Choosing colors for furniture redo

Hi, so my husband and I found a new hobby/business we started repurposing items into benches. We have only been doing this for about 3 months. We have had some success. We have only had one piece that didnt sell. My question is how do you choose paint colors. What have been the biggest flops? I posted a few pics of some of the colors we have done. I tend to choose colors that I love and make me happy.
  15 answers
  • Milknhoneycreations Milknhoneycreations on Jan 06, 2015
    What a great idea!!
  • Katherine W Katherine W on Jan 06, 2015
    I like to choose colors based on what is the most trendy clothing color of the year, but mix it with neutrals so it doesn't seem faddish.
    • Stephanie Schultz Stephanie Schultz on Jan 06, 2015
      That's a great idea. I love the mix of a bright color and the stained wood. Seems to be very popular.
  • Janette Smith Janette Smith on Jan 06, 2015
    Black is always a good choice. In my area of North Texas, teals and turquoise are very popular. They go well with neutrals like sand colors and woods. Personally, I like a brilliant red for focal points and outdoors . Good luck with your projects! Great idea.
  • Ponylady Ponylady on Jan 06, 2015
    Great work and good colors! Keep it up, it will break through for you !
  • Amy Petracek Amy Petracek on Jan 06, 2015
    You have a spectacular variety already! It wont be long before they are calling and requesting specific colors. I think the ones you have already are absolutely fabulous!!!
  • Stephanie Schultz Stephanie Schultz on Jan 06, 2015
    Thanks for all the comments. I like to get input from outside sources. Thankfully we have started to build a name for ourselves. Everything has sold very quickly.
  • Funnygirl Funnygirl on Jan 06, 2015
    Beachy colors are always popular.I love metallics too.It really depend on the location you are selling at.great benches! I would ALS try to finish them in stains that can be put outside in someone's yard or garden
  • Lori Lori on Jan 07, 2015
    @Stephanie Schultz - Super Cute benches!! Pantone is a great resource if you're looking at color trends. http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/index.aspx There's a color index for Spring 2015 based on fashion week last fall....it's interesting if not inspiring.
  • Nor710090 Nor710090 on Jan 07, 2015
    What colour is the bench with the doors, I love it.
  • Stephanie Schultz Stephanie Schultz on Jan 07, 2015
    The one with door only on one side was painted a teal diy chalk paint and then finished by using a DIY dark wax.
    • Rosie Walsh Rosie Walsh on Jan 08, 2015
      @Stephanie Schultz Would you share how you made the DIY dark wax please?? Many thanks, Rosemary
  • Marsha Schwarz Marsha Schwarz on Jan 07, 2015
    You can follow the trends or you can make the trends! Either way you clearly are doing a good job picking colors if everything is selling. Good job!
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Jan 08, 2015
    Not so keen on the 2-chair config, but love the rest. The others have more purpose than just a seating area - a shelf, etc. which probably has greater appeal to buyers because it has more than 1 function. Think this is more of an issue than colour.
  • Stephanie Schultz Stephanie Schultz on Jan 08, 2015
    The funny thing is the chair bench is just as popular as a bench with storage. Not everyone has a bunch of space. But thanks for the input.
  • Stephanie Schultz Stephanie Schultz on Jan 08, 2015
    I will absolutely. i found it on pintrest and tweaked it.
  • Stephanie Schultz Stephanie Schultz on Jan 08, 2015
    DIY dark wax: select the color of stain you would like to use. It doesn't have to be really dark. The wax I use is the minwax paste. So this is where I have had to tweak things because this wax is hard and crumbles. I scoop some of the wax into a heat safe container (sorry I don't measure) you can start with a small amount to practice. I then melt the wax with the stain added. I have a wood stove but I have also used a candle warmer. I just recently started adding mineral spirits. This process may take some time. My goal is to have a soft wax, not runny or crumbling. The beauty of this DIY is you are in control of the color and it is very cost effective. Also the mineral spirits added to just the wax so you can have a clear finish.