen better days—it looked dirty no matter how much I dusted it, the cushion was torn, and the chains were rusty.

Not exactly the cozy, welcoming vibe I wanted for our porch.

Since we were in the middle of our Spring Home Organization Challenge, I made it my mission to refresh the swing (and the rest of our outdoor furniture) so we’d actually want to use it again.

And now, our outdoor furniture looks completely transformed!

I can’t get over how clean and fresh it looks! It’s practically like brand new!

Wondering how we did it?

4 Easy DIY Steps To Makeover A Porch Swing

If you have a free weekend, you can completely transform your porch swing, too.

Here’s a step-by-step look at how we tackled our makeover from start to finish.

1: Clean the Swing

Can you believe how dirty this swing is? Look how white the bottom looks compared to the back and sides!

I’m telling you all, the pollen in Florida is crazy!!

So, before we do anything else, we’ve got to start with a clean slate—literally!

No matter how you plan to update your swing, giving it a good scrub is essential.

I used a bucket of warm, soapy water, a soft scrub brush, and a little elbow grease to remove layers of dirt and grime from the wicker frame.

If your swing has been sitting outside like mine, don’t be surprised if you find cobwebs, pollen, or even a few mystery stains (yikes!).

Just take your time and be thorough—it makes a big difference in the end result.

Once it was clean, I gave it a quick rinse with the hose and let it dry completely before moving on to paint.

Step 2: Paint the Swing

Once the swing was clean and dry, it was time for a fresh coat of paint!

I used spray paint because it’s quick, easy to apply, and works well on wicker’s textured surface.

I briefly considered going bold with black, but stuck with white in the end.

Not the most exciting choice—but definitely the most practical!

As I mentioned earlier, pollen season is no joke, and I knew a darker color would show every speck.

Before painting, I started with a coat of spray primer to help the paint stick better and last longer, which is especially important for outdoor furniture.

A few light coats of white spray paint gave the swing a clean, refreshed look without changing its original charm.

I used a spray paint comfort grip to make the job even easier.

It snaps onto the top of the can and gives you way more control, plus your hand won’t cramp up mid-project (highly recommend!).

Be sure to spray in a well-ventilated area (an open garage or outside is best!) and let each coat dry before adding the next.

It’s incredible how even a simple paint update can make old furniture look new again.

3: Recover the Cushion and Pillows

Next up: tackling that torn, faded cushion.

I found some outdoor fabric on sale at Joann’s (love a good deal!) and chose a neutral beige color this time.

My previous cushions were bright and colorful, but after a few seasons in the sun, they faded so much that they looked awful.

This more muted tone will fade less noticeably and go with everything, making future porch styling a breeze!

I used the neutral fabric to recover the seat cushion, then brought in a little personality by covering the pillows with three coordinating printed fabrics.

It was a fun way to add interest without going overboard on color.

I’m not a sewing pro, so I followed a helpful tutorial from Confessions of a Serial DIYer and managed just fine!

The updated fabric instantly gave the swing a cleaner, more pulled-together look, and it feels so much more inviting now.

4: Cover the Rusty Chain

The last detail that needed attention was the rusty swing chains.

Not only did they look rough, but they also took away from the fresh, clean look I was going for.

Instead of replacing them, we found a super-easy and affordable solution—white cord covers!

We ordered them from Amazon, and they worked like a charm.

The covers are designed with velcro strips, so they’re quick to wrap around the chains and just as easy to remove if needed.

They instantly gave the swing a more polished, finished look—no more rust in sight!

Plus, the white color blends in perfectly with the rest of the makeover.

Our Madeover Porch Swing

And here it is—our freshly made-over porch swing!

It’s amazing what a little cleaning, paint, fabric, and a simple chain fix can do.

Now the swing looks clean, cozy, and totally refreshed—ready for morning coffee, evening chats, or quiet moments.

Final Thoughts

I’m so glad I finally tackled this porch swing makeover (along with the rest of the outdoor furniture)—it’s such a relief to have it done!

With just four DIY steps, we transformed an old, worn-out seating area into one we truly enjoy again.

If you’ve got a swing that’s seen better days, I hope this inspires you to give it a quick refresh, too.

You don’t need a big budget or fancy skills—just a little time, a few supplies, and a can-do attitude!

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Blessings, Donna and Rich

More DIY Inspiration

Don’t leave yet; if you’re interested in before-and-after makeovers for your home, you’ll want to check out these posts:

• Sentimental Potting Bench Makeover
• Turn a Woven Basket Into an Outdoor Light Fixture
• Fabulous Table Set Makeover for the Patio
• Steps to Transform a Worn-Out Corn Hole Set
• How to Makeover Old Yard Tools

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