Bamboo blinds always look great. You can paint bamboo blinds to customize them into the existing theme of your home. It’s not a difficult job, even for those without any genuine artistic talent. There are several different options for painting and not all of them need a paintbrush.

Step 1 – Prepare the Bamboo

There are several different kinds of bamboo blinds, ranging from very thick sticks to wider half-stalks of bamboo. It doesn’t matter which style you use since you can prepare and paint them in the same manner.

Lay a large drop cloth on the floor. Roll out the bamboo blind on top of it with the side you’ll be painting facing you. Make sure the blind is fully extended.

Bamboo blinds can move around easily so you’ll need to take care that it’s completely straight. Unless you’re painting the entire blind, you can make it more stable by weighing down each end.

Step 2 – Paint a Design

If you want to customize your bamboo blind with a design, you can do this with freehand panting. First, choose your design. Practice drawing it on paper in the size you will need for the task. The simpler the design is, the easier it will be to complete. Next, practice filling in with your preferred colors on the paper.

Once you’re satisfied with your work, you can move to the bamboo blind. This will be a slightly different experience because of the design of the slats. Essentially, you can paint designs on bamboo as you would on paper.

If you make a mistake, dab some paint remover on a cloth and wipe off the paint, allowing it to dry before you resume your work. If the design is small, you can repeat it several times in different places on the blind.

It doesn’t matter if the designs aren’t quite the same size; the variety can actually look surprisingly pleasant. You can even paint individual designs in different colors.

Step 3 – Use a Stencil

If you don’t feel comfortable using freehand, you can use a stencil. You can find these at all art stores and many home improvement stores. Once you have a design you like, lay it on the blind and paint the bamboo with a paintbrush. This takes all the guesswork out of the design and will be quicker than freehand painting on your bamboo blind.

You can also use spray paint with the stencil. Tape paper or cardboard around the edges of the stencil then lay it on the blind. The surround will stop you from accidentally spraying the rest of the blind.

Hold the spray can about 12 inches above the stencil and spray paint bamboo lightly, making sure you cover the entire design. Gently lift off the stencil and allow the paint to dry.

Step 4 – Add Full Color

If you want to paint bamboo with a single color on the whole bamboo blind, remove the weights you put on the blinds earlier. The simplest way to work with bamboo is to use spray paint. Make sure you don’t touch the blind itself and work around from the sides, spraying the entire blind with color.

Make sure slats are fully open so that coverage is uniform over the entire blind. Leave the blind to dry completely before moving and hanging them.

Paint Bamboo Blinds FAQ

Can bamboo be painted on?

Bamboo is a durable, highly versatile material but it can be a little tricky in some designs. The round shape of bamboo can make it difficult to paint.

Bamboo is a type of grass that dries and hardens into a wood-like exterior, and like wood, it can be painted. This material can be painted in any color you want, in fact.

What paint sticks to bamboo?

Many different types of paint can be used on bamboo. Everything from high-gloss lacquer to oil paint, latex paint, chalk paint, and mineral paint all stick to bamboo. Spray paint actually works very well at covering bamboo as well.

Do you need to prime bamboo before painting?

If you prime your bamboo before you paint it, you will get much better coverage, and you will need to use less paint. While it is possible to paint bamboo without priming it first, it will take a lot of paint, and you may not get the smooth, even coverage you want.

Does bamboo need to be sanded?

Bamboo is finished with a waxy outer layer, a glossy coating that gives the bamboo a more moisture-resistant, smooth finish. You must sand bamboo before paint will adhere to it, because it will tend to slide off that waxy finish.

How do you keep bamboo looking good?

Bamboo is a low-maintenance material that’s easy to care for. Light dusting with a dry cloth or duster is enough for everyday cleaning.

Wipe bamboo down with a damp cloth and mild cleaner once a month or so to keep it looking nice. To restore the finish of bamboo if it becomes dull over time, a little bit of linseed oil will help condition the bamboo and bring out its gloss.