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How to Paint Custom Chair Upholstery with Art

ByJennifer
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I reupholstered a chair in cotton duck and  I wanted to make a  DIY paint custom chair upholstery with art by painting a peacock image. It’s such a great way to customize a piece of old furniture. I used fabric paint and love how it turned out!  I was going to paint the fabric before it was upholstered and realized I might not have a placement correct. I decided to throw caution to the wind and paint the peacock on the chair after it was reupholstered, and I thought I would share my process with you with this tutorial. This technique works better on light color fabrics and smooth fabrics, and cotton like a cotton duck or canvas ,and natural fabrics over a polyester blend, faux silk, velvet or synthetic fabrics.
A white chair with a hand-painted peacock design on the seat, showcasing blue and green feathers spread across the cushion—a striking example of how to paint custom chair upholstery with art.

To cover the chair cushion, I used a thicker muslin canvas as my fabric base, but you can also do this on leather, or linen like on this custom pillow!

Supplies to Paint Art on a Chair Seat

Fabric Paint

Cotton Duck Fabric or Muslin

Various size paint brushes

Watercolor pencil

Use Upholstery Paint or Fabric Paint

This is a case for the right tool for the right job. There are different paints that can be used. When painting upholstery, use a fabric paint or upholstery paint.  Acrylic paint, latex paint or chalk paint can also be mixed with a textile medium. Follow the directions closely for maximum success,but  It normally calls for a 50/50 ratio of part fabric medium and part paint,  but check your bottle for directions first for what kind of paint to use. Using a fabric paint or medium helps keep the painted fabric from having stiffness and cracking an allows you to use different colors for a custom mix. See how to paint tea towels here.

A black pencil rests on a piece of fabric with a rough sketch of a bird, likely a swan, in progress—an inspiring starting point for learning how to paint custom chair upholstery with art.

Sketch Out the  Image for The Makeover

I started by sketching out my image in watercolor pencil. That way when painting over the pencil it will blend  and dissolve right into the paint. You can also use a transfer technique for your image. After outlining my image, the trick to making your colors true is to underpaint your art. Under-painting the image in black fabric paint on the seat cushion  adds depth to the piece (under-painting makes the colors seem richer.),  and give a guideline for where to paint for full coverage.
Black and gray peacock painting on fabric, with broad feather patterns created using circular brushstrokes—perfect inspiration for those exploring how to paint custom chair upholstery with art.

Mask Out the Areas that Need to be Left Unpainted

When painting an image on fabric, mask the rest of the area off with a covering  and  some painter’s tape to keep drips and splotches from staining the surrounding piece of  fabric.

When painting a  custom chair upholstery with art start bu adding and layering my colors, and referring to my picture for the details. If you use different fabrics,  like upholstery fabric instead of cotton duck or even a drop cloth, always do a test swatch first as they will take the paint differently.  It just depends on the kind of fabric and how they absorb the paint.

Start Painting the Surface of the Fabric

I used a round paint brush to paint my peacock was painted on the chair and then let it dry completely. You don’t have to seal fabric paint to make it durable. This took a piece of outdated furniture and really made it a work of art. I added heavier paint  in some areas to add texture. Especially where the peacock feathers were at.
A white chair with a hand-painted peacock design on the seat, showcasing blue and green feathers spread across the cushion—a striking example of how to paint custom chair upholstery with art.

Let the Base Coat Dry

Once the base of the image dries, you can start  adding layers of paint colors  as you would also paint on a canvas. The first coat of paint is always the scariest, and then after that, it becomes easier. A lighter color can also be layered on a darker color this way as well.

A vintage white chair with a woven cane backrest and a seat featuring a painted peacock and peacock feathers, placed on grass near a wooden door.

The wood part of the chair I had painted and aged first with glaze before painting the chair seat.
Close-up of the corner of an upholstered wooden chair with decorative carvings, visible fabric tacks, and exposed stitching—perfect inspiration if you’re exploring how to paint custom chair upholstery with art.

To add a custom touch, I stitched red thread on the seat, especially along the edges to keep it from fraying, and used really cool upholstery tacks to attach it to the base of the chair. I love how  painting a chair upholstery with art creates a custom work of art and is a show piece for any home. I would love to tackle a large piece one day like a couch or sofa!

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6 Comments

  3. When you say you used acrylic paints and a fabric medium, where did you buy the medium or what brand did you use? Also, did you finish it with the clear gesso on top of the painting after you were finished? Or will that make it crack? Just wondering if it needs protected. Thanks

  4. Pingback: How to do a fun acrylic painting of an Agate-inspired pattern.... - Jennifer Rizzo

  5. Hi Jennifer,
    I’m an artist and have just been asked to paint wing-backed chairs that are covered in a blank canvas material. I’ve never painted upholstery and found your BLOG piece about it. Do you have any other tips? How has the painting held up under usage? Where did you get fabric medium? What is it? What type of paint did you use – acrylic or oil? I’m just starting the challenge of investigating this so I appreciate any advice. Beautiful painting you did!!

    1. I used fabric medium and acrylic paint from Micheal’s I think the medium was a deco art product.. It holds up fairly well, but will crack if it’s applied way to heavy. I hope this helps! Good luck!

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