How To Spray Paint Picture Frames Quick and Easy
I’m not sure why I have a thing for old chairs. I think it might go back to my childhood and the story of Goldilocks and the 3 bears.
I have to say that I’m not quite as picky as she was. So many chairs feel just right to me. I don’t care if they’re too big or too small.
If they’re old and have some character they’ve got me.
But because I have no more room in my house for real chairs, I’ve started collecting pictures of chairs. Crazy right?
I shared this $5 thrifted trio of chairs in a finds post a while back.
These are not just fabulous chairs… they’re fabulous garden chairs holding flowers and apples.
It was easy to fall in love with them, but I didn’t think those orange wooden frames were doing them any favors.
These lovely chairs needed a little pizzazz so today I’m sharing how to spray paint picture frames.
Just in case you thought I was kidding about collecting pictures of chairs, here’s another set of 3 that I found a while back. These pictures are quite large, about 20″ tall.
The writing on them is French and I have no idea what they say, but they’re pretty cool.
I hung them in my downstairs bathroom, which so needs a makeover and has no window so the lighting is terrible. So please ignore the 1990s floral wallpaper.
Now back to the lovely  garden chairs.
How to Spray Paint Picture Frames with Removable Backs
No matter what your frames are actually made of when it comes to painting them there are basically two types.
The first type of framing allows you to remove everything down to the bare frame.
My chair pics have everything held in place with staples, which are quite easy to push up to get everything out.
By removing everything you can easily spray paint the frames.
Do a couple of light coats one way, and then once they’re dry flip the frames and do a couple of coats anywhere that you didn’t get the first go around.
How to Spray Paint Picture Frames with Sealed Backs
Here’s an example of the second type of framing, which doesn’t allow you to easily remove anything. These are often professionally done, and the back is usually sealed with some kind of paper. You can cut the backing off to get everything out if you like, but it really isn’t necessary.
With just a little prep work it’s quite easy to spray paint these types of frames as well.
Take the inside measurements of the frame and cut a piece of paper about an inch shorter and place it in the middle.
This should give you about a 1/2′” of glass showing on all sides.
Then you use some 1″ painter’s tape to hold down the paper and protect the glass.
Use scissors to cut some straight pieces of tape to fit the corners so you don’t have to trim them.
I used the lid of my spray painting can to hold the picture up.
Always always wear a mask when spray painting, but especially if you’re doing it inside a garage like I am.
It was a rather humid day so drying time was taking much longer. I just left them out in my portable garage until the next day.
And tada! Here they are.
I almost called this post Tuulalocks and the 3 Chairs because I do have blonde hair like Goldilocks.
But good sense prevailed.
This time. 😉
I hung them above my aqua china cabinet, and they instantly added some sizzle & Â pop to that big empty space.
So if you find some fabulous pictures that have blah boring frames or awesome frames that aren’t the right color, there’s no reason to pass them by.
It’s just so easy to spray paint picture frames to match your own decor.
Thanks so much for reading, and until next time…
Hello!! I feel like I’ve been gone forever! But I’m home and company is gone. And I’m rewarded with your post in my inbox! This is a great tutorial. Your chair pics turned out perfectly!! Dona
Thanks so much Dona! Welcome back. 🙂
Fabulous! I love all your chair pictures! And you are right…they are much easier to collect than the real thing!
Do I detect a bathroom makeover this winter?
Thanks Linda! You detect correctly. At least I hope so. It’s been needing a redo for some time now.
They look great!! You are the spray painting queen. I don’t think there is anything you can’t makeover with spray paint!
Thanks AnnMarie! Spray paint is my go to that’s for sure. It’s so easy to transform almost anything and it’s not a lot of work… and I’m all for that.
Nothing is better than a transformed frame. I went to tiny doll chairs while Miss Tuulalocks went for prints. Awaiting a bathroom makeover. Aqua?
We do like out chairs. 🙂 I think my whole house might just end up being aqua. I’m kinda loving it right now.
“Tuulalocks” would have been so cute. I vote for that. Love the chair pictures…both sets. I had not thought of repainting the professionally done ones that way, so thanks for the tip. Pinned.
Thanks Florence! Not sure what Google would have thought of that title. lol.
Tuula, the color sure makes the prints pop. Great job and great tutorial.
xo Dianne
Thanks Dianne! I think almost anything can be transformed with spray paint.
Saw the strainer flowers on Hometalk and then come to website. Love the strainer flowers and have LOTS of frames to paint! Thanks for the “show and tell”. : )
I LOVE chairs! I don’t know why! I probably have too many physical chairs! I have some miniature ones that some bears use. Pictures are a great idea! I’ll have to look for some to fit in the frames I have. Where is your favorite place to find them? I also like the set in your bathroom; tres chic!
Like the aqua!
Thanks so much for stopping by Fay! I have a real thing for chairs of all styles. If I had the space I would probably start a collection of rescued chairs. It’s so nice to know I’m not the only one. 🙂
Great Job! I love the red color.
Thanks so much Rebecca!