How To Paint Wicker Furniture With a Brush
Ever since we finished installing our hardwood 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.
But it’s all good. I get to do all kinds of fun new projects to share with you all. In August, I started with my first project. The exciting TV stand Makeover.
I have also been saving for a looong time for a new couch and chair for the living room. After 15 years, we finally have them. I chose a comfy new light colored couch and chair that make me so happy!
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! 🙂
Karen Anderson says
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 says
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 says
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 says
It has held up wonderful actually! I think the key is making sure you have primer in the paint.:-)
Maria Merced says
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 🙂
Michelle says
I have two of the same chairs. On at least three occasions I was going to toss them out. I just couldn’t! Thank you for this post because I now know I can bring new life to them.
Sherri says
Oh my gosh, that’s so funny! I love this chair so much too. 🙂
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Tilly says
So happy that there are more funny people like me who don’t get on with spray paint.Your chair looks fabulous ,now I can look out for this paint in uk and get started.Thank you so much for all the tips you shared.
Wish me luck.Tilly
LeeAnne says
Great post. I also have a love/hate thing with spray paint. Behr Marquis is my go to wall paint. Now I’m excited to paint my thrifted wicker armchair.
Kevin Smith says
Thanks Sherri, good tutorial. I think we can use paint sprayer to paint hammock chair.
Gail in Florida says
OMG!! I have that chair & it is my favorite…great for TV and snoring. Thx for suggestions.. I just bought the standard white large rectangular mirror at Goodwill. If you love WHITE!!!!! totally it would be fine. But boring. I’m game. Raining hard in FL from Tropical Storm so something to ponder.
Robin G says
Your chair looks beautiful. Thinking of doing the same to a wicker storage table I have. How is the paint holding up.? Just curious I love Behr paint but, was a bit worried that the color would transfer to whomever is sitting on the chair or in my case, the items inside the storage table.
Sherri says
It is holding up beautifully! I have a cream colored seat cushion on it and there has been no transfer of color at all. (I did let it dry and cure for about a week before I put the cushion on it though) I am in love with it!
N.J. Pierce says
Hi Sheri,
I have painted (not stained) wicker … don’t want to have to strip it. Think I can lightly sand then paint?
Thanks in advance!
Sherri says
Absolutely! That’s exactly what I would do.
Julie says
I have an old wicker chair out in the garage that someone painted pale pink years ago, it could really do with some serious attention. I will have to see if this paint is available here in the UK, it sound perfect for the job.
Jennifer Dawn says
Isn’t it amazing what paint can do. I love how the chair turned out.
Laurie says
Love the color! Thanks for sharing your project with us at Snickerdoodle Sunday! I’d love it if you would share this or any of your posts with us at Brag About It link party – Tuesday link party that starts Monday at midnight. Pinning and tweeting to share.
~Laurie
Charlene Asay says
Love this chair. What a great color you picked. Thanks for the tips
Pam says
So pretty! I have a bunch of wicker that I’d love to paint. Maybe I’ll try it now. Stopped by from the SITS Sharefest.
April J Harris says
I didn’t realise you could paint wicker! I love the colour you chose for your chair. Thank you for sharing this great project with us at the Hearth and Soul Hop. Shared 🙂
Pam says
This is absolutely beautiful! Thanks for sharing all the good information and the way to get the best results! I’m visiting as your neighbor next door from What Joy is Mine!
Jen says
You chose a fantastic colour! it goes great against the colour of your walls and really pops. Do you know how long this coat of paint will last?
Sherri says
Thank you so much! It is wonderful paint! I don’t know for sure but will remember to do an update as time goes by as to how it is holding up.
Carole West @ Garden Up Green says
I love before and after photos this one is awesome. Behr paint is a favorite in our home I’ve been using it since gosh middle 90’s. It’s so easy to apply. I’m guessing this project went pretty quick once you chose the color – sometimes that’s the hardest part, you nailed it! That red really brightened up that spot! Excellent Project!