When my friends at Decoart asked me if I had any projects planned for their Americana Chalky Finish Paint, I was so excited because I’ve been thinking about painting my cushions with Chalky Finish Paint for the longest time!
I love the color options and I knew my screen porch chair cushions needed new color!
When we got the chairs, I wasn’t crazy about the bright green color, but I worked with it! After just 2 years however, those cushions looked awful. They were stained with mildew and all the cleaning in the world did no good. So instead of buying new cushions (the ones that fit the chairs would be about $250.00!) I thought…why not paint them!
I love how they turned out! I was shocked at how completely easy this was…
I started with Americana Decor Chalky Finish in Vintage and decided I wanted a little deeper color so I mixed in a bit of Americana Decor Chalky Finish in Yesteryear… to get a soft blue gray…then I added a little water to my paint to thin it…
Notice how bright the cushions were…
I wondered how well the soft blue-gray would cover that bright green…
Using a spray bottle, I sprayed the cushion down with water then rolled paint on with a foam roller…
It took three good coats but in the end, it covered like a dream…
The process took more paint than I planned on, probably because my cushions were such a deep – bright color, which is why only one of my chairs is done! (I’m planning to finish the other chair next week when I get more paint!)
My concern with painted cushions was how they’d feel…lots of people add a thin coat of Americana Decor Creme Wax after the paint dries and then buff it off with a rag…all I did was very lightly sand over the entire cushion to soften the paint and although they are a bit coarser than the fabric before I painted them-I love the result. 
The Chalky Finish Paint completely covered the mildew stains and the bright green fabric…
If you have furniture that needs new cushions, why not consider painting the old ones?!
Americana Decor Chalky Finish paint is available at Home Depot, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, A.C. Moore and other stores. Visit the DecoArt Chalky Finish website for more chalky paint inspiration!
You might like these other projects I’ve done with Chalky Finish Paint…
Fishing Floats which I’m planning on doing again for Christmas Ornaments!
Chalky Paint & Book Page Inspiration Board…
Chalky Finish Farmer’s Market Bag
Have you ever used Chalky Finish Paint? If so, what did you paint!???
I’m a DecoArt Blogger but the opinions are all mine my friends~ xo
Jennifer says
September 11, 2014 at 7:00 amI’ve seen the painted fabrics/cushions on Pinterest several times and often wondered how they would turn out. Lightly sanding seems like a great idea to help with the stiffness. I love the color you chose and it looks great.
Robin says
September 11, 2014 at 7:16 amThanks Jennifer…I love the color too! That chalky finish paint is great on so many surfaces- it’s amazing …have a great day my friend xo
Diana says
September 11, 2014 at 7:16 amHi Robin, don’t forget to let us know how well it holds up.
Sharon Calvert says
September 11, 2014 at 10:16 amThanks for sharing this. Seems like a great way to recycle weather-beaten cushions. Do you know whether the chalky surface can be washed/scrubbed should mildew appear?
Robin says
September 12, 2014 at 4:07 pmSharon…good question! I’ll find out and let you know! xo
Shanna Gilbert says
September 11, 2014 at 11:51 amThe color is so much better! It’s amazing what a little paint can do! I’ve been so impressed with the Chalky Finish line.
Robin says
September 12, 2014 at 4:07 pmShanna, Truly, paint is just amazing~ So much potential! Chalky Finish is one of my favorite DIY tools- I love it too! Have a great weekend sweet friend xo
CD Loken says
September 11, 2014 at 2:18 pmWhat an amazing transformation! I LOVE the color too!
Robin says
September 12, 2014 at 4:02 pmCD…Oh the power of paint! Isn’t it wonderful!? xo
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
September 11, 2014 at 3:28 pmThey look great!!
Nancy
Robin says
September 12, 2014 at 4:02 pmThanks so much Nancy! Have a great weekend my friend xo
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
September 11, 2014 at 4:01 pmI’ve been thinking of making cushions for a very dated couch — I think I’ll paint it instead. Such a good idea.
Robin says
September 12, 2014 at 4:01 pmMarissa, It might just be easier to paint them! Have a great weekend my friend xo
Donna Kanelos says
September 11, 2014 at 4:24 pmInstead of using wax have you tried using the Americana brush on sealer? I’ve found that its A LOT EASIER then using wax
Robin says
September 12, 2014 at 4:01 pmDonna, NO! I didn’t think of that!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH! I’ll look into it! I really appreciate the tip my friend ox
Beth says
October 2, 2014 at 8:18 amDoes the Americana brush on sealer you mentioned come in anything larger than the 2 oz bottle size? Where do you get a larger size?
Robin says
October 3, 2014 at 7:11 amBeth, I found it on the DecoArt website in 8 ounces… http://decoart.com/cgi-bin/SizeandAvailability.cgi?Multi-Purpose_Sealer hope this helps friend ox
Joanne Boulter says
September 12, 2014 at 12:36 amI have seen the painted upholstery done before but my question is is it comfortable to sit on, does it rub off at all.
It looks beautiful.
All is LOVERLY, Jo
Anne’s Attic – design http://fulcolbaxia.wordpress.com don’t forget to follow it.
Robin says
September 12, 2014 at 3:58 pmJoanne – It’s definitely not a soft as it was before-but I’m okay w/ that since I didn’t have to buy new ones…I’ve heard that ppl have good luck w/ rubbing the finished piece down w/ a thin coat of finishing wax (also by DecoArt)- maybe I’ll try that so I can tell you guys if it’s significantly softer after the wax! (I lightly sanded already and that helps a lot!) As far as rubbing off, not yet! It’s only been a 8 or 9 days…if I discover it rubbing off, I’ll definitely add that info to the post! (My chairs aren’t out in the elements!) xo Hope that helps my friend
Suzy @ Worthing Court says
September 12, 2014 at 6:22 amI’m so glad that you posted this, Robin. I’m definitely pinning for future use. I have four outdoor chairs that I’ve dreaded recovering because of their odd shape, but this will be the perfect solution!
Julie {Lilacs & Longhorns} says
September 12, 2014 at 10:29 amYour cushions look fantastic! I’m definitely remembering this!
Robin says
September 12, 2014 at 3:54 pmJulie, It’s better than buying new ones isn’t it!!!? Have a great weekend my friend ox
Julie Garmon says
September 14, 2014 at 10:05 amNot in a million years would I have ever thought to PAINT cushions! WOW. Again. You keep wowing me!!
Wendi @ H2OBungalow says
September 14, 2014 at 6:55 pmLove this idea! I’ve heard of painting indoor cushions, but not outdoor ones! I love how yours turned out and your color is lovely! My outdoor teak sofa has great cushions in good shape, but they are creamy white. Blah…. Thanks for the inspiration and tutorial! Pinning and sharing )
Linda says
January 11, 2015 at 9:12 pmRobin, I’m definitely convinced to give this a try. I have an awful sofa and loveseat that need to be either replaced or reupholstered. I can’t afford to replace and although I’m telling people I’m confident about reupholstering myself, I’m really terrified. So, what could painting hurt? It looks easy, your results are amazing, and if I screw it up, I can always forge ahead with fabric! Thanks for sharing this.
Robin says
January 13, 2015 at 9:07 amLinda…that is exactly what I thought when I painted mine!!! Good luck friend ox
Joy says
March 3, 2015 at 1:44 pmMy deck furniture cushions are moldy and look terrible! I can’t wait to get started on this project! And I absolutely love the blue-gray color.
Christine Pancoast says
July 1, 2017 at 2:43 pmHi! Tried this over the weekend and turned out great!! Here’s what I did differently…I purchased the rustoleum paint at Home Depot and had the guys in the paint department tint it for me. Only $16 for a quart which is waaay cheaper since I used two quarts for eight cushions. I also put the watered down paint in a spray bottle and sprayed it on and then ran my brush over it. Saved lots of time!! Finished them off with a light sanding and a coat of wax that i purchased by the chalk paint in A.C. Moore. Everyone was VERY skeptical at first but love the way they turned out! Good luck!