Sharing tips on how to paint outdoor cushions including the good, the bad, and the ugly details that may help you with your painting projects.
After years of thinking about it, I finally painted the outdoor cushions from our patio sofa.
And while I am so happy that I did and it looks 100% better, there are some real downsides you should know about before you undertake a similar project.
We were given this outdoor couch for free a few years ago.
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It had good bones but the colors weren’t my favorite. I painted the wicker white and started thinking about how to update those cushions.
For a while, I tucked some fabric over them as a super lazy slipcover.
It looked ok but constantly needed to be retucked which made sitting out there a real hassle.
And nobody wants that.
I looked into replacing the cushions, but large outdoor cushions are big money!
I was shocked that it can cost $50 for just one outdoor couch cushion even at the more affordable stores!
I also considered recovering the cushions with new outdoor fabric. But the truth is I am not a great seamstress.
I can sew curtain panels and simple pillow covers but making six good-looking cushions with piping and zippers would take me months and possibly lead to a mental breakdown in the process.
My sewing machine and I just don’t see eye to eye.
So I decided to try painting. I’ve seen lots of other bloggers paint upholstered furniture over the last few years, so I thought why not.
I’ve never painted upholstered furniture before, but I have painted other fabrics in various ways with great results.
There are a few different ways to paint upholstery.
- fabric dye
- chalk paint
- latex or acrylic paint mixed with fabric medium
I decided against fabric dye since this is outdoor furniture. I also decided against chalk paint.
Since I’m painting an entire couch, there is a lot of areas to cover, and chalk paint isn’t always the most cost-effective.
I chose to use latex paint mixed with fabric medium.
*There is another paint option you may want to consider. Since I first completed this project, Rustoleum has come out with an outdoor fabric spray paint made specifically for painting things like patio furniture cushions and patio umbrellas.
It comes in 7 colors including a nice turquoise color, but it has very mixed reviews online so I decided to test it out for myself.
I have a whole post sharing how it worked and how it compares to latex fabric + fabric medium.*
The positives and negatives of this project were pretty apparent immediately and may really influence whether or not you decide to take this on.
So I am going to share the first, followed by the tutorial at the bottom of this post.
So let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. These cushions look pretty darn good in photos, but how are they in real life?
Painted cushions: The good
After painting the couch looks so much better. The old fabric was not to my taste, but beyond that, it was also very faded and stained.
Washing the cushion covers just wasn’t cutting it; they looked dirty and uninviting all the time.
The new-look is 100% better.
And because the sofa looks so much more inviting, I’ve been sitting out here a lot more often.
Which is kind of the point of the entire thing after all!
It was also pretty cheap. I used 1.5 quarts of paint and probably 5 small bottles of fabric medium.
This brings the total for the whole thing to less than $40. Not bad considering one new outdoor cushion costs more than that.
And a side benefit that I didn’t foresee is that the painted surface creates a waterproof barrier that is much easier to keep clean than regular fabric.
Most things can just be wiped right off with a damp rag, which is excellent for any furniture but especially furniture that stays outdoors.
Painted cushions: The bad
I was a bit skeptical of this whole process, but I’ve painted fabric before with good results so I decided to go for it.
My main concern was that the fabric would feel stiff and sort of crunchy. And it totally does.
To be fair, the outdoor fabric on these cushions was fairly stiff to begin with, similar to canvas.
Adding the paint made it slightly stiffer. Sanding at the end keeps the fabric from being scratchy and catching on your fingers, but it doesn’t actually make it soft.
I can deal with the stiffness for outdoor furniture but it would be a huge no go for indoor use.
Another problem is that even though the cushions look so much better, the paint didn’t completely cover the old floral pattern.
I knew I was taking a risk by choosing such a light color, but I was hoping that with enough coats of paint it would be fine.
After five coats of paint, I decided enough was enough. I really don’t mind the faint floral pattern, but I was originally hoping to cover it entirely.
There was also one other issue that I didn’t foresee. When you sit down on a cushion, normally some of the air releases through the fabric, and the cushion flattens a bit.
Painting my cushions with latex paint created an air-tight barrier around them so that when you sat down, no air could escape.
It’s a minor thing, but even my husband noticed. It was a bit like sitting on an overinflated pool float; not so comfy.
Luckily this was easily fixed by unzipping the covers of each cushion a couple of inches so air could escape. Problem solved.
Was it worth it?
Yes, painting these outdoor cushions was definitely worth it.
Even though they are pretty stiff, it’s still a huge improvement over the old cushions.
But if I were to do it again, I would choose a darker color to better cover the pattern. And I would use a different type of paint.
As I’m thinking back to the other times I have painted fabric, I have had the most success using acrylic craft paint mixed with fabric medium.
I’ve painted pillow covers and a whole duvet cover this way and they stayed incredibly soft and comfortable to the touch.
I just don’t think latex paint works well with fabric even when fabric medium is added.
Knowing all of that, if you have hideous patio cushions and you want to give it a go, here is the tutorial.
Materials for Painting Outdoor Cushions
- latex paint in the color of your choice (I used Valspar Mint to Be)
- fabric medium
- water
- spray bottle
- foam roller
- paint tray
How to Paint Outdoor Cushions
If your cushion covers are removable, it will probably be easiest to start by removing them. (Although if they are anything like mine, they may be a beast to get back on.)
If the covers aren’t removable, this method of painting will still work; just skip straight to cleaning.
Clean your cushions well. You may be able to wash removable covers in the washing machine, but if not, just wipe them down the best you can.
Remember to protect the area around where you will be painting. This can get pretty messy.
Mix your paint with fabric medium and water. You don’t have to be 100% precise with this, but in general, follow the directions on your fabric medium.
I used two parts paint to one part fabric medium with a small amount of water mixed in as well.
You can just mix the paint directly in your paint tray.
Once you are ready to paint, dampen one section of fabric with a spray bottle of water.
It doesn’t need to be soaking wet, just damp to the touch.
Use a small foam roller to roll on the mixed paint.
Allow the paint to fully dry before adding a second coat. The paint will likely take a few hours to dry between coats.
As I mentioned above, I did five coats of paint attempting to cover up the flowers on my outdoor cushions.
If you are painting over a solid color, two coats may be plenty.
After your final coat of paint, lightly sand the entire painted surface with 220 grit sandpaper.
This will help smooth and slightly soften the paint.
And that’s it.
One advantage of using latex paint to paint your cushions is you don’t have to add wax or any other type of top coat to seal the paint.
Visually I think they look so much better. And as I said, even though they are stiff, I still find myself sitting out here much more often than before.
Would I do it again? Absolutely.
Although if I were doing this project all over again, I would probably use the outdoor fabric paint in this post instead.
I’d love for you to pin this project on Pinterest!
Painting outdoor cushions
I'm sharing tips and tricks for painting outdoor furniture cushions.
Materials
- latex paint in the color of your choice
- fabric medium
- water
- spray bottle
- foam roller
- paint tray
Instructions
- Clean your cushions well.
- Mix your paint with fabric medium and water.
- Dampen one section of fabric at a time with a spray bottle of water.
- Use a small foam roller to roll paint onto the dampened section. Continue until the entire cushion is painted.
- Allow the paint to fully dry before adding a second coat. You will probably need several coats of paint.
- After your final coat of paint, lightly sand the entire painted surface with 220 grit sandpaper.
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Charlotte says
The blue color is definitely an improvement, but I don’t know…you said it cost around $40, and ten bucks more would have definitely guaranteed a no-show-through of the florals and a more comfy/less stiff seat. You are brave to try it out, though!
Sarah says
@Charlotte
I think you misunderstood Carrie. One new outdoor couch cushion costs $50. Based on the photos, I suspect that she would have needed a total of 6 new pillows. The total cost would have been $ 300. By painting the pillows, she paid $40 for the whole process. :)
@ Carrie
The couch definitely looks much better now. I think it’s even nicer with the flower pattern shining through. I honestly admit that I would never try this project myself out of fear that the couch might look worse afterwards. ;)
Carrie says
Thank you Sarah! I was a little scared to take it on but I disliked it before so much that it was worth it to give it a try. I figured it wouldn’t get much worse! And even though it didn’t turn out perfect, I do think it is so much better!
Carrie says
Yeah, it definitely wasn’t free. But sadly $50 is for one cushion – not the whole set. Plus, I really just wanted to give it a try. :)
Deneen says
These look great Carrie. This is something that I have thought about trying. When I find the right piece I will!! The colour looks much more modern.
Carrie says
Thank you Deneen!
Lisa says
So what would you use instead of latex paint for outdoor cushions in the sun? Need to keep them soft as they get sat on right out of the pool.
Carrie says
That is a tough question. I know a lot of people recommend chalk paint but I’m not sure how it would hold up to both water and direct sun. I would be afraid that most painted cushions would probably only last one season under those conditions.
Lee says
Amy Howard all-in- one paints or Heritage Traditions all- in- one Paints work great for Fabrics.
Carrie says
Thanks for the tip – I will have to give it a try!
Claire says
Great transformation, I love the colour.
Carrie says
Thanks Claire!
Linda at Mixed Kreations says
Wow that turned out really nice! We got a metal framed outdoor couch from the neighbors without cushions so we had to go buy some. I was in shock of the price and we had to buy four. Thanks for the tips when I want a change I’ll have to try the paint.
Carrie says
Thanks Linda! It really is insane how expensive outdoor furniture cushions are!
Jackie says
I have a swing with a green canvas on it can I paint that canvas and will it come off on clothing when sitting on it
Carrie says
You can paint the canvas. It may make the texture slightly stiffer, but canvas is pretty stiff to begin with anyway. And it definitely shouldn’t come off on anyone’s clothing as long as it has plenty of time to dry.
Barb says
I was wondering how the paint has held up. I am looking to paint some patio chairs with a mesh material. They are faded and I would like to know the longevity of the paint.
Carrie says
Hi Barb, So far so good. It has been almost a year since I painted our cushions and they look and feel basically the same as they did when they were first painted. They are on a screened porch though and so they aren’t in direct sun and rain which could cause more fading.
Jennifer says
Does it matter whether you use interior or exterior latex paint?
Carrie says
I initially wondered about this too. But when painting fabric, I don’t think it matters.
Karen Butterfield says
Hello. I noticed it’s been a few years since you painted your blue couch cushions how are they looking now?
I really liked your video and want to try this. I have 8 cushions ugly burnt orange faded ones. Since you did this project have you found a better paint for the softness
Thank you Karen Butterfield
Carrie says
Hi Karen, It has been a few years and my cushions still look and feel pretty much the same as when I finished them. The fabric is still a bit stiff but not uncomfortable and the paint has held up well. They are kept on a covered porch which may have helped keep the color from fading. I haven’t tried any other paint yet, but I still want to. There are just so many projects I would love to do and not enough time! I would definitely still say that for me the project was worth it. Even though I don’t absolutely love them, they are so very much better than before.
DeeDee says
They look great, Carrie! When painting additional coats do you need to spray with water first or just use the paint mixture?
Also, I want to freshen up my white cushions. I’ve bleached and used borax but faint leave stains remain. Do you think white paint will cover?
Carrie says
Thank you! I sprayed with water before every coat of paint to help the fabric accept the paint a bit better. As far as your white cushions, that’s tough. White paint is notorious for taking many coats to get good coverage even when painting wood. But since you are painting something white, it may not be quite as difficult. I know you said you have already bleached but if they are small stains rather than widespread, you could also try using a bleach gel pen to apply bleach just to those areas and see if that helps. Good luck!
Liz says
I painted our outdoor cushions like you did and they look great! Easy to wipe down and the color isn’t fading. The problem we have is when you sit on it and get up, clothes stick to it. You feel like you are peeling off the couch. Nothing gets on the clothes or the couch but it’s annoying. Do you have this problem? Trying to figure out if there is something I can do to help.
Carrie says
It’s good to hear your cushions are holding up well! We haven’t had the sticking problem you mentioned. Our cushions are on a screened porch so they are protected from direct sunlight – I wonder if the heat of the sun along with humidity contributes to the sticking. I’m sorry I don’t really have any suggestions. Good luck!
Tanya says
Carrie – have you tried any of the upholstery spray paint? I know it may require more cans but it looks easier.
It says that it leaves the furniture soft. Also, when you painted your cushions, did the paint absorb into the
stuffing or foam cushions on the chair?
Carrie says
Good question – I haven’t tried upholstery spray paint. I’ve heard mixed reviews from others who have; some said there upholstery was still stiff. But I can’t really compare since I haven’t tried it. My paint did not absorb into the cushion stuffing at all, but I was able to remove the covers from my cushions before painting and let them dry before putting them back on. I think you could still do this if your cushion covers aren’t removable though.
Debby Ashmore says
I painted my cushions about 4 years ago. Two years ago I did it again and although they got a bit stiffer they have held up ok. Since I really dont like the colour any more I am considering doing it again…that would be a total of about 6 coats. Not much to lose since they are ugly the way they are. Mine are totally exposed to the elements (sun and pool water). They are currently that ugly burnt orange colour and I plan on doing them a blue colour to match the new pool liner. Wish me good luck…:)
Carrie says
Good luck and thanks so much for sharing your experience! You are so right – when you don’t like them anyway there’s really nothing to lose!
Carrie says
If you were to say what the ratio is while mixing what would it be. I would hate to put to much fabric paint on this
Carrie says
Your fabric medium should tell you the ratio to use on the instructions. The ratio I used was two parts paint to one part fabric medium. I used an old measuring cup to measure it. I also added a couple of tablespoons of water.