Nothing says “summer” like settling into your favorite wicker chair on the porch with a cold glass of lemonade in hand. Wicker is a traditional and inexpensive decorating option for your porch, yard, and interior rooms, and it comes in a variety of pieces and styles. The pieces tend to be relatively inexpensive and, when properly cared for and stored, can last a lifetime. Painted pieces can last even longer. Once you master the following techniques, you can change the look of your wicker furniture whenever the mood strikes.

Getting started

• If your item has been previously used, you will need to clean it thoroughly before painting. Vacuum all surfaces with a crevice nozzle to remove dust and loose debris. Dip a scrub brush and a toothbrush into a solution of bleach and water (NEVER use detergent!) and remove any remaining dirt on the wicker.
• If your wicker has never been painted, rinse with a salt solution of 1 tablespoon salt to 1 quart of cold water.
• Whether your piece is old or unpainted, you will then need to wipe down all surfaces with a clean damp cloth and allow the furniture to dry thoroughly.
• Smooth out chipped, flaking, or uneven paint on old furniture and smooth splinters, splits, and bumpy growth nodes on new pieces with fine grain sandpaper. Wipe down the surface with a tack cloth.

Time to Paint

• Spray white primer on all surfaces, which will seal the wicker and allow the base coat to adhere to the chair. Allow to dry.
• Use spray-paint to apply the overall base coat. You will want to apply several thin coats in order to build up color and provide even coverage without clogging the wicker’s inner weave.
• Trace the pattern motifs onto tracing paper and then transfer the patterns onto crafts foam using graphite transfer paper, and cut out the stencil using a crafts knife. Foam is crucial for this kind of project because you can bend it to fit the chair’s curves.
• Position the stencil, spray-paint a base coat in the stencil opening. Remove the stencil, move it to another position, and continue to base coat each motif. Allow to dry.
• Base-coat over each stenciled design element using acrylic crafts paints and a brush that best fits the area. Add desired details, then allow to dry completely. Varnish as desired.

Photo credit: All photo inspiration: Better Homes and Gardens.