Painting Kitchen Chairs: Ideas and Options

Applying different ideas and options for painting kitchen chairs can be an easy and affordable way to give them a fresh look. Whether your chairs are made of wood, metal, plastic or a mix of materials, they can be painted with the right preparation and supplies.

If your chairs are made of wood, you have many options for painting. Consider whether you want your chairs to blend in with the rest of your kitchen's decor or give the room a color pop. You can paint them in a solid color, or paint the legs or base one color and the seat another shade. Use the chair as your canvas and incorporate a unique pattern or design. You can choose a shabby chic or distressed look, or let the beauty of the wood grain show through a stain or color wash.

Whether your chairs already have paint or a stain on them or you're working with bare wood, you'll need to prime the wood first. If the paint is chipped or the wood is damaged, you'll need to repair those areas to provide a smooth surface for the paint.

If you want to sparay paint metal chairs, you'll need to prepare them first by giving them a good washing to remove any oily residue that has accumulated. Next, rough up the metal so that the paint will adhere to the surface. If your chairs are assembled with screws, take the pieces apart if possible and remove the cushions so the spray paint will cover all of the nooks and crannies. Spray with a primer first, even if the paint you'll be using has primer. This will keep you from having to use several cans of paint. Expect to apply at least two coats, letting the paint dry completely between treatments.

If you want to freshen up plastic chairs, you can paint them, too. Clean the chairs first, then use a fine-grit sand paper to rough up the glossy surface. After wiping away the grit, use an enamel spray paint that has been formulated for use on plastic. Apply two to three thin coats of the paint, allowing about an hour to dry in between each coat; be sure to follow the instructions on the can.

You can also paint vinyl or fabric seats. For vinyl, you can use a kit with the same type of products used by automobile seat restoration professionals, or choose spray paint that is designed to adhere to vinyl. Be sure to clean the seats thoroughly before painting, following the instructions on the products you have purchased.

To paint a fabric seat, you can use either a spray paint made for fabric or brush-on paints designed for that purpose. Again, let your creativity guide you to create a unique design.