*NOTE - There are other examples of painted upholstery (mostly from readers) on the Chairs page at the top of the blog. In addition, there are other upholstery painting methods on that page, if you are interested.
I recently painted an upholstered chair and have been asked about the process. Below are before and after photos:
Why would I do this? Well, after I learned that recovering a wing back chair for my master bedroom would cost $500-700 total, I decided that just wasn’t in my budget. Not to mention, I haven’t seen any good fabric in this color anywhere (not locally)…
So, how could I do this cheaper?
I REALLY wanted a chair like in my inspiration photo. Not exactly like it, but the general color and shape.
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The wing back and the vibrant teal color were important elements of my master bedroom story board.
Then, I had an epiphany. I remembered seeing a painted chair a while back. So, I began to do a little research on painting upholstery. After all, I could surely afford to buy a used chair and paint!
After a day or two of getting my ducks in a row as far as a plan was concerned, I purchased this chair on Craigslist.
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It was in perfect condition. Well built. Great lines.
I began the painting process. First on a pillow as a test, though this post is about the actual chair.
Materials needed:
1 Quart of latex satin paint (in the color of your choice)
1 Spray bottle full of water, ready for refills
1 paint brush
Fabric medium (equal to the amount of paint that you use)
Acrylic craft paint in the color of your choice (should match the color of the Latex paint, but this can be skipped and you can only use latex paint should that be easier)
Sand paper in super fine grit
Tutorial:
1. Make sure the chair is wiped free of dust and debris. Clean it well.
2. Mix 1:1 parts of latex paint and fabric medium.
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I used Ocean Soul by Valspar. Below is a more accurate depiction of the color used:
Below is the textile medium that I used. It is by Delta Ceramcoat and I purchased it in 8 ounce containers at Michael’s.
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Fabric medium keeps the fabric from getting too hard. Note: Some fabric mediums require that you place an iron briefly on the fabric (or a hair dryer) after the paint dries.
I didn’t use much paint – maybe 1/8 of the quart. I mixed mine in an old cup. A little goes a long way in this phase, as it will be very watered down.
This will be your base coat.
3. Water that paint/ textile medium mixture down. Mix in about 1/2 the amount of water as paint. (1 part water to 2 parts paint.) Stir. It should look more like a stain than a paint.
4. Remove all seat cushions that are not attached from the chair or other furniture item.
5. Spritz (fine mist) the part of the chair you will start with first with water. I started on the seat cushion first. Don’t be shy, you want the fabric wet. Rub the water into the fabric.
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Sorry about the pics! I was new to blogging when I posted this!
6. Brush on the paint slowly while blending the best you can. Work the paint into the fabric. Don’t be afraid to use your hands. Always make your last stroke with the grain so the fabric lays in the right direction as it dries.
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Note: I tried it on a pillow first. If you have a pillow or if there is an underside of a cushion, start there and see how it goes.
The watered down coats should give you light coverage, almost like a stain. It will also act as a primer.
7. Do two coats this way. Each should be VERY thin. Water it down even more if you have to. Let the first one dry fully before beginning the second. I let mine dry overnight.
It will look worse before better. This is after one coat.
8. Don’t worry, your arm won’t fall off. It is tiring, though, so you won’t mind resting between coats.
9. Sand any particularly rough parts. Sand lightly with a fine grit sandpaper. In the direction of the grain, if possible.
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10. Once my chair was dry, I chose to spray painted the legs in a glossy white.
Below is the chair before the legs were painted, with two coats of paint on the upholstery.
After the legs were painted.
11. Now, it’s time for a final coat using the acrylic paint. Mix it 1:1 with the fabric medium, like you did with the latex paint.
Note: It is not necessary to do an acrylic coat. You can use latex again. However, most say that acrylic has more pigment. Either way, you want a third coat and you will want this coat a little thicker.
I mixed this in a cup as well. But, this time, be more generous with the paint and dilute it less. I’d do a full cup of paint, this size. (See below.)
Add just a few thimbles of water to dilute it a little.
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I had to mix my own color since the acrylic paints didn’t come in the color I wanted.
Spray the fabric with water again, just like you did on the other two coats. It simply helps it blend and go on more smoothly.
Paint this layer much more generously. This will be the layer that will cover the chair more completely. Don’t glop it on, but be generous. It should provide full coverage unlike the base coats.
12. I thought my chair needed a little bling, so I added some nail head trim on the arms. I got the spacing right by folding a piece of paper and taping it so as to laminate it.
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Then, I simply hammered them in! Nothing to it.
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13. Congrats, you have a new chair!
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And, here is a look at it in my master bedroom!
Is it crunchy or stiff?
It started out as a velvet fabric. It is not soft like velvet anymore, but it is also not hard, crunchy or sand papery. It’s like a stiffer rougher fabric, similar to painted canvas. If you rub it in the direction of the grain, though, it’s not bad at all. If you rub it in the opposite direction, it’s more rough.
Does the paint come off on clothing?
Not at all. I tested it out and even wet it and sat on it. No problem. Similarly, if you paint a t-shirt, the paint doesn’t rub off.
Tips?
- A smoother fabric makes for a more consistent color.
- The final paint layer is very important. It will give the consistent deep color. Be sure not to overdo it on the first two coats.
- Go light on seams. Water this down and don’t overdo it. Work it in to those areas. Don’t be afraid to use your hands.
- Sand down any particularly rough spots.
- For a more leather-like finish, you could try a glossy paint or a wax finish.
- It seems to work fine with latex paint only or just acrylic paint. See my second painted chair (acrylic only) and the readers pale pink chaise (latex only).
- You’ll find that the better shape the fabric is in, the better the paint will go on and the less stiff it will be. The arms on my chair were a tiny bit worn compared to the rest of the chair. As a result, they are a little rougher now. I do think that in time, with use, it will all even out in texture, though.
- It’s not a chair to cuddle in. It’s not super plush anymore. However, you will find other painting methods that are a little softer on the Chairs page of my blog.
- Someone made a good point – it’s a little like the concept of the velvet Elvis paintings.
- Best practice is to do a pillow first if you have one or the underside of a cushion if it is possible.
- I strongly suggest that this is tried on a chair that you would otherwise reupholster or get rid of so nothing is in jeopardy of being lost.
- It is perfect for a photography prop!
- See other painting methods on my Chairs page. There are many examples there.
Hope you enjoyed this step by step look into the process!
PLEASE let me know if you try this – I’d love to see photos!
I am constantly updating my blog with examples of painted upholstery. In fact, I added a new Chairs page that shows examples of painted upholstery on one page with links to posts. This is the best way to see other examples. Feel free to comment with any thoughts or questions.
Update 5/31/11: My second painted chair. Textured, no velvet and I did acrylic paint only.
Update 6/18/11: Reader paints a pale pink chaise. Latex paint only.
Update 8/8/11: It does not seem to matter if you do latex or acrylic. The main thing is to do thin layers and to spritz the fabric with water. Work it into the fabric, don’t let it just sit on top.
Update 5/17/12: The intro to my series on Simply Spray upholstery spray paint and an update on how my two painted chairs are holding up.
Update 1/6/13: A reader wrote: “I have to say that Martha Stewart Fabric Medium was way easier to work with than the Ceramcoat Fabric Medium I started with. Also for me, the coats I did with satin latex paint did not nearly cover the original color as well as the acrylic paint. I think in the future, I might use acrylic paint only mixed with the Martha Stewart medium. That mix was a lot thinner and easier to work with than the latex paint and Ceramcoat.”
P.S. I am not selling anything. I make no money off of posting on painted upholstery – I just offer information to my readers. It would have helped me as I was researching and deciding what to do, so I want to offer it to others.
If you choose to follow this tutorial, it is at your own risk. I am not responsible for the outcome, nor do I claim that it works perfectly for everyone. I show fails as well as successes on my Chairs page. I have only tried it on the two particular chairs that I own and am sharing my experience in hopes that it inspires and helps you.
I tried this and used half water and half fabric softener and gesso instead of fabric medium just to kind of test it; being an art student, I have more of that stuff around. It came out beautifully, and the fabric softener really helped with the stiffness. I did a friend’s chair using this exact method, and she loved it.
Just finished painting a wing back chair i bought at a garage sale for $3. And it looks AMAZING!!!!!
I just wanted to say I think your chair looks better than your “inspiration photo”. Great job
I have a patterned wingback chair… dark green with some tacky pattern. Do you think this would work painting it a burnt orange color?
Sure, I don’t see why not.
Great money saving idea! Have you heard if anyone used scotch guard to protect paint on patio furniture?
thanks,
jess
I have not. But, I think that could be a great idea. Let me know if you try it.
What type of wax finish would you suggest using ? I painted a velvety type victorian bench – very stiff. I must have done something wrong , so I am thinking if I use a wax finish it may help smooth it on the top , but I have no idea what I should use. Any advice would be greatly appreciated !!
Thank you
Tamilyn
Sorry- is it the same wax as wood furniture?
Yes, the wax paste that rubs on and buffs off. But, please note, that I’ve never used it on fabric, personally.
Use Annie Sloan clear wax
Have you heard of anyone using the chalk paint on upholstery?
Yes I have. And, they said it was successful.
Good Evening,
I have a tan microfiber couch that I am interested in painting a charcoal gray. Unfortunately, the dogs have stained it. Do you think the paint would cover stains or have you heard from anyone else who has painted a stained piece?
Most people do report that stains are covered by the third coat.
I painted a green/maroon/gold striped wingchair off-white. Love it! Thanks for the inspiration! I’d send you a before/after pic but don’t know how.
How much fabric medium did you use…how many bottles all together on your blue chair?
I can’t recall for sure. Perhaps I said somewhere in the comments at the time? It may be worth reading through them. I think it was a few large bottles. I’m not certain though. At least two.
I have a dark red microfiber couch that I would love to paint a cottage white…..is it possible to go from red to white?
Yes. Please see examples of chairs that have gone from dark to light on the chairs page. In fact, I am about to add a new one that was dark and went white in just a few minutes.
Do you same after each coat or after the final coat?
*sand
Sand… yes. Sand between each coat if you feel it’s too rough or there are any globs.
Hi! Im planning on painting three armchairs covered with a thin, quite hard layer of fabric (so they are not soft to begin with). My question is: is the textile medium compulsory? I would have used the textile medium but here in Estonia I can’t seem to find a product that would be similar to the textile medium you are using. If it is necessary to use the medium, is there a textile medium recipe or should I just order it online? The chairs would be used daily.
Well, since I haven’t personally tried it without, I am not sure. However, some have and say it’s fine, just harder. I’d try it on a pillow or underside first and go from there. If you aren’t worried about softness, you may consider gloss and just go for a harder vinyl/ leather look.
I am likely going to use your method on my faded patio cushions. Because of the shaded areas on the cushion I think using your method will be better than Simply Spray. Do you think using outdoor acrylic paint would be best on furniture that will be used outside? Or just regular acrylic paint?
Yes, that would probably be best. I haven’t personally used the outdoor acrylic paint, but it likely fades less.
Hi, wish I ha seen this tutorial before using RIT dye on a gorgeous button tufted chair. I’m going to lighting sand the excess of but is there anything I can use to seal in the color? Not concerned about stiffness. Thanks!
Check out the rit dye fail on the Chairs page. I’m not sure how to seal dye in. Maybe a coat of wax?