When your outdoor wooden footstool has seen its better days and you're in need of some patriotic decor. Blend the two together and you have a cute idea for patriotic front porch decor.

While this upcycled patriotic Adirondack footstool for Canada Day is a fun idea for July 1st, it's a great way to show your Canadian pride all summer long at the lake cottage too.

Patriotic Wooden Footstool Makeover

A little paint and a Canadian flag stencil are all it took for this quick and easy footstool makeover. This patriotic idea could easily be adapted for the 4th of July decor too by using an American flag stencil and adding blue paint to the mix.

Several weeks ago when participating in a blog hop of curated collections of red, white, blue, and patriotic DIY projects, I came to the realization that I have not one patriotic project on the blog. That ends today, thanks to a Canadian Flag stencil.

This is what my neglected Adirondack footstool looked like before the makeover.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the Adirondack footstool makeover, almost all of the DIY projects shared here at Interior Frugalista have step-by-step tutorials so why not get your budget DIY on and subscribe. You can also follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

What You'll Need To Make It

This post contains affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend for this project. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Supply List

• Adirondack Footstool (alternatives)
• Canadian Flag Stencil
• Low Tack Stencil Adhesive
• Stencil Brush
• Inexpensive Chip Brush
• Red Chalk Style Paint
• White Chalk Style Paint
• 220 Grit Sandpaper
• Exterior Satin Varathane Clear Coat

Here's How I Did It

Prep For Paint

First, I gave the stool a good scrub with 1 part white vinegar to 2 parts warm water and a drop of Dawn dish soap. I removed any chipping paint and lightly sanded the stool with 150 grit sandpaper to give the paint some bite.

Paint The Stool

I wanted the footstool to have a rustic time-worn finish so I gave the paint a quick refresh with just one coat of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in the color Old White that I had on hand. With an inexpensive chip brush, I randomly brushed the paint on so the previous white paint still showed from underneath, giving it a layered paint look.

Canadian Flag Stencil

When the paint was completely dry, I used low tack spray adhesive to hold the 8 ½" x 11" Canadian Flag stencil in place along the curvature of the footstool.

Are you a stencil pouncer or swirler? I'm both, depending on the stencil. For the Canadian flag stencil detail, I pounced Dixie Belle Paint Company Barn Red with my favorite round stencil brush.

The Canadian flag looked a little lost and so I painted some of the wood slats on either side red. So I wouldn't have any oops and get red paint on the adjacent white slats, I placed painter's tape along the edges.

To give the Canadian flag stencil a time-worn look, I lightly distressed it with 220 grit sandpaper. While I was at it, I distressed the painted stool along the edges as well.

Paint Protection

Next, the paint was protected with two coats of Exterior Varathane Diamond Clear Coat in a satin finish.

That's it, we're done!

My plan was to photograph the footstool outside paired with an Adirondack chair and pretty pots of red and white flowers. Unfortunately, it's pouring cats and dogs outside and won't be letting up any day soon.

So this is the best I could do in a pinch. Instead, I paired the footstool with the rustic patriotic Canada Day sign that I also made with the same stencil. Wishing my fellow Canucks a Happy Canada Day!

Thanks for stopping by the Interior Frugalista today! I hope you were inspired by this Patriotic Outdoor Furniture Idea. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comment section below or the Contact Me tab at the top to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!

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