Instead of Re-Upholstering Ugly Old Fabric, Try Painting It Instead!

by Courtney @ All Things New Again

$10

2 Hours

Easy

I really liked the shape and the curly-cue legs on this little bench, but I did not like the fabric. I couldn't decide if those were tiger stripes or zebras, but either way ... they had to go!
Usually, I would have to take the bench apart and reupholster the seat with new fabric, but I decided to try something new with this project. I decided to paint the fabric instead.

instead of re upholstering ugly old fabric try painting it instead, chalk paint, painted furniture, reupholster

I used American Paint Company all-natural clay chalk and mineral paint. The color is a pretty blue called Backyard Pond---perfect to cover up those wild animal stripes.

(I'm sorry ... I don't know why this photo is upside down. I keep trying to flip it, but it refuses!)

TIP: The trick to painting fabric is to water down your paint so it can soak into the texture of the fabric.

It took about 5 or 6 thin coats of watered-down paint to completely cover the bold stripes. Let each coat dry completely before adding the next one. You can see the stripes disappearing with each new layer of paint.

In the end, the paint covered the stripes completely. I also painted the metal legs with blue Backyard Pond, then came back and dry brushed white over it for a weathered look. I waxed the entire bench---legs and seat---with American Paint Company Clear Wax.

Here it is! It looks beautiful.

But for me, the true test was ... How Does It FEEL?

I am happy to report that it feels really nice. It is soft and almost leathery to the touch. I like it a lot. The paint covered the cotton fabric on my bench beautifully, but I wondered if it would work on fake leather too.

I had another chair in my stash to try it out ... one covered in 1970's naugahyde vinyl. Yuck! Please visit our All Things New Again Blog (the link is below) to see more photos of the chair project. Painting fabric (and vinyl) is easy to do and creates a beautiful new look without the hassle of reupholstering. I will definitely keep this technique in mind the next time I find a piece of furniture with great bones and ugly upholstery.

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2 comments

Marj MRC Creations on Apr 23, 2015
I love this! I love the blue you chose and that you softened the metallic parts with a white. I have a small foot stool that I was planning on removing the fabric and upholstery, but maybe I can do this instead. It has a faint smell of tobacco. I wonder if painting it will get rid of that smell. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try! Thank you for the inspiration. :)

1 Reply
- Courtney @ All Things New Again on May 06, 2015
  @Marj Thank you Marjorie! I bet painting would remove the tobacco smell--especially after you seal the paint. If that doesn't work, there's always Fabreeze!
  
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