How to Paint Stripes on Fabric Chair

Are you wondering how to paint stripes on a fabric chair without reupholstering? Whether you want a bold designer-inspired look or just a fun pop of personality, stripes can instantly transform any piece. In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through the process I use in my own projects—complete with photos so you can see each step in action.

Painting fabric chairs might sound intimidating, but with the right prep and a few tricks, it’s surprisingly doable. Many people assume you need to reupholster or hire a professional to achieve a polished look, but that’s not true. With painter’s tape, patience, and the right type of paint, you can give your chair a completely new personality in just a weekend. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to paint stripes on a fabric chair so you get that crisp designer finish without frustrating paint bleed-through.

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Here is your step-by-step process to paint stripes on fabric painted chairs.

Step 1: Measure and Plan Your Stripes

Start by deciding how wide you want your stripes to be. I recommend starting from the center of the seat and working outward to ensure a balanced design. Use a flexible measuring tape to mark your lines lightly with a pencil.

Step 2: Tape Off the Stripes

Apply painter’s tape along your marked lines. This helps you create even lines on your painted chair,

Continue adding tape on each side. And remove every other piece of tape. If you want wider stripes, leave two pieces of tape for each stripe.

Be sure the edges are pressed down firmly so paint doesn’t bleed underneath. Firmly press down using your fingernail along the cording. Stand back and make sure your stripes are even and centered before continuing. Be patient—taking your time with taping makes all the difference.

Step 3: Seal the Tape 

For ultra-crisp lines, round brush (my favorite round brush) a thin coat of your base color over the tape edges. (I used white latex primer and paint in one) This seals the tape and prevents paint bleed. Let it dry before moving on.

Step 4: Paint the Stripes

Apply thin, even coats of paint to the taped areas using a soft brush. It’s better to do 2–3 light coats than one heavy coat. Use a hair dryer on low to speed up drying between coats. I used black latex satin paint for the stripes.

Step 5: Remove the Tape

Carefully peel away the tape once it’s dry. Pull the tape back on itself at a 45-degree angle.

If you see any bleed-through or uneven edges, use a small artist’s brush and your base color to sharpen the lines. This final detail work is what makes your stripes look professional. 

Once your paint is fully dry and cured, approximately. 24 hours, your chair is ready to use! This bold black-and-white Chanel-inspired stripe instantly turns a plain chair into a statement piece.

And there you have it—your once-ordinary chair is now strutting around like it just stepped off a Paris runway. Painted stripes on chairs have a magical way of adding personality, drama, and a touch of “oh-la-la” to any piece of furniture. 

The best part? You did it yourself, and you didn’t even need a sewing machine or a reupholstery class to pull it off.

So grab that painter’s tape and a cup of coffee (or a glass of wine—no judgment here), and start planning your next bold makeover. Whether you go classic black-and-white, playful candy colors, or something totally unexpected, remember: furniture is your canvas, and stripes are your statement.

Now go on—your next masterpiece is waiting for its close-up.

Until next time, keep painting outside the lines… unless, of course, you’re making stripes.🎨

P.S. Other paint finishes you may like: How to paint harlequins on a chair

Cheryl,