So you want to give that old chair from your Aunt Joan a facelift but you don’t have the funds or the know-how to handle traditional re-upholstery? Have no fear, there’s still hope for you and that chair of yours.
Some upholstered furniture is more suited to paint therapy than others, so it helps to understand a few basic principles before we sling paint. Different fabric textures accept paint differently and a good rule of thumb would be susceptibility to stain or soil. If a fabric absorbs fluids or picks up dirt, it’s probably a good candidate for our technique. In other words, vinyl or faux leather won’t work for you.
Next is the condition of the piece. Is it sturdy? Are the springs and foam in good shape? Painting upholstered furniture is a good way to give new life to a sound piece that you’re just not into anymore, but probably not so great for pieces that need extensive frame work since that usually involves removing fabric. A little common sense goes a long way. If you’re advanced enough to tear down a chair, repair the frame damage, and reattach the fabric, then you might as well reupholster the chair, but that’s a different post.
