How to Paint a Throw Pillow Cover – Save Money & Space

Throw pillows are one of the easiest ways to add a pop of color and personality to any room. They are one of my favorite ways to update my space for a new holiday/season. But constantly buying new ones can be costly and take up precious storage space. The perfect solution? Paint a throw pillow cover!

Skill Level: Beginner
Cost of Materials: $5-$15 (enough supplies to paint multiple covers!)
Time to Complete: 1.5 hours or less

Save money & storage space

When you’re looking to redecorate, don’t buy throw pillows. Buy throw pillow covers instead and paint the reverse side with a different holiday/seasonal design (saves money). I had this sweater-clad dachshund throw pillow cover that I had purchased as some Christmas/winter decor. The reverse side was blank, so I painted some autumn leaves on it. Now I can use the same throw pillow cover for both fall and winter (saves space)!

Let’s dive into how you can paint a throw pillow cover, transforming an everyday object into a personalized piece of art while saving money and space.

Materials you’ll need to paint a throw pillow cover

• Paint
  • Use any acrylic paint you already have (that’s what I did) or
  • Use fabric paint or…
  • Use acrylic paint + textile/fabric medium
• Paint brush
• Throw pillow cover
  • Opt for 100% cotton or canvas
  • Use the reverse side of a cover you already, saves money & space!
• Stencil
  • Cut your’s on a Cricut/Silhouette or…
  • Make your’s using Freezer Paper and an Iron (discussed in video tutorial) or…
  • Purchase stencils
• Optional: pen/pencil & scissors if you’re using freezer paper to create your stencil

Specific info about the paint

The type of paint you use can vary and depends on what’s important to you (cost, feel, washability). My number one consideration, ANY time I am creating decor for my home is… cost. I always look to see how I can spend the least amount of money to create what I need. Usually that means using supplies I already have on hand, rather than purchasing new ones.

Acrylic Paint vs. Fabric Paint

I have lots of acrylic paint on hand. I do not have fabric paint or textile/fabric medium. Fabric paint is just that, paint formulated specifically for fabric. Meaning it is flexible, washable and permanent. Textile/Fabric medium is added to acrylic paint to turn it into fabric paint. If you use plain old acrylic paint on fabric, it may not be flexible (may be more rough/stiff), it may not be washable and therefore may not be permanent.

I was not concerned about my design being more on the rough/stiff side because I do not sleep on my throw pillows; I use them purely for decoration. I am constantly getting paint on my clothes when I am crafting, and it NEVER seems to wash out and therefore is permanent. So washability or whether or not it would be permanent was not a concern. But don’t take that to mean I am saying that regular acrylic paint on a throw pillow cover will be washable and permanent. I’m just saying that for me, I was not concerned. Also, I don’t wash my throw pillows because I only use them for decoration.

What paint colors to buy

In terms of what paint to use/buy, I recommend buying just the primary colors (plus white) if you are trying to do this the cheapest way possible. I have a great explanation about mixing primary colors to make all the other colors in my How to Make Giant Fall Leaves Video Tutorial (@ the 1:07 mark).

Conclusion

Store-bought throw pillows or designer covers can get expensive, especially if you like to switch them out seasonally. Painting your own pillow cover gives you the look you need for a fraction of the cost. Instead of buying multiple pillows for different seasons which take up A LOT of space, you can simply purchase a cover to fit the mood. Then paint the reverse side with a new holiday/seasonal design and your pillow can now be used for two different seasons. Saves money and storage space!

Check out our How to Make Beautiful Giant Fall Leaves tutorial.

Want to make some fall decor with us? Our mobile craft studio offers a selection of fall crafts. We offer classes at your home, community center or workplace for team builders. Or join us at one of our public classes at a local restaurant.

Author: Nicole Bolin