Old chair - to paint or not to paint?

[Esther00]

I can't decide if I should just leave these alone and just add a cushion. Or paint the seat and back rest, leaving the frame as it is. Perhaps a dark Inky satin blue.
They are for my informal kitchen diner. I like the old lived in look so not worried about the imperfections but they feel a bit orange as they are, hence leaning towards a bit of paint. I'm not up for sanding or otherwise stripping back to the wood as don't have the time or inclination!!
What would you do with them?

NIce as it is IMO but it really depends on whether the look works for your room.

I think seat and back painted, leaving legs wood would look great.
The legs are a lovely shape and the contrast would highlight that. However the seat and backs look a bit tatty so paint would also improve them.
Personally I would paint seats and back white but that might look wrong with your kitchen

Use masking tape when painting reverse of th4 back to protect the legs

Be aware that dark blue tends to show marks very easily. You'd need a good few coats. The DC have navy bedroom walls and every knock shows.

My rule of thumb is that if the woodwork is in good condition then don’t paint it. I love upcycling but can’t stand it when a perfectly good price of woodwork has been covered in paint. However also depends upon whether it goes with your room? If it doesn’t and that means painting it so it doesn’t get thrown away then paint it.

You could just do some stencilling on the back rest instead?

I paint loads of things, but think those are lovely as they are. Much as I love inky blue too. Maybe a seat cushion in a cool mid century print?

I'd use wood filler to fill where the veneer the has come off the back and seat then lightly sand, prime and paint with satinwood or Rustoleum furniture paint in satin finish. Leave the frame as it is. You could add a cushion in a lighter blue if you wanted.

Thanks everyone. A split of opinion as it's all personal taste I suppose! At least it doesn't seem a terrible idea either way. I will live with them for a while as they are I think. Any other low effort upcycling ideas for them most welcome :-)