Home Decor

Home Decor
Home Decor Ideas

Best Furniture Paint

Best Furniture Paint
Favorite Furniture Paint

BEST Furniture Makeovers

BEST Furniture Makeovers
Best Furniture Makeovers

Painting Upholstery Fabric With Chalk Paint®


painted chair, painted couch, painting upholstery, how to paint upholstery, painting a fabric chair



I think this has to be one of the most enjoyable projects that I’ve done so far. If you’ve read my blog for any length of time you know that I absolutely love Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® (and I don’t get paid to say that).


I have painted wood furniture. I’ve painted glass. I’ve painted hardware. I’ve painted lamps. I’ve painted metal. But, fabric? Really!? This, I had to try.


This post may contain affiliate links. Read our full disclosure here.


thrift store couch, how to keep fabric soft after painting, painting fabric, paint upholstery, painting upholstery tutorial




I had been looking for a smaller sitting solution for our living room and came across this vintage settee.  The seller was a cute gal who had just moved into an old row house. Unfortunately, it didn’t fit in her new layout.



Her asking price said I just want it gone… and I was happy to take it off of her hands! I couldn’t believe how lucky I was. The bones of this piece were fabulous! The frame was sturdy. The springs were perfect and even the upholstery was newer… just not my style. Okay who are we kidding… who’s style would this be?







I love it when you can create the look of an expensive piece of furniture for very little money. Painting allows you to do just that. I’m not going to lie. I sat on this piece for a little while. Both literally and not literally because I couldn’t decide what color to paint her. 



Should she be a deep turquoise or emerald green? I’m smack dab in the middle of transitioning my living room colors from grey and yellow to another color pallet. After much consideration emerald green was the winner…


Tutorial: How To Paint Upholstery Fabric

(Some of the links below are affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click here for full disclosure.)


Materials Used To Upholster Fabric


Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® in Antibes Green
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® in Florence
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® in Aubusson Blue
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® in Graphite
Squirt Bottle filled with water
2" Paint Brush
Annie Sloan Clear & Dark Wax
Small Paint Brush
Old T-shirt


Steps To Create Custom Emerald Green Chalk Paint®

Mix 2 parts Antibes Green, 1 part Florence and 1 part Aubusson Blue to get this rich emerald green  chalk paint® color. Add a little water to the paint and mix it up really good. I didn't want the paint to sit on the fabric, I wanted it to soak right in. 


I didn't measure but if I had to guess I would say I added a total of 1/4 cup water to a quart of paint. (I like to add a table spoon of water at a time and then stir. You can always add more water but you can't take the water from the paint.) 



How To Apply Chalk Paint® To Fabric


Apply one light coat of your slightly water downed chalk paint® to your fabric. Use your water spray bottle to dampen the fabric just slightly before you paint. This helps spread the paint easier as well as helps the paint to soak into the fabric. The first coat looks like crud. ;) Hold on tight! 


The second coat gets better! (Wait 24 hours and make sure that the fabric is dry before painting a second coat.) While waiting for the upholstery fabric to dry,  I used this small paint brush and painted the settee frame in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® in Graphite. I didn't tape off my edges. These small paint brushes are the perfect size for painting the edges and getting into tight spots! 


Once both coats are dry,  apply clear wax with an old T-shirt to the fabric to seal it. The settee frame was sealed with a mixture of of dark and clear wax.



The Berquist Settee came out looking absolutely bold & lovely... and had a feeling of a soft suede. It also passed the green bum bum test. :) 



painted upholstered chair, painted upholstered settee, materials to paint a couch, techniques to paint fabric, painting upholstery successfully, chalk paint couch



UPDATE!: Some of you have asked me how the paint holds up on fabric. I'm happy to report that as of Fall 2016, our settee is still going strong! It looks almost as good as the day I painted it... Three years later!


Take risks! Take chances. You might be surprised at what can happen…

Carrie || Thirty Eighth Street



If you enjoyed this painted upholstery tutorial, you might also like this painted chair makeover! Would you like to learn more about refinishing furniture? Stop by and check out our Furniture Painting & Tutorials Resource Guide!







painting fabric, painted fabric, painted upholstery, painted chair makeover, painted settee, chalk paint painted upholstery with chalk paint, painting upholstery





44 comments

  1. What did you do to "wax" the fabric - never heard of that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I rubbed Annie Sloan Clear Wax into the upholstery with an old clean/soft t-shirt.

      Delete
  2. How has this piece held up over the past year? I'm thinking about trying this on a couch we use all the time but I'm still just a smidgen skeptical. Everything in my body says "don't paint the couch!" lol!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This settee doesn't sit in our TV room. So we aren't laying on it and lounging around. But it does get sat in 2-3 times a week with multiple people on it. I have two boys and it's been through them and a move in the past year and it looks just as good as when I painted it- I've been pleasantly surprised! Before I painted it, I just thought to myself that if got a little ding or stain here and there, I could just easily do a quick touch up paint to fix it... and it would still be cheaper then getting it dry cleaned! :) Good luck on your fun project!

      Delete
  3. Wow, that was some project! I just love the paint color and what a bargain on the price of the settee:) I found you at the Two Uses Tuesday party and would love it if you would party with us too! Friday Favorites throws open the doors every Thursday at 7PM at mustlovehome.com. I hope you will come and share with us:) Hugs-Christine

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Christine! Thank you for the lovely compliments and for extending an invitation... I'll be sure to stop on by!.. Carrie

      Delete
  4. Really nice makeover, That green really pops!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great project, I'm glad it pasted the bum bum test. I have never thought to use wax on fabric, interesting idea! We are so excited that you linked up to Merry Monday this week! Sharing your post today on my FB Page. Come back next Monday for another great party share! Party opens Sunday night! Have a great week!
    Best,
    Kim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by and for sharing this project! We'll see you again at Merry Monday!

      Delete
  6. I always am curious how painting upholstery turns out in real life... you couch looks gorgeous! Such a great way to re-purpose a piece of furniture without having to completely take it apart and re-do it! Plus I'm loving the color scheme for the room re-do... those white and grey chairs look delicious! Thanks for linking up with us at the Welcome Home Wednesday Link Party this week... I'm featuring your post in my weekly round-up... it will go live tomorrow (Saturday) morning!


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Betsy! I've had this settee for three years now and it has held up fantastic! This was such an inexpensive flip. :) Thank you for sharing this with your readers! I'm honored! Have a great weekend... Carrie

      Delete
  7. I love this! I have been wondering how to paint fabric so it wasn't hard and uncomfortable, this is perfect! And I love the green. Your style is similar to mine, I love seeing what you are up to! So fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nikki- I really think the hardness comes from the type of upholstery you're painting. If it's plush, it will come out a little harder. ;) I always advise others to do a test spot to see how they like it. But, painting upholstery is definitely not hard. If you're on the fence to try it, go for it! Thanks for leaving your nice note, I appreciate it!.. Carrie

      Delete
  8. What a great find of that settee. And it's final look is gorgeous! I've been researching painting fabric for months and I'm still not brave enough to do this but boy, your project is inspiring me.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Another amazing paint project! Love that green! I used ASCP to paint a chair awhile back and it didn't hold up at all however, the fabric was totally different. Thanks for linking up at Best of the Weekend! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jenna! Yes, the fabric does make a difference! Looking forward to partying again! Thanks!

      Delete
  10. Absolutely stunning. I LOVE green furniture and I just adore that you did it yourself... amazing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm in the LOVE GREEN club too. :) I appreciate you taking the time to leave such a nice compliment! Thanks, Christine!

      Delete
  11. Featuring this awesome green settee on Trash 2 Treasure Tuesday tonight!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Good Morning Carrie!! Just popping in to let you know your post has been picked as a feature at the Welcome Home Wednesday Link Party! Stop by this morning to see your feature and link up! Don't forget to grab your "Featured Button" too!

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is impressive! I love Annie Sloan chalk paint, but I haven't been brave enough to try it on upholstery. Thanks for sharing on Snickerdoodle Sunday. Pinned and Tweeted. It's great to know that it's holding up well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beverly- It isn't hard...get brave! :) Try practicing on something you don't really care about first. I'd love to see your end result if you decide to take the plunge! Take Care!... Carrie

      Delete
  14. Although a green couch is too bold for my living room, this is so pretty!

    Thanks for sharing this with us at Talented Tuesday Link Party last week, hope you join us again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kristina- Green is not for everyone! It definitely stops our guests in their tracks! :) Thanks for stopping by!.. Carrie

      Delete
  15. That green looks really classy! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great transformation Carrie and I love the colour. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is amazing!
    Thanks for linking up at Shabbilicious Friday. I'm delighted to be featuring your settee at tomorrow's party.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow! I'm honored. Thank you for sharing it, Kerryanne!

      Delete
  17. Love the space - thanks for sharing at the Pretty Preppy Party. xx, b

    ReplyDelete
  18. I have wanted to try this and now I just have to! Love it! Sharing tonight on The Painted Drawer Link Party! Thanks for linking up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Suzanne! If you've decided to paint upholstery because you saw this project then that is the most sincere form of flattery! Thanks so much for sharing our work!

      Delete
  19. Your settee looks amazing! Love the style and the new color. And the whole room is a knock-out! Featured at Be Inspired this morning. Thanks so much for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love looking through all of the projects at your party! I'm honored that you selected mine!... Carrie

      Delete
  20. Hi, they say great minds think alike--I just chalk painted a sofa too! Saw your feature at Be Inspired and had to stop by. This was my first experience painting upholstery and I am just thrilled with the results! Love your transformation!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you had a great experience too! I love that paint is such an inexpensive fix! :)

      Delete
  21. What type of brush did you use or did you use a roller, etc? Love it !!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Linda! I used a 2" Purdy paint brush for this project.

      Delete
  22. I have a deep red couch and would like to go turquoise. Should I start with white and then go to chosen color or just more coats?
    Thanks, I loved this makeover soo much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Save your white paint for something else! I would do the extra coats of turquoise. I'd love to see it when you're all finished!

      Delete
  23. I'm wondering about whether this painting technique will work on a lounge chair surface that has been 'rubbed' smooth from body oils. You know, where the head rests. Is it worth trying? It's been professionally cleaned but still looks pretty cruddy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great question! I'm not sure I know the answer. If you hate the way it looks now, it might be worth a shot!

      Delete