I bought this chair off the online classifieds for my area. It was brand new. The owner got it home and realized it didn’t fit their space like they had hoped. I got it for around $50. I bought it thinking it was white but when Shane brought it home I realized it was in fact tan. Tan was not going to work. I play around with the idea of upholstering it in a white fabric but after thinking on it for a month or so finally came to the realization it needed to be a COLOR.
Keep reading for a fun giveaway!
After thinking on it for another month or so I knew that the perfect color was navy! The master plan is to get this thing upholstered in navy velvet. I have seen so many blue velvet chair and sofas popping up all over and I am obsessed. But before I spent what could be a lot of money on upholstering it in a bold color, I wanted to make sure that was the correct choice for my space. That is why I decided to paint the current upholstery.
I have painted upholstery before so I knew what I was getting into. If you remember, I painted my office chair several years ago. It was a similar fabric in the fact that it was a little on the rough side already. Paint was not going to make that much of a difference on the textured fabric. Unlike last time, I used a paint sprayer. Oh man! It made it go by so much FASTER!
When painting fabric you need to either thin it down or add a fabric paint medium. Since you need to thin down the paint for the sprayer anyway it worked out perfectly. Once I sprayed and area, I rubbed my hands all over it to work the paint into the fabric more. In the past I have also used a rag for this step. By doing this you also can see where it needs more paint. My fabric had these skin tag like bumps (gross, I know, but now you know exactly what I mean!) all over and I was able to paint all of them by rubbing different directions.
It dried rather quickly too since I did not use a ton of paint. I think it looks perfect and will work great until I can afford to have it reupholstered in velvet!
Since painting the office chair 4 or 5 years ago I have received more emails about that project than about any other project. Here is my take on when you should or shouldn’t paint upholstered furniture…
Don’t paint it if it is a dark color and you are going for a really light color.
Keep in mind that the existing color (whatever it may be) may change the color of the paint you are applying such as if you paint a yellow chair blue, it will be on the greenish blue side.
I personally would not paint a piece of furniture bigger than a side chair. But if you want to tackle a bigger project than you go for it!
I would not paint something that has a soft fabric and is meant to be a cozy place to sit. The paint will make the fabric stiffer. Even if it is only a little bit, it will affect the coziness of the piece.
I would paint something small that already has a rough or stiff texture. And I would paint a piece that would otherwise end up in the dump and by painting it, it gets a new life.
As far as how much paint you need, it depends on the brand of paint, how much you thin it, the color of paint you chose VS the existing color of the piece, the texture and type of fabric it is, and how big the piece of furniture is that you are painting.
For this chair I filled the canister on the paint sprayer and did not use it all. On my office chair I used fabric paint in the small bottles and it took about 8 bottles.
Today I get to give away a paint sprayer to one lucky reader! Then you can paint all the things… even chairs :)
As an ambassador for HomeRight I was compensated for this post but the projects, ideas, and opinions are all mine!
What perfect timing! My husband I were just talking about looking into a paint sprayer to tackle our fence!
Paint sprayer and a new house go hand in hand! My husband has avoided buying one, but i keep tryin to convince him
i painted a trash can once! Still have it!
I’ve painted hardware, light fixtures, furniture, cabinets, frames, you name it! I have been wanting one of these sprayers for a while.
I haven’t painted anything really crazy … yet. But with a paint sprayer, who knows!
Awesome! Perfect timing as I am about to paint my kitchen! This would take so much hassle out of the project for me! Thank for the opportunity to win!
I just picked up 2 wingback chairs at a thrift store..I’m excited to try and paint them!
I never would have thought of this! Brilliant!
I have a loft bed that I would love to paint. It is all metal and all small bars, which is hard to hand paint.
I have a pair of chairs sitting in the garage that I was waiting to reupholster one day. They’re covered in a really rough fabric now. I never thought about painting them but I might just give that a try first. Thanks!
I painted a plastic laundry soap bucket once so it’d look nicer.
I’ve never thought of painting fabric like that. I would love a paint sprayer, we have way too many paint projects going on.
I want to paint a bunch of cabinets, and I want to paint my back door. (I really love the smooth finish with a sprayer!)
I am in the midst of a dozen painting projects. This paint sprayer would be PERFECT! Can’t wait to try painting my resale store chair!
I found your blog at a great time, because I am getting ready to paint two chairs that I got at a consignment store. They have beautiful lines, but they have faded. And we moved into a house that needs painting EVERYWHERE! Walls, ceilings, kitchen cabinets, vanities, and all the projects I am doing/planning. Currently I’m repairing two chairs I picked up on the curb (one in pieces) and hope to start painting them in two days.
I’ve painted a lot of things that probably most people haven’t painted, although I don’t know that any would be considered crazy. I painted a small wood stove Hunter green, to go on my patio, and after repointing, I painted the bricks around the foundation of my 150-year-old house. And the bulkhead door that I built. I did paint an ice bucket to sit beside my sink and hold peelings, coffee grounds, etc., until they go to the compost bin. Maybe some would consider that a little crazy. I’ll paint anything that stays still long enough!
Love the blue!! I’ve always wanted to paint my duaghter’s vintage dresser from a worn out yellow to Kelly green! That paint sprayer looks amazing!
I painted a rug once.
WOW< this looks incredible! I never would have thought to paint it like this… thanks for the giveaway
An old metal bed frame
The craziest thing I have ever painted is the bricks on the fire place. It looks awful, I picked the wrong color. But I never knew that I Could paint upholstery. You sure did a good job painting this chair, and the color is gorgeous!
Very surprised at how nice it looks. Would love to have a paint sprayer.
Thanks
I painted my roman blind in my den! So far the only thing I have attempted…but that would all change with a HomeRight Paint Sprayer:)
I once painted some old lawn furniture – it actually turned out better than I had hoped considering the horrible condition they were in before I painted them.
I haven’t painted anything crazier than furniture but now the wheels are turning. The sprayer would make it possible to paint a table we have that would take forever with a brush to paint all the carved details.
I just tried to paint my tv stand. What a mess!
Crazy?to my husband yes-but not to me….. I have painted the small waste basket in my daughters room and the ceiling fans to match
Would love to paint a couple of bamboo tables with this !!
The chair is so inspiring. It’s amazing how a little paint can transform something. I would love to try the paint sprayer. I have some major projects around the house that I need to work on.
I have painted lamps, toys and even a kitty litter container among other things. A paint sprayer would make painting so much easier and I have a list of things to paint for Christmas.
I have painted tiles, tin cans, and boxes.. not sure I’ve painted anything crazy. I hadn’t considered painting fabric. Does the paint rub off on your clothes when you sit in the chair? What if your clothes are damp or you perspire? Thanks for the chance to win the paint sprayer.
I have painted a recliner, bad outcome.
WOW! Thanks for the DIY on painting upholstery fabric – have a side chair to do now! Sure would love to win this sprayers to paint with. Can think of a hundred things I could paint with this!
Thanks you again – great info and giveaway!
Barbara in TN
saltillo3@yahoo.com
I havn’t painted anything too crazy, just furniture and basic stuff around the house!
I’m wanting to paint four dining room parson upholstered chairs (includes upholstered legs too) and I believe painting them would be an inexpensive way to change their old (1990s) tweed pastel colors to a newer color. I’m leery to try, but you’re article, and using a paint sprayer has inspired me to take the plunge. Now I must decide on the color. Thanks for the inspiration.
I painted my rock wall fireplace. Think 70’s style, orange colored rocks. It was a rock hounds dream…not any more!
I love the navy so much! We have a navy accent wall in our master bedroom. I’m not sure it counts as crazy, but I have a storage shed in my yard that I’m dying to paint. I mean, I know it’s just a shed, but it’s tan and brown (tan isn’t gonna work, right?!), and I want it to be pretty too!
I have never painted anything really crazy – unless you count a toothpick holder?
I would love to paint an old funky looking bed. Thanks for the giveaway.
Id paint my daughters couch! Its badly stained from kids…hee.
I painted my wheelbarrow PINK. I love it.
My fence is in need of a coat of paint but we keep putting it off because it’s so big. This would make short work of it!
I would have never thought of painting fabric with a paint sprayer.
I would love to paint my metal bed frame.
I would love this so that I can paint my dog’s kennel!
I’m pretty safe about painting, but I painted my mother’s hutch I inherited a dark hunter green that I still absolutely love.
I have a slipper shaped chair and eight dining room chairs plus a table that I want to paint. I’ve been researching different types of sprayers and its seems lots of bloggers are using the one you are giving away. I hope I win it but if I don’t I’m going to get it anyway. That table and chairs needs to be done for Thanksgiving!
I painted a bubble gum machine to match my kids’ room decor.
Nice work! Didn’t realize you could do that! The one thing I painted that made me really nervous were scratches in a car. I was trying to make it look better & used a paint marker! Actually looked pretty good!
I also was the “official paw print” painter outside of my son’s grade school. They’re mascot was a husky, so it was supposed to look like it walked down the sidewalk & into the building. Had to.do it every year b/c it would wear off otherwise!!
I am seriously considering painting our wonderful sofa which has a not so wonderful 90s floral thing going on. Building up courage :) the craziest thing I have painted would probably be my sink faucet. It was chrome along with everything else but when I painted everything a brushed gold with antique glaze on top it was a terrible sore thumb. I figured it’s just getting tossed anyhow let’s try. Holding up pretty good so far.
Interesting idea. I really haven’t been an experimental kind of person. But I am going to do this with my sons desk chair. Worse case we cover with fabric. Thanks for the idea.
I would love to try this before I bought it. Last sprayer of course was a different generation sprayer and I am sure inferior — but, I still would like to try it!
I want to paint my kitchen cabinets.
Nice tutorial and tips. I have the same chair in white at home. Never thought of painting it, but now…
I have painted quite a few furniture pieces; however, next spring it’s the house exterior!
I love navy & white together. It looks great! I’m still chicken with the whole painting a fabric chair thing, but the sprayer is for sure the way I’ll go when I get there.
I really want to paint our brick. Maybe this sprayer would give me the courage.
The craziest thing I have painted I would have to day were a pair of glasses with nail polish. And a pair of shoes.
I’ve never painted anything crazy, but we bought a brand new house earlier this year and I have lots of painting that I want to do. Every wall in our house is the same beige color. I want to do something crazy to the walls in my craft room.
Don’t really have anything crazy to paint, but have some big jobs to tackle.
I have not tried painting upholstery. However, you make it look easy.
I really want to do my countertops. They are a hideous orange.
Your chair looks great!
Winning this would motivate me to paint my kitchen cupboards and a bedroom set. I’ve painted several pieces of furniture and would love to able to do more with a paint sprayer.
Painting my patio pavers that were pinkish. Paint is such a fun way to make changes! I would LOVE to a sprayer to play with!! Thanks for the chance!
I painted my patio chair cousions. However, like your project I would like to paint my parson chairs. You have given me courage. Having a paint sprayer would really help me get it done.
I love the before AND the after here! Painting our kitchen cabinets is our next big house project but oh do I dread all the inside surfaces! A sprayer would make it so much easier! And in the small project world, I’ve been wanting to paint our orange Home Depot bucket we use for compost in our kitchen before it gets brought to the garden. It’s a handy eye sore of a kitchen accessory right now!
Love the chair makeover! Great deal. I’ve been racking my brains all day trying to think of something crazy I’ve painted. Gosh, I’m a boring person. Painted loads of things, none of them “crazy.” The best I can do is mention that I painted the exceeding ugly and cheap paneling in two rooms because I knew if I ripped it out it would be a huge job to fix (old house, plaster and lathing, arched doorway…). I was worried the paint would peel off the glossy surface over time. With the proper prep it turned out much better than I expected. Wish I’d done it years ago. While it isn’t beautiful, it doesn’t jump out and scream “Ugly” the way it used to. Blends in with the rest of the walls. Paint can be a relatively cheap answer to big problems. Have to think of something crazy to paint. I’ve been toying with the idea of painting my cement front steps.
It’s not crazy, but I paint cardboard boxes for Halloween costumes. I’ve done a TARDIS, a train, and most recently the Magic School Bus.
I wish I could paint the ugly sofa in my living room with that sprayer!!
A piano! We have an old hand-me-down spinnet that has seen better days, and I’m just dyin’ to paint it!
Gonna do it…soon! ;-)
I painted my plastic storage drawers!
I haven’t painted anything crazy but I will be thinking of a crazy paint project, in case I win!
Paint is one of my best friends! I’ve painted so many things: kitchen cabinets, all of the trim in our house, patio cushions, baby blankets, vases, picture frames…you name it! I’d love to have a sprayer for a smooth finish.
Once, I almost (ALMOST) painted my sofa. I realized though that not only did I not like the fabric anymore, I also didn’t like the overall style and it was falling apart. I bought a new-used (via Craigslist) sofa instead of painting my old one.
I painted a trash can
Pretty amazing!! I’ve been wanting one for a year for various projects!
we painted our whole house, inside & out. a sprayer would have helped a lot. don’t like brush strokes
Looks amazing! I want to paint all of the doors in my house black, all 10 of them, but I’m scared!!!
OK, you have convinced me to give this a try!
Nothing too crazy — just random home decorating accessories and rooms of course!
Fabulous
I paint just about anything that i can get my hands on!
Craziest thing I ever painted was a clock!
The craziest thing I’ve painted would probably be a rug. I have been oogling over this sprayer for months! With 6 kiddos I don’t get much project or time to spend creatively, and this would make a lot of those projects more obtainable! Thanks for an amazing giveaway!
I am so intrigued by painting upholstered pieces! Does it smell like paint forever?! This is a great giveaway I’ve been wanting one of These!!
That looks awesome! I’m eager to paint some swivel chairs for our den
Chair looks great. I really need this sprayer!
Looks great! I would have never thought that chair had been painted.
I don’t know how crazy it is, but I would love to use this sprayer to paint my cabinets.
I like stacey want to paint a chair but mine would be for my balcony want to paint it a bright summery color, not sure if I paint it turquoise or yellow.
The craziest thing I ever painted? Although I always threaten to paint our dog, my answer is old garden chairs.
Please, oh please pick me! I love doing DIYs but an old shoulder injury really slows me down. Also, my daughter wants a rainbow wall that blends through the colours and it would take forever dry brushing the transitions!
What haven’t I painted? It’s the cheapest pretty-it-up solution by far. I would LOVE a paint sprayer.
I’ve painted a lamp shade.
This is amazing, though I don’t know if I would have the guts to paint furniture…. you did a great job! I still have other projects I’d love to have a paint sprayer for, though!
thanks for being so brave and bold! Now I am convinced I can try this, too!
I haven’t done anything crazy yet but been wanting to paint the (very ugly) fabric of our wing chair … this sprayer will help :-) Thanks for the chance.
I have painted chalkboards and cork bulletin boards in my classroom. I have also repainted lamps to match my room colors. I am currently looking for a quality spray painter to use in my basement. It’s s big space and the thought of using rollers deters me from even buying the paint just yet!!
I’d paint EVERY THING if I had tha sprayer. LOL
Weirdest thing I painted was the hood over my stove to mimic stainless steel instead of cream.
I am not sure this qualifies as crazy but I have painted my mailbox and some flower pots.
The craziest thing I want to paint is a 1970’s sofa.
I’ve always wanted to paint a mural in our room — but she says NO haha
I would try this if I had a paint sprayer. Otherwise it would be too much. So let me win so I can try it! ;-) I also paint furniture so this would really save time.
I’ve recently painted a curb side find little love seat that was ugly but still had life. Sure wish I had a spray gun when I painted it. ;0)
Our soffets.
I would love to win this sprayer, it would change my whole creative process…I’d have time for more projects, pick me pick me
Would love to try painting upholstery!
I accidentally painted my living room Pepto Bismol pink and it definitely needs to be redone
I tried to paint velvet chairs…it didn’t work so great so I learned how to reupholster!
I painted about half of the doorknobs/ hinges in the house with oild rubbed bronze paint. Makes a huge difference, and has faired realy well, even with 3 kids.
My vintage pretzel rattan furniture was a bear and my wicker too.
Next the whole house in and out.
Thanks..this would help with all my projects.
Vickie
my daughter wants a tiger striped bedroom
I haven’t painted anything too crazy, but man I would give my right arm for a paint sprayer. One time rolling paint on my kitchen cabinets was enough!
I once painted a funky old candle chandelier and it turned out great.
I would love to paint the fabric on an old couch that I have
i want to paint my headboard when i was teen but my mom would not let me
how much do the sprayers cost? I know you had some at Pinners conference, I see them at Amazon for $20 less than another booth vendor. Where is the best place to buy them?