How to paint a rainbow onto furniture – to brighten a child's bedroom
Follow our simple step-by-step guide to paint your own rainbow
As rainbows become the symbol of hope and joy, we just want to paint a rainbow on everything from windows to walls. But for now we're focusing on the power of a painted rainbow on bedroom furniture.
This playful painted pattern is a fun way to brightening up any little one's bedroom. You can
More ideas: Easy children's room ideas – ring the changes with simple and creative updates
Want to know how to paint a rainbow onto furniture? Read on...
What you will need
Sugar soap
Pencil and string
Masking tape/ Frog tape
Frenchic Furniture Paint
How to paint a rainbow...
1.Prep the furniture
Clean surface of the furniture with sugar soap
2. Draw the outline of arches
Gemma used a pencil and a loop of string, explaining, 'I looped around one of the drawer handles and used like a giant compass. I tied knots at intervals to make the loop smaller and therefore the arches smaller.'
Adding, 'To continue over the two pieces of furniture just put them as close as possible together and continue the same lines.'
3. Protect with masking tape
'Use masking tape to cover all of the internal edges of the drawers, doors and unit that are at right angles to where you will be painting - so that the design is only on the front surface.'
4. Use Frog Tape as a guide
'Use frog tape to outline the design, mask off one arch at a time, so you are using separate pieces of tape for the bottom of one arch and the top of the adjacent arch.'
Gemma helpfully advises, 'For the convex lines, cut frills in the outside of the tape to allow it to be stretched around the curve. You will need to allow the tape to wrinkle along the bottom edge, so don't worry about sticking the whole width of the tape down. Just be sure to press very firmly along the edge you wish to paint.'
5. Apply paint
'If painting on a wall or furniture where you have applied the base colour yourself it is a good idea to first paint over the edge of the tape with the base colour, to prevent colour bleeding under the tape.'
6. Remove tape and repeat
'Remove tape before paint is fully dry if possible. Simply repeat the steps for the other arches.'
Gemma has creatively extended the rainbow across a chest of drawers and onto a wardrobe to make a matching set.
Gemma used green shades to tailor the rainbow to suit her style – using Frenchic Furniture paint in Al Fresco, Wise Old Sage and Al Fresco, Apple of my Eye.
Related: How to make terrazzo planters – create some pretty plant pots for your greenery
Have you been embracing the trend for upcycling? We'd love to see your projects. Share them with us in the Ideal Home Room Clinic Facebook Group.
Our brilliant group allows others to share and inspire, because sharing is caring : )
Get the Ideal Home Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter for style and decor inspiration, house makeovers, project advice and more.
Tamara was Ideal Home's Digital Editor before joining the Woman & Home team in 2022. She has spent the last 15 years working with the style teams at Country Homes & Interiors and Ideal Home, both now at Future PLC. It’s with these award wining interiors teams that she's honed her skills and passion for shopping, styling and writing. Tamara is always ahead of the curve when it comes to interiors trends – and is great at seeking out designer dupes on the high street.
-
This artist's home is a masterclass in contemporary country design
This light-filled kitchen is bright and breezy, and yet filled with character and warmth
By Holly Reaney
-
'We finally got the house of our dreams and can’t wait to spend Christmas here’
This home owner has indulged her passion for colour and pattern throughout
By Karen Wilson
-
What temperature should my freezer be? Experts reveal the perfect temperature to save money and keep your food safe
Ensuring the right temperature is key to getting the most out of your freezer
By Kezia Reynolds