The Mistake Everyone Makes When Painting Fabric Chairs (& How To Avoid It)

So you've decided to paint your fabric chairs. Maybe the upholstery is in good condition, but you want a fresh pattern or a different color; maybe you're not super handy with a nail gun. Whatever the reason, painting your chairs rather than reupholstering them is an easy way to DIY a new-to-you look. Without the right tools and techniques, though, painting your fabric furniture can be a recipe for disaster. If you're dead-set on sprucing up your fabric chairs with a coat of paint, the number one mistake you need to avoid is using too much water during the painting process. When you're coloring fabric, you'll mix your chosen paint with water first, and the key to achieving a good result is getting that ratio just right. Chalk paint, a great paint variety to use on upholstery, requires a two-to-one water-to-paint ratio.

You'll also use water to lightly dampen the fabric before you brush on the first coat of your paint-water mixture — be sure not to soak the fabric with water, otherwise you'll risk the paint bleeding into areas that you have already painted, making for an uneven finish. Additionally, soaking your fabric with water or using a paint-water mixture with too much water can cause the water to seep into the cushion of the chair — a mold risk if we've ever heard one.

First, gather your tools and materials. You'll need your chair, your chosen paint, a spray bottle filled with water, a paint roller and a nylon paintbrush, some high-grit sandpaper, and a sealant like clear liquid patina or wax. Before you start painting fabric, make sure your chair is in good condition; vacuum the cushions thoroughly, and tape off anything you don't want painted, such as wooden or metal legs.

In a large bucket or a clean, empty paint can, mix together your paint and water with a stirrer. Working in small, even sections, mist the fabric with your spray bottle until it is damp but not sopping wet. Once you have misted one section, paint it immediately using your roller or brush. Use thin layers of paint and even, circular motions. Once the whole chair is painted, go over the slightly damp paint with your high-grit sandpaper, wiping away any excess paint as you go. Let the paint dry for at least two to four hours before using the same technique to apply as many coats as needed to get your desired color. Finally, once the chair is completely dry, seal the paint onto your chair with your sealant of choice, using the same painting technique. If you want to move on to the non-fabric part of the chair, here are five savvy tips for painting your furniture like a pro.