How To Paint Wicker Furniture With a Brush
Ever since we finished installing our hardwoods floors I have been analyzing all my furniture. For some reason, I never realized how much dark stuff we really had. I had light colored carpet so I was fine in my mind.
In the living room, there lived a dark green sofa, dark brown leather chair and ottoman, and dark TV stand. In the den, there sits a dark brown leather sofa, dark brown wicker chair, black TV cabinet, black bookcase.
But now with our new dark brown hardwood floors, everything kind of looked “too dark” My wheels have been turning! Amazing what one project can turn into. Don’t even get me started on my kitchen and dining room.
I decided it was time to make some changes in the den. I love the comfy brown leather couch that we have in there, so my favorite wicker chair got my attention. Paint you my friend. I bought this great chair over 15 years ago at Pier One. I love the shape and weave on it.
Just look at the poor thing. The stain has worn off in so many places. Don’t worry, my love, I will make you look pretty.
Now, the big question. What color do I see you in?
I headed to Home Depot to grab some color swatches. I love this part! I pondered and pondered the colors I brought home. I first picked the light blue but quickly realized that I keep leaning toward that color too often. The pillows on the new couch are light blue. The TV stand is a light blue/green. The curtains in my dining room are blue and white. Hammy. See the pattern here.
Guess what color I chose?!
Sweet Cherry! I decided to go bold! I little pop of red will do wonders to this room.
I decided I would definitely use BEHR MARQUEE Exterior paint because it is a paint and primer. Why exterior? I knew it would be extra durable and more resistant to fading and stains.
With the chair being a dark stain, I knew that I would have to prime first. The first coat of BEHR MARQUEE is the primer coat and the second coat is the official painting of the surface. How great to only have to buy one product rather than two!
I also decided I would paint this wicker chair with a brush. You see, me and spray paint have a love-hate relationship. I like it for some things but for this project I just didn’t want to take any chances and deal with any blowing paint. I wanted fabulous coverage that I knew that BEHR MARQUEE would give me.
They day before I wanted to paint the chair, I took it outside to do a little cleaning. There was an awful lot of dust on the back and crumbs in the crevices under the cushion.
I first vacuumed the entire chair. Then I sprayed it with a white vinegar and water mixture and scrubbed it with a brush to get any additional yuck and dust off. I left it to dry outside for the rest of the day.
Because of the dark stain I expected that I would be putting on the first coat as a primer coat. Using a standard brush, I began applying the paint starting on the front of the chair, pushing the paint into the weave. The key is to NOT glob on a ton of paint on the brush. You don’t want to end up with a lot of drippy looking sections.
Wow, the coverage of this paint is fabulous! I actually debated whether to leave it like this. Looking a little antiqued and distressed. Decisions, decisions.
I left it to dry overnight again and decided to go ahead and add the second and final coat.
To get into the nooks and crannies, I pushed the paint into the harder to reach places with a cheap chip brush. These little brushes are great!
After letting her dry overnight again, we carried her back to her favorite spot.
I SO happy with how it turned out! So pretty and red! Just the look I was hoping for! Plus it’s very festive this time of year! 🙂
Gayle Wagner
What is she talking about? why can you not use outdoor paint indoors, I have been using this paint indoors on my wicker in my sun room for 40 years and I am still alive.
Jenna
Thanks for the useful info. Like the bold color. I am not planning on buying a paint sprayer and this is the first post I found today how to do it via paint brush- although I’m painting cane, I think it’s the same concept. I’m doing mine with leftover trim paint in a lightened version of simply white from Behr and also an altered version of sculptors clay for the metal arms and legs (also Behr which I used on walls in another room). Anyway, I am curious to know if you did anything else in that room of yours. I feel the lamp or something else could use a light white or neutral color to brighten and balance that section of the room. Also, lovely pillow. I would never have thought of that combo and it ties in the brown nicely while adding some contrast.
Andrea
Hi, great job in your chair! (Although red isn’t I’d use) Glad to hear that I can hand brush paint my bamboo and woven rattan furniture! I have nowhere to spray paint so brush painting has to be the way. Thankyou.
Donna O’
What an inspiring post – hating the color of my 4 wicker kitchen chairs! You say you used Behr Marquee EXTERIOR PAINT, but the link only shows Marqee Interior. Please advise, thanks!
Sherri
Hi Donna! Here is the hew link I found for the exterior Marquee. Hope this helps. Home Depot still has it believe. https://www.behr.com/consumer/products/exterior-paint-and-primer/marquee-exterior/behr-marquee-satin-enamel
Jessica
Beautiful job!!! I have several wicker pieces to paint and your methods make complete sense to me and now I can’t wait to start on mine! Thank you so much!
Sandy
Looks pretty. Now, I am going to paint my chair. We live on a boat, so using a paint brush will be perfect.
VICKY
Great artocke! But you are not supposed to use exterior paint on indoor furniture. Outdoor paint contains milecides and can make you sick and can develope respiratory issues! With Behr paint I believe that the 8mdoor paint is very strong and durable!
Vicky
Lol…what the heck is artiocke in my previous comment?! I meant…article!! And then there’s 8mdoor* for indoor!!! jeesh!
Karen Anderson
Thanks for your great instructions, I have two old wicker rattan rockers that I contemplated throwing away off my newly remolded front porch. But I am going to try to paint them to see if it makes them look new. They are pretty old and probably worth keeping. If it works, I may do the same with the large sofa that I also have to see if that works then maybe I will be able to keep and enjoy. Thank you
Candace L Tremont
I love your project I recently picked up a white wicker bedroom set for my granddaughter and it is very dull. After reading your story I have the courage to repaint it for them so it will be clean and bright. Thank you for sharing.
Sincerely Candace
Linda
So GLAD to see this done successfully with paint. I have an older Pier 1 chair as well. The entire chair is the twisted “banana leaf “type wicker. The stain has worn off in many places so I thought of re-staining. But really wanted to have another color…was afraid paint might chip off; wondering how your paint job has lasted since you did it?
Sherri
It has held up wonderful actually! I think the key is making sure you have primer in the paint.:-)
Maria Merced
Great job on the chair. Very pretty color. I’m going to buy a wicker desk for $10, which is white and want to paint it and gift to a friend so this post has given me the confidence to do it.
Thank you 🙂