A STEP-BY-STEP ON HOW TO PAINT WICKER TO MAKE IT LOOK NATURAL AND NEW AGAIN ALONG WITH 5 FAQS. THIS PAINT TECHNIQUE WILL WORK ON *ANY* WICKER YOU HAVE AT HOME!
Hi beautiful #sifamily, thanks for joining me today! I have a fun project to share with you. A project in reverse! I’ve come across A LOT of tutorials on How To Paint Wicker. But what if you want to take a piece of painted wicker and make it look natural again? You can strip it. But trust me, if you’ve ever tried stripping paint off wicker, you will NEVER do it again!
So here’s a fun and easy alternative…
**This post was originally published on June 22, 2020. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. There are affiliate links in this post to other companies/products I use and love as well. You will never be charged extra when you purchase through these affiliate links. If you buy from my links – A BIG thank you for supporting me and the #siblog! To see my full disclaimer, click here.
How do you take painted or old-dated wicker and make it look natural again? Use the magic of paint!
Here’s the before and what I’m demonstrating this paint technique on. I started with this white pink and blue painted laundry hamper. This laundry hamper is a great size and built like a brick house as it’s been around since the 90’s!
THIS POST IS SPONSORED/CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I USE. YOU CAN SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE HERE.
SOURCE LIST
’90’s Laundry Hamper – SALVAGED
Paintbrush or Paint Gun Sprayer
Cheap Chip Brush
Chocolate
Putty
Burlap
Gator Hide
HOW TO PAINT WICKER TO LOOK NATURAL AGAIN – 5 FAQs
1. WHAT KIND OF PAINT SHOULD I USE TO PAINT WICKER?
Acrylic paint, spray paint, or chalk/mineral paints are all great choices for painting wicker.
2. CAN YOU PAINT WHITE WICKER TO LOOK NATURAL?
YES! The key to making a white piece of wicker (or any color) look natural again is to pick the right paint colors to paint over it. Find a base coat that mimics the natural tone or stain of the wicker you’re after, then pick a lighter tone or two to highlight and drybrush the wicker weave details. I’ll be sharing my paint colors in the tutorial below.
3. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO PAINT WICKER FURNITURE?
Spray painting or brushing can achieve a beautiful painted wicker finish. Spray painting with a store-bought can of spray paint or a paint gun will make getting into all the wicker weaves and texture easier. When using a paintbrush, the paint can pool in the nooks and crannies and drips can happen. A few tips to using a paintbrush when painting wicker furniture, baskets, laundry hampers etc. is being mindful of how much paint is being applied. Use a modest amount of paint on your brush, work in sections, and make sure to use a good quality paint brush that you can pounce into the wicker texture and then smooth out to avoid drips is key for a professional finish.
4. HOW TO CHANGE THE COLOR OF WICKER?
Wicker can be painted, stained, or dyed. Depending on the condition and original finish of your wicker piece will depend on which method you use. If the wicker is in a natural state, stain or dye can work really well. However, if it has already been finished, paint is the easiest way to make a color change.
5. HOW TO PREP WICKER FOR PAINT?
Before painting wicker, make sure it’s free from dust and dirt. Vacuuming with a brush attachment works well. A plastic kitchen scrubby brush will remove anything stuck in the wicker weave as well. If you’re working with a larger piece of furniture where the existing finish is flaking off, light sanding is recommended. I also like using a damp cloth to wipe it down before painting. If you’re not using an all-in-one or chalk/mineral paint, a spray bonding primer can be helpful to keep your paint finish adhered and looking new.
WICKER LAUNDRY HAMPER MAKEOVER
STEP 1 – CLEAN AND BASECOAT
The only prep I did for this laundry hamper was to give it a good vacuum inside and out and remove the hardware. There was no flaking paint and no need to sand. Then I sprayed one coat of this Chocolate on the outside and inside the lid.
Here’s what it looked like with the one coat of Chocolate. If you don’t have a paint sprayer, this base coat can be easily brushed on or a spray paint can be purchased at your local hardware store.
STEP 2 – DRY BRUSH PUTTY
Once the Chocolate was dry, I dry brushed this Putty using a cheap chip brush. A scraggly old cheap chip brush is perfectly fine because it creates texture over the woven wicker.
To dry brush, I use VERY little paint on the tips of the brush then gently run the brush in one direction of the wicker. Here I am sharing a dry brush technique on Youtube. It’s video on a different piece of furniture but the concept is the same.
STEP 3 – DRY BRUSH BURLAP
For the final color, I used this Burlap. I used the same brush and dry brushed technique to create wicker highlights. I played around with this until I was happy with the outcome hitting some areas and leaving others.
STEP 4 – TOPCOAT
To seal and protect this painted wicker finish, I sprayed three coats of this water-resistant Gator Hide.
These three colors created a gorgeous rich au natural wicker finish! The basket they’re sitting in was my inspiration. Chocolate | Burlap | Putty
FINISHED LOOK
Here’s the finished look.
So much better than before, don’t you think!?!
I’m super happy with my “NEW” wicker laundry hamper! It looks updated and so much warmer.
Here’s another look at this wicker hamper before and after. I hope it has inspired you and taken away the mystery of updating old dated wicker that may need a little freshening up!
Thanks for joining today. I hope these tips on painting wicker have been helpful. Feel free to chime in on what you think of this makeover or ask any questions you might have – always love hearing from you!
Exciting news! Next Tuesday I’ll be joining some of my super-talented blogger friends and we are joining up for a FUN HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY FOR YOU!!! Hope to see you then!
Happy furniture painting my friends!
Denise x
RELATED POSTS::
Painting Outdoor Furniture w Chalk Mineral Paint
Painting Baskets | $2.99 Thrift Store Makeover
Pottery Barn Knock-Off Buffet Makeover
Stop Bleed Through When Painting
How To Dry Brush Youtube
PIN AND SHARE!
Hello again... I'm so happy you dropped by! Let's keep in touch! Follow me on social media or sign up for a dose of furniture painting inspiration and diy tutorials. :) 
Hi! I love this. I came across your post after purchasing 2 wicker chairs, tho I believe they are the resin/plastic…. If they call it resin…. The are white and I need them to be the color you’ve done! Will this technique work good for outdoor use? They will be on my west facing porch and receive a lot of hot sun.
Also, what would you think would be cheaper alternatives for some of the products you used? Was hoping to keep the project low cost and there are 2.
Hi Sher! Your chairs sound lovely. If they are not wicker (but rather a faux wicker… I know exactly what you mean), I wouldn’t recommend this technique unless using a bonding primer before applying this paint technique – especially because they will be outdoors. You don’t want to put in all the work and then have them chip and peel. Once a bonding primer is used, any waterbased paint can be used. You may even want to check your local HD or hardware stores for mistints which sell for super cheap 🙂
Love the final result. My kind of project, easy to do with big change. The colors you chose are perfect.
Thanks my friend!🤗
Thanks for sharing your skills !! So natural and fresh.
Looks brand new !
I have some smaller baskets that wold certainly benefit from this.
Love the colors you chose. 🙂
This would be so good for ‘freshening up’ wicker baskets! I have a few Id like to do as well! XOXO
Like all your make overs, this is beautiful. I love the look of the basket now, surprisingly I always favour white wicker, but I will try this asap. x
Thanks so much Janette!🤗
This looks great. How much brown paint did it take to cover the basket? I wanted to paint a dining set and a bedroom set. The brown paint recommended is quite pricey. Is there another recommendation for the paint type for the base coat instead of the chalk paint? Lynne
Hello! Does this have to be done with chalk paint for the same idea?! Hope to hear back soon! I am eager to start my project!!
Hi Nikki! No, it doesn’t have to be chalk paint. 🙂
Hello!
I have rattan patio furniture that is a dark colour. I don’t know that it’s painted… maybe a stain? I want to strip the colour off to lighten it up and make it look more of a natural colour and maybe RE-stain it. Is there anyway to do this? It’s just a patio set purchased from Costco or somewhere…
Have you ever tried painting Henry Link Wicker furniture. I have four sentimental pieces (chest, nightstand, desk/vanity, and chair) that my parents gave me 40 years ago. They are in great shape has the frames are high quality then “wrapped in wicker” so the wicker seems to have a coating of some sort on them. They are/were natural in color but have a golden natural color but have gotten more golden over time…and not a preferred color for me. Since they are solid, well-made, I’m very nervous about painting them. I’ve painted other furniture but haven’t had guts to do these in fear of ruining them. I’ve considered, after thorough cleaning, trying to dry brush some chalk paint so that natural color isn’t entirely covered OR I’ve considered covering with light coat Kilz, then painting. If you have any experience with Henry Link furniture or similar furniture specifically any info shared would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Denise!
I love the way you painted your wicker laundry hamper. I have a wicker chair I’d like to paint and I have a sprayer. Did you thin the paint before putting it in your sprayer?
Many thanks!
Lee
Thanks Lee! And it really depends on the paint but yes, I usually thin my paints for spraying by about 10-15%. I find it easier to control the spray that way. 🙂
Thanks! I’m going to give it a try!!!
Hello! I was wondering if you think a lighter colour would work instead of chocolate, or if it might not have the same affect? What a great job, it looks fabulous!
Thanks Cortney! And wicker does come in lighter natural colors so I would think it would look good… but I haven’t tried. 🙂
$279 for a wicker laundry basket???? Incredible what some people will spend!!! They are like deer in the headlights! Your basket looks great! I Have some baskets stashed in a closet here and might just paint ’em up and put them around the place to hold all sorts of detritus. in the house.. And they will look posh, too!
Yup $279! I even saw a few for over $300! I was as shocked as you are LOL. Have fun painting up your stashed baskets. I’m sure they will look amazing! XOXO
This looks incredible ! Sooo natural.
You have a great eye for colors 😉
Your posts are so detailed and truly helpful.
Thanks for sharing your talents !! It really is inspiring. 😉
Thanks,
p
I’m SO happy you’re finding the posts/tutorials helpful Phyllis. Thanks SO much!
Wow, my friend, that’s amazing! It truly looks like natural wicker.
thanks, Marie! Hugs
What a great transformation! Looks new and very fashionable as if you purchased it at a high-end store!
Aw thanks, Judy! It looks way more updated for sure! I was looking at new ones online and the one I liked on Wayfair was $279the one I liked on Wayfair was $279!😮 Now that I restyled mine, I like it better than the one on Wayfair. hehe
Glad I saw this post cuz I have a large dark brown wicker trunk complete with leather handles etc. that doesn’t match anything in my house that I am planning to paint another colour this summer. After reading this post I might have to rethink changing the colour of the trunk and perhaps tone down the dark brown colour with a couple of colours dry brushed onto the dark brown.
I love those big trunks with leather handles! It sounds beautiful whatever finish you decide to give it. 🙂 I hope your summer is going well. xo
Gorgeous once again! I have a wi jet plant stand that I want to try your technique on. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks Denise and have fun with your plant stand if you decide to give it try! 🙂
Love the look. And it does make the hamper much more modern and appealing. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Sue! XOXO
Oh my gosh, that looks amazing! You really know how to salvage things with paint!
If I saw that in the thrift store when it was white I would have walked right by it. Not anymore!
If I didn’t own it I would have walked right by it too…lol. Have a super evening Patricia!
You’re incredible !!!!!!
Brilliant idea, very good job !!!!!
Greetings from Malaga (Spain)
Pilar
Hello, Pilar from Spain! Thank you so very much!! 🤗
This turned out great, the color is fantastic.
I’m thinking of buying a small sprayer. I have a big one but it is bulky and takes forever to clean. I want one about the size of the one in your pic. What model do you use or what would you recommend for the occasional smallish to medium sized furniture project? i seriously don’t like brush strokes!
Love your blog, I’ve been so inspired by some of the risks you have taken and how well they have turned out on the finished product.
Thank YOU, Kathleen! And I’m so happy some of my hit and/or miss projects are sparking some ideas. I’ve been using this Husky Spray Gun since 2013this Husky Spray Gun since 2013 and it still works amazing. A compressor is required but I’ve never had luck with other types of sprayerswith other types of sprayers.
Omg!!! This looks amazing! Would’ve never known it was white before! Great technique!
Thanks so much, Amy! x
Great job! Fantastic color!
Could you tell me what sprayer you used for the application?
You do great work!
thanks Cecile! I’ve been using this same sprayer since 2013this same sprayer since 2013 and it still works great.
Looks lovely! I’ll keep this in mind and I’ve kept your post too! A nice wingback wicker chair could be renewed, or a trunk, or endless possibilities! Thanks! 😎
Thanks Liz! I’m going to be keeping my eyes peeled for chairs and trunks too. I think they would look great in this finish. 🙂
Hi Denise! This is awesome! I am definetely going to try this on some white baskets i have. Thank you for this. Pinned.
Thanks, Cheryl and thanks for the PIN! 🙂
It’s just gorgeous! Another amazing and mind blowing makeover. Your eye for color and expertise in painting always makes me excited to receive your emails. Thank You!
Aw, thanks Dianne! Much appreciated. XOXO
Soooo nice and really looks like natural wicker. Thanks for the great idea.
Thanks Tracy! XOXO
Denise,
What a brilliant idea! I’ve got a large topless wicker laundry basket that has been sitting out for a week while I decide what to do with it. It has never been painted so is natural now but I want to jazz it up a little since it sits in my bedroom. As much as I love your idea, I am going to paint it and then decoupage some pretty silk sari fabric I’ve had for some years just waiting for the right project. It’s just the colors I want and think it will look great. But – I do plan on using your technique on a bunch of baskets I’ve collected over the years to give them the fresh but natural look you so well achieved on your laundry basket. Thanks so much for sharing.
Hi Lis and thanks! You’re jazzed up laundry basket with paint and decoupage and silk sari fabric sounds amazing!
Hi, looks great. Could you just use spray paint to do this? Don’t have a sprayer. Thanks!
For sure! You can definitely use spray paint for the base coat. It would also do a nice job!
Wish i still had my white wicker bedroom set so I could paint it back to au naturale!! Beautiful warm color. Love it thanks again!
I hear you! Now that I see how this turned out (I wasn’t 100% sure it would) I kind of wish I still had a few of my wicker pieces too!
I have my grandmother’s wicker rocking chair. It is really old (she died in 1950) at age 50.).. I think it was painted black at one point. I can hardly wait to bring it back to life! . Thanks for the ideas.
What a great project Marilyn! Those old rocking chairs have so much character!
I think that’s fabulous!
Thanks so much Tania! X
Amazing transformation…I love it!
Thanks Tammy! 🙂
Hi Denise. What a beautiful transformation. I never would have thought that painted wicker could look natural again. I LOVE it! I’m inspired and impressed with how you bring back the beautiful in old items. I’m going to keep this laundry basket makeover in mind next time I see a piece of wicker furniture at my local thrift shop.
Yaay! Natural wicker is so popular now, isn’t it? And this is a super-easy way to ‘get the look’. Have a great day my friend. 🙂