Today, I’ll show you how to paint wicker furniture. You can easily update wicker, rattan or woven furniture with a fresh coat of paint so it looks new again. Follow these same steps for painting outdoor woven furniture too!
I’ll cover what paints to use on wicker, how to get a perfect paint job and more!
This post was sponsored by HomeRight. Those of you who follow my blog know how much I love HomeRight products and how often I use them. Click here to see more HomeRight paint projects I’ve done!
What is the best way to paint wicker furniture?
You can paint wood wicker and woven resin furniture one of three ways:
- Use a paint brush – The least expensive method but not recommended! Getting paint into all the nooks and crannies of wicker furniture would take forever and it’s hard to get an even coat. Plus, you’ll ruin your good paint brush by pouncing it into the woven wicker to work the paint in.
- Spray Paint – This will work on small projects. The downside is a good quality spray paint is expensive. Spray paint usually thin, can be hard to apply evenly, has limited colors and looks like spray paint. Which all affects the quality of how your painted furniture looks in the end.
- Paint Sprayer – By far the best choice for painting any kind of wood or resin woven, indoor or outdoor furniture. A paint sprayer gives the most consistent smooth overall finish by far, can be used with a wide variety of paints and is the fastest for large projects.
I used about 3 cups of paint when I painted this wicker chair. Using the paint sprayer I was able to get a factory type finish with no dark wood showing through anywhere. Oh, it’s a smooth finish as well, there isn’t one drip or brush mark!
How To Paint Wicker Furniture
Supplies to needed to paint wicker furniture, rattan or woven furniture:
- HomeRight Finish Max Extra Paint Sprayer
- HomeRight Large Paint Shelter – optional but protects furniture when painting outside
- drop cloths
- paint – this is what I used in Cartouche Green
- white paint
- clean painters rags
- Add optional detail over paint – old paint brush or chip brush – These are a great deal
- painters tape
- Simple Green cleaner
- safety goggles
- Respirator breathing mask
I made a quick 3 minute video to show you how to paint wicker furniture so you could see my steps and how easy it was to use the Finish Max Extra paint sprayer.
httpv://youtu.be/k5sOvSsB48w
Step 1. Repair and clean the wicker furniture before painting.
If you need to make any repairs to your woven or rattan furniture do it before moving on to the next step.
Prepare your furniture and save time by cleaning and deglossing at the same time. Remove loose dust and dirt by vacuuming if needed. You may need to use a brush and a hose to rinse if there’s a lot of dust build-up.
Next, wipe your chair or item well with Simple Green and a clean cloth. Simple Green will clean and degloss your surface at the same time. Deglossing is a must when painting and gives the new paint a better surface to adhere to and prevent flaking.
Allow to dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step.
Step 2. Tape-off areas that you don’t want painted.
Use painters tape and plastic drop cloths to protect any areas that you don’t want painted. Garbage bags cut down to size work great for chairs and small furniture pieces!
Step 3. Mix paint and prepare the paint sprayer
Now you’re ready to paint.
Which paints are best for painting wicker furniture?
You can use chalk paint, mineral paint, milk paint, latex or even an oil base paint on wicker, rattan and woven furniture.
If you’re using chalk, mineral or milk paint, it needs to be self sealing! Self sealing paint means it does not need a wax or another type of clear topcoat to seal it to your furniture item. It should list that it is self-sealing on the label. If you’re not sure ask before investing in your paint.
I promise you…you don’t want to try to wax wicker furniture by hand!
If you are painting outdoor woven furniture use a high quality outdoor latex paint. It will last longer has UV blocking built in and be fade resistant.
How to prepare the paint for the paint sprayer.
First, you’ll need to mix the paint to the proper consistency. I slowly added water until my paint was the consistency of thin pancake batter. I used about three cups of paint to paint my wicker arm chair.
Tip: Add some water to the bottom of the paint container first before adding paint and the paint will mix better and quicker.
My HomerRight Super Finish Max comes with four tips for different types of paint. I used the green tip for this project. Use a piece of cardboard to test the paint flow and spray pattern. It’s easy to adjust the spray flow on the Finish Max Extra with the little dial that’s located on the handle.
Step 4. Begin Painting from the underside or back.
I like to start at the bottom on a piece so I can see how the paint sprayer is coating my piece before moving on to the more visible areas. Paint with a slow and even back and forth motion. Apply paint from different angles to get an even coat of paint into the nooks and crannies on your woven furniture.
You’ll need to apply at least two coats of paint. Wait for the first coat of paint to dry before applying another layer of paint. Flush your paint sprayer with clear water in between coats so the paint doesn’t dry in the sprayer while you wait.
Step 5. Allow it to completely dry.
Allow the paint to dry to the touch before taking off painters tape and protective plastic. As hard as it is, let the paint cure before using your freshly painted wicker furniture! I usually wait for about 2 weeks to allow the paint to harden and cure myself. Waiting makes a huge difference when it comes to how well the paint holds up.
Add optional finishing detail.
This step is optional. Dry brush paint in a contrasting color on the wicker chair it adds dimension.
I share a great example of the dry brushing technique in my Bakers Rack makeover tutorial. Use a clean painters rag to wipe off excess paint. Dry-brushing paint on wicker furniture looks best when the layer of paint you’re adding is not perfectly even.
This step always adds a nice depth to a paint project.
What I love about using the Finish Max Extra was that it comes with different spray tips for different types of paint. Clean-up was easy, I just ran water through the sprayer and rinsed the pieces.
I would have spent the same amount of time washing out a paint brush.
My painted wicker looks great next to my wall mounted TV cabinet. I changed out the orange cushion for the neutral off-white and like it much better.
All in all, I think it’s a big improvement. I’m loving this color so much better than the original dark wood!
Pin this project for later and share with your friends on Facebook!
Do you have a piece of furniture that really needs a makeover?
Debby W says
Love the wicker chair and the directions. Question, do you think this would work on a wicker dresser and nightstands? Or will I go crazy?
Wendi Wachtel says
Hi Debby,
You absolutely paint them all! You’d be surprised how pretty freshly painted wicker can look! Please share a picture with me if you do paint your set!
Charles Bower says
HI Wendi, love it. where did you get the orange seat cushion?
Wendi Wachtel says
Hi Charles,
That cushion came from Pier One. They have a bunch in that shape and different colors. Hope you find one too!
Danielle says
Everyone commented on how beautiful the blue green color you spray painted your wicker chair, but you didn’t say what color that was, the manufacturer, and the finish (matte, semigloss?) This project was a couple years old. Do you still remember the paint color you used? Thanks!
Wendi says
Hi Danielle!
Thank you so much! I actually modified a paint for this project. It’s an Amy Howard paint color. I believe it was Cartouche Green believe it or not. It’s the prettiest blue-green. This paint is self sealing and matte like a chalk paint. It’s very durable which IO love. It’s thick from the can, but I added water to have it go through the paint sprayer. Good luck with your project!
Nicole Burnett says
How has the paint held up? I have two of the same chairs, and really considering this!
Wendi says
Hi Nicole! That’s a very good question. It’s been about a year and the chair looks just as good as the day I painted it. I say go for it! You’ll be so happy you did. I loved my chair but wasn’t loving the dark brown anymore. Share a picture of your chair after you paint it! We have a weekly share thread on the H2OBungalow Facebook page, just add our photo. It’s a lot of fun and it helps other readers when they see what everyone makes:) Thanks so much for your good question and stopping by!
Xenia says
Wendy I love the wicker chair,in your post say the is a vidio but I can find it can you help
Wendi says
Hi Xenia! Thanks so much for letting e know the video wasn’t working! Crazy technology, sometimes it works and other times it doesn’t. I’ve fixed it in the post if you’d like to see it now. Thanks so much for letting me know it wasn’t working!
Sean Mahan says
Wicker is a beautiful material! It looks a whole lot better after painted, but I get it when you say you keep postponing projects, I do it too…
Wendi says
Hi Sean and thank you! The chair does look much better than it used to, it needed to be a light color. Yes, on the postponing of projects too, I have some that are easy to tackle and others I just put off until I’m forced to do them:)
gail says
Loving the new color of the wicker chair Wendi, and Oh my! That new Homeright Finish Max Super is the bomb. I love it too!
gail
Wendi says
Hi Gail and thank you! The new paint sprayer is the bomb…and more! I loved using it so much I brought it with me to VT..LOL I plan on using it a whole lot here! Thanks so much for your sweet note and visit!
Sam @ A Happy Home In Holland says
I’ve been eying up wicker chairs that look a bit like this at the thrift store and now that I have seen how yours has turned out I think I really need to go back and get one. I love the colour you used and think it looks fab!
Wendi says
Hi Sam and thank you! I remember the beautiful sun rooms in England and if your area has them also I think a wicker chair or two would be perfect. In reality, I think a pretty painted wicker chair would look great almost anywhere. Good luck on your chair hunt. I’m sure you’ll make it look fabulous with a fresh coat of paint!
Vanessa says
That wicker chair just looks so much more ‘you’ in the new color and I’m still loving those stenciled vertical blinds.
Wendi says
Hi Vanessa and thank you! I think the color looks more me too. I don’t know why I took so long to get around to tackling this project?? I love the vertical blind project too, I’m thinking of doing another set for a different room. It’s on the “list”…LOL Thanks so much for your visit!
Deb Killion says
Love This! Color is amazing. Another winner.
Wendi says
Hi Deb and thank you. The color turned out better than I expected. I can’t wait to share the rest of the room makeover. Notes like yours make my day, thanks so much!
Losthorizonlisa says
Wow! That’s a knock out!,love it.
Wendi says
Hi Lisa and thank you! It looks completely different with a coat of paint. I should have tackled it a long time ago! Thanks so much for your visit and kind note:)
Debby says
I love wicker and the color you picked is great. I wish I had used a spray for my wicker project. Thanks
Wendi says
Hi Debby and thank you! I love this color too. It’s a bluish-green with lots of grey in it. Definitely unique. I’d recommend the investment of a paint sprayer if you can. They dramatically changed the time and quality of some of my projects. Thanks so much for you’re thumbs up and sweet note!
Angie ~ Ambient Wares says
Looks fantastic, Wendi! That color is so beautiful and just makes you want to sink right down and relax. The happiest day of my life was when I got a paint sprayer. Lol! Pinned 🙂
Wendi says
Hi Angie! Thank you! I love the paint color…the cushion needs to be changed out but I was on limited time. Now I’ll have to get to the side table when I get home. I’m with you on the paint sprayer, I jumped for joy the day mine arrived. I love this new one so much, I brought it to VT with me. I can’t wait to pull it out for a few makeovers!