This tutorial for how to paint wooden chairs is from my book Hello Color. Be sure to pick up a copy if you’re new to crafting and want to add more color and DIY decor to your home!
We’ve all seen those wooden dining chairs clustered at the thrift store. The ones you’ve probably walked past without stopping time and time again. The ones that are functional, but not really exciting. But that changes today!
Because with a bit of color, you can give any basic wooden chair a new life. Sometimes all it takes to add color to your home is a bit of DIY and this project is a great entry for anyone new to painting furniture.
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Materials Needed
- Interior paint in Eggshell finish (that you’d get from paint counter at hardware store)
- Paint sprayer or high quality brush
- 220 Grit sandpaper
- Kilz 2 primer
- Sealer
Best Way to Apply Paint
A paint sprayer is going to give you the smoothest finish possible. It’s also great to use to get into between small spaces or if your chairs have carved details.
If you aren’t ready to invest in a paint sprayer just yet, though there are some affordable ones on Amazon, a high quality brush is a must.
You don’t really need a roller for this project, because you’ll mostly be painting smaller spindles. Take this into consideration when choosing your paintbrush.
Where to Buy Wooden Chairs
If you want to recreate this project, but don’t have wooden chairs at home already, here are my tips for where to buy a set for yourself.
I found this chair set on Cragistlist (it was 2017 when I first this did project, okay?!). They fit comfortably in an Uber XL for reference! Facebook Marketplace would be a more modern place to search.
Thrift stores often have a good inventory of wooden chairs. It also doesn’t hurt to check out garage sales or local Facebook groups to see if anyone has extra chairs on their hands.
Be open to the idea of the chairs not matching as you source. You can paint them all the same color for cohesion.
How to Paint Wooden Chairs
1. Prep the chairs. If there’s a glossy finish on the surface, you’ll need to sand until removed. If your chair is matte, you’ll just need to gentle sand to give the paint something to cling to.
Using a damp lint-free cloth, wipe off the chairs so you’re not painting over dirt or dust.
2. Apply your paint (with either a paint sprayer or brush). You will need 2-3 coats of paint, letting each coat dry for 2-3 hours in between.
To keep your brush from drying out, store in a ziplock back and seal.
3. Once your final coat is applied, let your paint cure overnight before sealing.
How to Seal Painted Wood
A chair is high trafficked piece of furniture, so sealing the paint will be key to protect from any scratches or nicks from daily wear and tear.
There are two sealers that I would reccomend:
1.Varathane Water-Based Topcoat in clear satin. You’ll need to apply this product with a brush (avoid using in a paint sprayer).
2. Minwax Polycrylic in clear satin. You can choose a different finish depending on the amount of shine you want. This product dries quickly and shows imperfections, so be sure to practice on scrap wood if this is your first time using it.
Wait until your paint has dried overnight before sealing. Apply sealant of choice and then let cure for at least another 48-72 hours before using. The longer you can let the piece cure before using, the better.
And that’s how you paint wooden chairs! Let me know if you have any questions about this home decor DIY.
If you’re looking for other ways to add color to your dining room, here are a few of my go-to tips:
Other Ways to Add Color to Your Dining Room
- Mix up your textiles! Swapping tablecloths and napkins can change the entire vibe.
- Now that you know how to paint wood, give a hutch a colorful makeover!
- Add a bold rug under your table– just make sure it will hide stains or clean easily.