Simple Wicker Table Makeover with Spray Paint

The History of Wicker in the US

The American production of wicker furniture began in the 1840s. Raw cane was used on clipper ships from China to the US with goods. It was used to secure packages and crates in shipping. A young grocer named Cyrus Wakefield gathered a large armload of the discarded cane on the warf and took off thinking it could be used for something. Wakefield was not a furniture maker but noted how pliable the rattan cane was. He tried wrapping it around furniture to create the wicker look. He realized he was onto something and quit his job as a grocer. Visit this site to read more of the story and some photos. It has piqued my interest in rattan and wicker! I found this attractive coffee table book on Rattan that I've added to my cart. 

My Love of Wicker

I have always had a passion for all things wicker and cane. The crib that our children used was a Lexington wicker crib purchased in 1996. Both of the kids used it. It is in that attic, but sadly it won't get used. Crib guidelines always seem to change. Cribs are no longer manufactured with a drop-down side. It is also recommended to never use a crib older than 10 years. So in a nutshell, it's not worth saving your child's crib for grandkids. I need to check out the 2 ends in the attic to see if they could be made into something. 

I recently purchased 2 of these rattan bar carts to use as nightstands in the guest room. That makeover has been a slow process. They were a bit of a splurge, but I got them on sale.

I also have this scalloped tray that is fun for summer. The larger size is sold out. Here are two that are similar HERE and HERE.

Use the slider below to see the before and after!

Supplies Used

• vacuum with a brush attachment
• wood glue or other to secure old wicker
• plastic wicker repair material
• spray paint
• spray paint nozzle
• drop cloth

Old wicker furniture is hot right now. It's perfect for many relaxed styles. Wicker can be a great find at thrift stores, garage sales, Facebook Marketplace, consignment shops, and vintage stores. Older wicker is a great way to add a bit of vintage charm to your home. 

With a couple of light coats of paint and minor repair work, this little table has new life.

With proper care, you can enjoy your wicker furniture for a long time. 

This is essentially a refresh of a thrift store piece I purchased many years ago. It was long before I started blogging in 2012. 

How-To

This is such an easy project with simple steps that can be completed in a few hours with dry time. Gather your supplies from above and let's get started!

Clean the Table

This is an older table that is in incredibly good shape. I did not want to clean it with anything harsh or by using a lot of water. 

I simply used the brush nozzle on my vacuum to clean out all the crannies of the wicker. 

Wicker can collect a lot of dust so doing this with your routine cleaning will help to keep it looking great longer. 

Any grime can be cleaned with a slightly damp soft cloth. 

Let it dry thoroughly. 

I didn't fuss too much over this. In some areas, I just cut off or removed the wicker. One area was a bit more visible with more damage. I easily removed the damaged area with scissors and my fingers. 

A couple of areas, I glued down with some Gorilla glue. I was out of wood glue. 

I wish I had researched this sooner or had time to get in some material that would have been real cane and more the size of the original. I can still go back and do that down the road. I can easily flip this side to the back and it won't be seen. Next time, I'll do better. Ha, ha!

My alternative was this wicker repair material that is plastic. It arrived quickly and worked. At first I tried to glue it, clamp it, and let it sit for several hours just for it to not stick. A few choice words were said. I left it and came back to it the next day.

I woke up with a light bulb moment! I went back and started over. I cut off a long strand of the plastic. I tied it at the bottom of the spot on the leg then wrapped it around the leg. I then worked it in and out of the weave down the leg. It held in place!!! Whew. 

Now, I should get too proud of myself. If I had just googled how to repair a wicker chair leg, I would have been done in 2 minutes! Ha ha! 

The plastic rattan is paintable. 

I lay out plenty of drop cloths and old sheets to protect the driveway. We had a light rain overnight so the woods were just too wet. 

When spray painting, always protect your surfaces and be careful of your surroundings for overspray.

I needed a minimum of 2 cans of spray paint for this project.

The Magnolia paint that I selected at Lowe's was pricy so I only bought one to start. I wanted a green and this was my favorite. 

Luckily, I had almost another can of a different shade of green. 

The older can served as a good first coat of paint to cover the old yellow. 

Painting wicker can be tricky.

The best way to start is to turn your project upside down for your first coat of spray paint. This is where I used most of the old can of paint. 

As you work, look at the piece from different angles. The nature of wicker has all kinds of hidden areas. 

My second coat of paint gave good coverage.

I was honestly very impressed with this Magnolia spray paint. The nozzle sprays very evenly and the coverage is superior! I had full coverage with 2 coats. The top of the table only has Magnolia paint on it. The smooth finish is lovely with the matte sheen. I typically like to use a satin on wicker. I was a bit skeptical with the matte, but I was pleasantly surprised. 

Let it dry between coats. 

Give the piece of furniture a good second look and spot-spray any areas. I did miss a corner that I noticed when photographing the final project. I'll touch it up later.

If you plan to use your wicker piece on a covered porch or screened porch, make sure your spray paint is also suitable for outdoor use. 

In a nutshell, this project was easy peasy! Consider spray paint for your next project. It is a quick and easy way to update small furniture and decor pieces. 

I am overjoyed with the fresh new look. 

Protect your wicker surfaces by having a piece of glass with polished edges for the top. It will protect the surface and make cleaning up so much easier.  

Garden Stool | Chinoiserie Pillow Covers | Pillow Inserts | Faux Boxwood | Decor Book | Chair Cushion Covers | Cane Candle | Green Spray Paint

I am overjoyed with the wicker table on the screened porch. It's a nice pop of color with the color scheme.

Garden Stool | Chinoiserie Pillow Covers | Pillow Inserts | Faux Boxwood | Decor Book | Chair Cushion Covers | Cane Candle | Green Spray Paint

The fun in decorating is shopping the porch and using things I already own in a new way.

Garden Stool | Chinoiserie Pillow Covers | Pillow Inserts | Faux Boxwood | Decor Book | Chair Cushion Covers | Cane Candle | Green Spray Paint

A great way to protect your wicker project is by having a piece of glass cut for the top. Let the company know that this is for a table and that you want the edges finished. My glass is not super thin and has some weight to it.

Garden Stool | Chinoiserie Pillow Covers | Pillow Inserts | Faux Boxwood | Decor Book | Chair Cushion Covers | Cane Candle | Green Spray Paint

The green is such a fun, fresh color. I originally thought that I'd go with more of a sage green, but this one sold me!

Garden Stool | Chinoiserie Pillow Covers | Pillow Inserts | Faux Boxwood | Decor Book | Chair Cushion Covers | Cane Candle | Green Spray Paint

Real wicker should be kept out of the elements. This is a very deep porch so it is protected. I will probably move it inside in the off-season.

For now, you will find me sitting here with a good book and enjoying this little nook off of our bedroom.

June Makeovers

My Repurposed Life – Old Mirror

Petticoat Junktion – Welcome Wreath

Our Southern Home – Wicker Table

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia – Planter

Sadie Seasongoods- Coastal Wall Art

Organized Clutter – Hanging Planter

Shop At Blu – Ice Box Refresh