How to Modernize a Ladder Back Chair

Dust the ladder back chair with a soft cleaning cloth. Clean it in your normal fashion if it is particularly dirty. This provides a clean surface for the fresh coat of paint.

Roughen the wood with a fine grit sandpaper. Do this along with the wood grain, not against it. The sanding gets rid of any varnish, chipped paint or scratches in the wood. It also allows the paint to grip the wood surface. Dust the ladder back chair again to get rid of any debris.

Cover the chair with a spray-on primer. This is vital since the wood grain may show through with just an application of paint, therefore giving it a country appearance. Use a light coat and allow it to dry before continuing.

Rub your fingers over the dry primer coat. If the coat feels rough, sand it again lightly with the sandpaper.

Apply the latex paint to the ladder back chair with a paintbrush. Use satin or semi-gloss paint to give it a modern appeal. The chair will have a smoother finish if you apply two or three light coats instead of one heavy one. Wait for the paint to dry on the chair before adding other coats.

Add a modern look to the chair by painting the horizontal slats in a contrasting color. Each slat may be a different color to match the accent colors in the decor. Another option is to paint only the seat. Wait for the paint to dry completely.

Use a clean paintbrush to add one or two coats of water-based polyurethane. This adds shine and protects the chair from wear and tear during use. Wait for the polyurethane to dry before adding additional coats if necessary to obtain the look you desire.