Cane furniture is everywhere in Australian homes right now — cane bed heads, cane chairs, cane side tables. And painted cane is one of the most beautiful furniture finishes you can achieve. The fine, tight weave of cane takes paint in a way that creates a delicate, almost lacquered effect that looks genuinely luxurious.
We love painting cane pieces in our studio. Here's exactly how to do it.
Cane vs Rattan vs Wicker: What's the Difference?
These terms get used interchangeably but they're different things. Cane is the outer skin of the rattan plant, typically woven into fine, tight patterns — the kind you see on the backs of chairs and bed heads. Rattan is the full stem, used for the structural frame. Wicker is a weaving technique that can use rattan, cane, bamboo or synthetic materials.
For painting purposes, cane and rattan behave similarly — but cane's finer weave means you need to be a little more careful about paint buildup.
Which Paint to Use on Cane
For indoor cane furniture, Artisan Chalk Finish Paint is our recommendation. It flows into the fine weave beautifully without building up too thickly, and the flat matte finish suits the delicate texture of cane perfectly.
For outdoor cane pieces, Artisan Mineral Paint is the better choice for its UV protection and water resistance.
Best Colours for Painted Cane
Cane looks beautiful in almost any colour, but these are our favourites from the Artisan range:
- Arctic White — the most popular choice. Crisp, clean and coastal. A white cane bed head is one of the most beautiful bedroom looks going around right now.
- Parchment — warm, creamy white with a vintage quality. Suits French provincial and relaxed coastal styles.
- Noir — deep black cane is dramatic and sophisticated. Stunning in a contemporary bedroom with brass or gold hardware.
- Sage — soft green that suits coastal and organic interiors beautifully.
- Navy — rich and bold. A navy cane chair is a real statement piece.
- Rosé — warm blush pink. Beautiful on a cane bed head in a feminine bedroom.
What You'll Need
- Artisan Chalk Finish Paint in your chosen colour
- A soft-bristled brush (not too stiff — you don't want to damage the fine cane weave)
- A small detail brush
- Drop sheet
- Furniture wax or water-based matte sealer
Step 1: Clean the Cane
Vacuum with a soft brush attachment to remove dust from the weave, then wipe with a barely damp cloth. Don't soak cane with water — it can cause the fibres to swell and distort. Allow to dry completely before painting.
Step 2: Apply the First Coat
Use a soft brush and work the paint gently into the weave with a stippling motion, then smooth out with light strokes. The key with cane is to apply thin coats — the weave is fine and paint can build up and obscure the pattern if you apply it too thickly. Thin coats preserve the beautiful texture of the cane.
Allow to dry completely.
Step 3: Check for Missed Spots and Buildup
Once the first coat is dry, check for any areas where paint has built up too thickly in the weave — you can gently work it out with a dry brush while it's still slightly flexible. Also check for any missed spots and touch up with a detail brush.
Step 4: Apply the Second Coat
Apply a second thin coat using the same technique. Two thin coats is almost always sufficient on cane — resist the temptation to apply a third coat unless coverage is genuinely uneven, as too much paint can fill the weave and lose the delicate texture.
Step 5: Seal
For decorative cane pieces, furniture wax gives a beautiful soft finish that enhances the matte texture. For cane that gets regular use, a water-based matte sealer is more durable. Apply lightly — you don't want to fill the weave with sealer any more than with paint.
Painting a Cane Bed Head
Cane bed heads are one of the most popular painted cane projects right now. A few tips specific to bed heads:
- Remove the bed head from the bed frame before painting if possible — it's much easier to work on flat or propped against a wall
- Paint both sides — the back of a bed head is visible in many bedroom layouts
- Arctic White or Parchment with the natural timber frame left unpainted is a beautiful combination — consider masking the frame before painting the cane panel
Shop Artisan Chalk Finish Paint for your cane project at Sweet Pea Interiors. And if you'd like to learn these techniques in person, our furniture painting workshops in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie cover natural material painting in our intermediate sessions.
