How to Paint a Wooden Chair?

For a thrifted decor or to give a new lease on life to your old wooden chairs, paint is an interesting option. Follow these few tips to achieve an excellent result.

Painting a chair

Depending on the type of wood and the condition of the surface, painting a wooden chair requires certain precautions. Here is our advice on preparation, choosing paint, and application techniques.

Important points for painting chairs

Stools, dining room or office chairs—these pieces of furniture are essential. They come in many styles thanks to different materials. We also love chairs because they allow for many customizations. Painting wooden chairs is one of these options. If you are considering this project, check the condition of the surface to be painted. For a varnished or painted chair, remove this top layer, sand it, then dust it off. Sanding is recommended regardless of the condition of the surface.

Preparation and choosing paint for wooden stools and chairs

For wooden chairs, as with other wooden furniture, the principles are the same. To paint your chairs, first prepare the surface. If you see any holes in the chair, fill them with wood filler. After it dries, sand with fine sandpaper and then clean with a clean, damp cloth. For the paint, choose acrylic furniture paint. It is suitable for all types of wood and MDF.

 Sanding is crucial to prepare the piece of furniture for a makeover. Work in the direction of the wood grain to avoid breaking the fibers. Otherwise, marks might appear through the paint. These precautions apply to all painting work on wooden kitchen furniture as well as on a chair. For drying, whether you used spray paint or acrylic paint, always isolate the treated surface from dust.

The paint and the essential finish

Application requires a brush and a small roller. The brush is used to paint details like joints, spindles, and legs. The roller is for large surfaces like the seat, backrest, crossbars, and apron of the chair. Before painting, apply a primer so the paint adheres well. Let the primer dry before painting, then proceed to the finish. The latter consists of applying a clear varnish. Prefer a water-based, solvent-free varnish. This final coat enhances and protects the paint.

Tips for giving a wooden chair a makeover

Looking for ideas to customize a wooden table and the matching chairs? Here are some suggestions.

Want something simple? For maximum effect, use decorative adhesive strips to create patterns or add a border on the backrest and seat. If you prefer to repaint the furniture, add a whimsical touch by painting the ends of the legs for a "dipped" effect. You can also add painted patterns instead of painting the whole chair. This lets the original wood show through, adding character to your decor.