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    Home » Do it Yourself » Home Decor » How To Paint Wicker Furniture With a Brush – Chair Makeover

    How To Paint Wicker Furniture With a Brush – Chair Makeover

    Published: Dec 4, 2015 · Modified: Jul 27, 2020 by Sherri · This post may contain affiliate links · 34 Comments

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    a red painted chair next to a table and lamp

    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.

     

    a light green painted tv stand

    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.

    a brown ration chair next to a end table with a lamp

     

    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?!

    swatches of red and blue/green paint

    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.

    a brown ratton chair

    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.

     

    A close up of a brown wicker chair being vacuumed

     

    a brown wicker chair being cleaned with a blue brush

    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.

    a paint brush painting red onto a wicker chair

    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.

    a red wicker chair

    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!

    Paint Brush painting a wicker chair red

     

    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! 🙂

     

    a red painted chair next to a table and lamp

     

    a brown wicker chair and a red wicker chair

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    Filed Under: Do it Yourself, Home Decor

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jenna

      December 04, 2021 at 12:12 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Andrea

        January 15, 2023 at 3:02 pm

        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.

        Reply
    2. Donna O’

      July 27, 2020 at 5:49 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Sherri

        July 27, 2020 at 5:58 pm

        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

        Reply
      • Jessica

        September 03, 2021 at 8:38 am

        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!

        Reply
    3. Sandy

      February 20, 2020 at 8:22 am

      Looks pretty. Now, I am going to paint my chair. We live on a boat, so using a paint brush will be perfect.

      Reply
    4. VICKY

      December 16, 2019 at 2:15 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Vicky

        December 16, 2019 at 2:20 am

        Lol…what the heck is artiocke in my previous comment?! I meant…article!! And then there’s 8mdoor* for indoor!!! jeesh!

        Reply
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