Painting Fabric Furniture: Good Idea Or Recipe For Disaster?
Adding a coat of paint to your fabric furniture items is a great way to upgrade your furniture and give it a new look. Whether the fabric is worn out or you're simply tired of the print, painting over it is a simple and cheap way to refresh your bed frame, headboard, chair, or couch. This method isn't straightforward, however, as DIYers experience challenges with maintaining the softness of the cushion underneath the fabric and getting a uniform look after the paint dries. Yes, painting fabric furniture could end in disaster, but it can be avoided by using the right materials.
Before you paint over that furniture piece with fabric upholstery, first make sure it's something that would actually benefit from being refreshed. A piece with loose fabric or holes and tears may not be the best choice because the final result will be better when the weave is still strong. It's also better to go darker in color and use a paint type that works well with the specific fabric you're using to get good coverage.
Common issues and how to address them
Is this DIY project a good idea or a recipe for disaster? It depends on how you do it. Two common issues that people run into when the paint dries are that it leaves spots and speckles or the fabric hardens up. We think that this happens because the fabric isn't supposed to be painted directly on. In this TikTok, creator @traceysfancy recommends priming the surface first to seal the fabric.
The TikToker applied one coat of primer, sanded it a bit with fine-grit sandpaper, applied a second coat, and let it dry. After one last sanding, it was ready to paint like normal. When doing this previously, she would wet the fabric as she went, which is typically recommended, but it resulted in a hardened fabric that was stiff and uncomfortable to the touch. Priming creates a solid base, just like it does with other surfaces, and allows the furniture cushion underneath to maintain its consistency. Another product that can create a solid layer between paint and fabric is fabric softener. Sanding after painting will also help get rid of spots and speckles. Wait for the paint to dry completely then sand it lightly so the surface is smooth.
Getting it right
When shopping for paint, buy a high-quality product that is specifically for fabric furniture. Chalk paint is especially recommended for this type of application and Dixie Belle's line of chalk mineral paint is a good choice. Costs range from $10 to $150 based on can size. FabriCoat from Amazon is also designed to dye upholstery fabric. The 17-ounce bottle is enough for one armchair and costs $23. For primer, the TikTok creator used another Dixie Belle product. The B.O.S.S. primer is $15 for the 8-ounce container and $23 for the 16-ounce.
Before priming, prepare your furniture piece by wiping off any dust and dirt and treating any stains so you have a clean canvas. To prevent spots while you paint, get quality paint and get enough of it so you don't have to skimp on it. Also, get a brush that is made for the paint type you're using. Following these procedures and using the right materials will go a long way in ensuring your furniture paint project turns out great.