Old Wooden Baby High Chair- What to Do?

Question

we found this baby high chair out for the trash and it's in excellent shape. I don't know what to do with it ? Sand or paint? When not being used as a high chair at the dinning room ,I plan to put a plant on it. So I want it to be practical and fun. I'm open to anything , any ideas and thoughts very much appreciated:)

Julie Moyna · Answer

I must have its cousin! I saved mine from the chopping block but have no idea what to do either! The one I have had wheels or could just be folded. May I join in your search for ideas?

Beverly Alley · Answer

I crackle painted mine and I have a doll sitting in it in the corner of the kitchen

Colleen P · Answer

what colors did you paint it? Was there a lot of prep work? Love a photo of the end results:)

MRHallinan · Answer

Sand stain and shellac, wood is a beautiful thing. don't cover it up

Jeanette S · Answer

I am one for the wood. I too would put a doll or teddy bear in the chair...would not take a chance a flowerpot would leak on my project!

Colleen P · Answer

thank you Jeanette S , after knowing a bit more about the age and history it would be a shame to have the restoration ruined by water. I'm sure a china doll would be perfect.

Ebbytwin2572 · Answer

I have one as well sitting in my barn and don't know what to do with it either. Looking forward to seeing what everyone does with theirs.

Debra K. · Answer

I wonder if you could take a picture and try to find somewhere to replicate it??? (The decal...I like to!! Brings back memories)

Patricia W · Answer

I would sand it, repair any damage with wood glue or putty. Then I would stain it and get one of the vintage decals that our moms used on our baby furniture in the 60's.

Debbie · Answer

I also have my husbands highchair (born in 1954). It is sitting in storage right now, so I too am looking forward to ideas that come through!

Dan Rodowsky · Answer

after refinishing the wood you may be able to redo the decal yourself. Find some old vintage childrens books, clip art or even gift wrap with vintage images ( nice gift and art stores have great wraps with vintage patterns) You can make a color copy and cut out as close to edge as you can. Cover the art with a good coat of Mod-Podge and press it down on the wood. Smooth it out making sure to remove all air pockets. Let dry at least over night. After dry mist with water and get paper very wet than carefully rub with your fingers. Paper will roll off leaving just the image you want. Be careful that you don't rub to hard as you can pull up the image with the paper. this is a very easy project and would be much more easy than trying to find vintage decals to replace what is gone. After just finish with poly and wax as you would on any wood project. You can also try this on a scrap piece of wood to get the feel and see how you like the transfer as copies are cheap! Good luck.

Joni Madou · Answer

I just redid the highchair I had from my daughters. I took off the arms and painted it, then added this cushion. It is now a youth chair for my granddaughter when she comes to visit. My husband cut the legs down a little so it would fit under neath our table.

Jos250523 · Answer

I would put it in a small flower garden as a plant holder... After I painted it a bright color of course. And in my other flower garden... a wooden step ladder with plants.

Carol · Answer

sand, stain and refinish. You can cut a circle from a plastic place mat and use a glass pie plate fur a saucer under your plant.

Sandy Lueker · Answer

There must be a ton of these out there....I have one too!...I haven't got around to doing anything with mine yet but I was going to paint it white, seal it and put it out in my garden with a potted plant in it....

Karen Worlock · Answer

I have a very old antique high chair. I just cleaned it up and left it as is. Placed a trailing plant on an old kitchen plate then put in the high chair. The plate protects the wood against any damage. Looks good sitting in a corner.

Sandy · Answer

Here is my idea. Do not touch the finish as it devalues the antique price of the piece. Instead I would make a back fabric cover with pockets lay across the seat to fit under the arms to put things I needed when I came in and out the door. Make the back rest a one coat hanger, purse in the seat. attach clips from the legs for note pads, Put love note, happy signs or photos on clips. Put by door for all to see when they enter and leave. You could also use in bathroom if there is room to stack towel, washcloth, soaps, etc like the hotels do, but on your chair and chair rungs. Maybe even use baby bowl to hold items

Pat · Answer

I want to refinish an old highchair too. I have my first great granddaughter arriving soon and I want to make it nice for her.

Colleen P · Answer

i would just leave it as is, but I plan on using it with the grandchildren at the holidays when we are busting at the seams for extra seats around the table. Thanks for your input:)

Liliana Wells · Answer

Smooth out the rough edges. Maybe paint it a bright color for children's appeal. Put a coat or two of polyurethane for spills and such. You now have a chair for the children to spill things on without worry of water stains. Enjoy.

Lynn · Answer

You should see what Restore Decor (on Facebook) in Edwardsville IL did with a pair I donated. They coupled them with a child's table and painted everything the same color. So cute!

B.J. B · Answer

I know many are against painting any vintage item but if you really what some color with very little effort there is nothing like chalk paint. I use the Webster's powder that you can add to any type of latex paint. It covers amazingly well without any prep to the surface whatsoever. I redid a dark oak table with a light taupe. I used 2 coats of paint. It dries very fast so I did it all in one day. I finished it with a coat of paste wax and it looked great.

MKay · Answer

I have the wooden hi-chair that me and my 4 siblings all used. I also used it for my son, now in his 20's. 
 My husband said use it for a plant stand. Love the little chair, but no little ones to use it. Any other ideas?

Bill Johnson · Answer

I would sand and paint it, then distress it and use to display large dolls or, plants for that matter.

CC · Answer

I don't think I would refinish it but might make a cover for it with a little padding so it might be a little softer for little ones using it and you could just pull it off and throw it in the washer.

Charlene Grounds · Answer

I had one. I painted it..sanded the edges off to make it look distressed. sat it in my flower garden with a flower pot in the seat....

Denise Psik · Answer

wash very well (mix of lite bleach and water) take the metal pieces off the arms, and reseal cause you dont know what the finish on it is. (Possible lead?). When the babies arent using put a baby doll in it and sit in kitchen corner.

Beryl Parker · Answer

thanks@Colleen P I saw an idea on pinterest where they used a painted highchair as a plant stand in a garden...it was so cute.

Jan · Answer

Do not use an old high chair for babies unless it has a secure modern harness retrofitted.  Many children have been injured by falling.  Also, old cribs and play pens have rails spaced too far apart, and babies' heads may become trapped.  Better safe than sorry.

June Boughton · Answer

This is what I do with old high chairs, can't get enough of them. I make new harness and paint them.

Old Wooden Baby High Chair- What to Do?

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