September 9, 2015
How to Spray Paint Upholstered Furniture
Home Interior
Hey guys, today I’m sharing how I used my HomeRight Finish Max sprayer to paint these ottomans! People have been painting upholstery and I thought I’d take it one lazy step further! Lazy on my part that is. I have found that it’s so much faster and easier to load my gun and spray paint versus using a paint brush - when I can. Here we go, how to spray paint upholstered furniture! 
From brown to gray, here’s what the ottomans looked like before: 
I bought these at Goodwill with the intention of refreshing them with new fabric. After 1 year 3 years I came to the conclusion that I’m not working as fast as I used too. I gave myself two choices, get rid of them or do something to them. After hearing all the successful stories of painting fabric, I jumped on the bandwagon. I can say that all the reports are true. The fabric is stiffer but it softens up after sanding and waxing. 
I have included my Amazon affiliate link for products used. Here’s what I did:
- Removed the feet.
- Load your HomeRight Finish Max paint sprayer with chalk based paint, diluted according to directions.
- Position the upholstered piece for painting. I started at the bottom first.
- I used my HomeRight Spray Shelter, it’s like a painters dream tent for over spray!
- Spray each piece until desired coverage is reached. The chalk based paint dries quick, making re-coating easy.
- After the piece is dry use 120 grit sand paper to sand completely.
- Wax with your favorite wax. I used clear antique wax from Maison Blanche.
I love the new color so much more than the old one. It’s a light blue/gray call Sugar Cane. 
The texture of the fabric makes it look like leather, a pretty grayish instead of the boring tan from before. 
Thanks so much for following my projects! I used my HomeRight Spray Shelter - it’s great when spray painting so the over spray doesn’t go everywhere. I can see it coming in very handy this winter in the garage! 
30 Comments
ArchiveI have two upholstered swivel chairs I've been wanting to paint. Know this would make it so much easier. That tent is great!
I am still shaking my head about using it on fabric. I would love to give it a try.
I have an outdoor cart that I would like to paint
The first thing I would paint would be my couch!! It is the ugly brown your ottomans were. Igh.
I go nuts thinking of all the things I could do with this sprayer. I can only pray hard! I love the new look of the ottomans.
bookcases for a built-in wall unit media center
oh, I love, love your bedspread! Would you share the source?
Wow! What a giveaway! I would paint my kitchen island, and bar stools! It's builders-grade bleh, and I'm ready to brighten up my kitchen!
Terrific looking! Could you explain why you waxed the fabric and the effect? I have a velvet-covered chair I might consider painting. But it's dark pink....might be difficult to cover?
Linda, I used a chalk based paint and the wax seals it and makes it more pliable. You could probable use regular paint and a fabric medium. I haven't tried that...yet.
Thank you,
Debbie
They turned out beautifully! I would use my sprayer in our dining room table and chairs. Glad to hear that chalky paint works with the sprayer!
Thanks for a chance to win a Homeright Finish Max paint sprayer! This would make projects soooo much easier! Can't wait to try one!
I was recently gifted a 80s style bleached oak entertainment center, complete with smoked glass doors. It could really use some paint to jazz it up.
Still not sure what to do with the doors: ditch them? Try some glass etching? Decopauge some fabric over them? Choices, choices...
our sofa table
LOVE your 'new' ottomans! I haven't painted fabric yet, either, but would love to give it a try... on an old rocker that belonged to my husband's mother.
Interior shutters then my cabinet doors.
I would paint an old school house desk that is in need of a makeover!
I have an.old comfortable sofa chair that is screaming for a new life. This would be the first project I would tackle.
I'd first paint an old bookshelf
I would paint my living room first.
My loveseat in the livingroom
Love your new ;) grey ottomans, Debbie! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to paint our outdoor wrought iron table with that awesome HomeRight Sprayer!
my dressers
I want to paint my dining room chairs which are light colored. How much does a can of chalk based paint cover apprx? I have 6 chairs with seat and back support. These are traditional chairs. Im trying to figure out how much of the pain I should buy. Also, the wax, what type of wax for lighter pain should you use to protect the fabric? (example of the chair style I have, in url)
Thank you.
I painted a chair that was upholstered in cotton fabric. I used craft paint & mixed it with "medium" which is also available with craft paint. Made to mix with paint for painting fabric. I gently after 1st coat. Gave it a 2nd coat then a very light sanding. Much to my surprise it took on appearance of a tan leather chair. Used it for 10 years. No one knew it was painted. It was amazing.
I love those kinds of surprises! You were ahead of the painted upholstered curve :)
I love the color and they look great! Does the paint rub off? Are they strictly decorative or can you sit on them once they have been painted?
I wish I had seen this before I painted a very large sofa awhile back with a brush it took me way to long. I wish now I had used my Homeright Finish Max.
I wouldike to know if any paint will come off later onto like clothing, trying to do chairs for a Reception hall, and what about spills onto the painted fabric.
The paint did not come off on our clothes.