Painting Ideas for an American Flag Bench

Bold and Beautiful

• If you are painting a bench meant to be outdoors, such a city or park bench, likely you'll really want the American flag to pop. In this case, you'll want the design to cover as much of the bench as possible. For this, there are three main options. The first is that you paint one American flag that covers the entire bench; paint the stars on the left half of the back support of the bench, and the stripes starting on the left side of the back support and across the seat. Another option is to paint the flag entirely across the back support so that one glance at the bench will give passers-by a full view of the flag. The final option is to paint two flags on the bench. One on the back support, and one across the seat.

Subtly Patriotic

• The American flag doesn't always have to be bold to make a statement, especially if you are adding it to a bench in your personal garden, or perhaps your kitchen or foyer. Here, instead of a bench covered entirely by the flag, you can add the patriotic symbol on a smaller scale. Try painting a smaller version of the flag in the top center of the bench's back support. You can also create a pattern of flags. If your bench is of the slatted variety, paint one small flag on the slat of wood or steel in the top left corner, then measure about five inches, or the width of your painted flag, leave that space blank, and paint another flag on the same slat. Do this continuously across the top, then move on to the second slat, this time painting your first flag just below the dead space that exists on the top slat. This will create a checkerboard of American flags.

Paint

• Depending upon which type of bench you are painting, you will need a specific type of paint. If you are working with a metal bench, likely steel, that will be housed outdoors, you will want a water-repellent outdoor base made for metal that will not chip easily, and likely will need to prime the surface before painting. For an outdoor wooden bench, choose an exterior paint made for the type of wood the bench is made of, or even a marine paint. If you have a wooden bench that you will be using in your home, your options are a bit broader, but latex or enamel paints will both work well.

Application

• No matter what type of bench you are working with, you can paint the American flag onto it using your choice of paint brushes. You'll probably want to choose a larger brush with tough bristles for a big bold flag, but with careful masking you can even use spray paint on some surfaces for large areas, such as the blue for the star field or the red and white stripes. Map out your design before you begin painting in order to avoid a sloppy looking flag. Use painter's tape or masking tape to section off the bench for different parts of the flag. To avoid accidentally spraying the wrong color in the wrong location, tape plastic, even an opened out trash bag, down over the areas you want to protect.