Can you die fabric on a piece of furniture?

Question

I have a couch and chair that I love... except for the color. The fabric is in excellent condition, so I don't want to reupholster it. I saw an episode of "Trading Spaces" where the decorater used fabric paint to change the color of a couch, but it was time consuming and difficult to keep from streaking. Is it possible to DIE fabric on a piece of furniture? It's an older piece of furniture, so the fabric is not treated with stain repellant. I know it sounds a little crazy, but I really want to keep this furniture, so I'm desperate for an inexpensive solution :)

Answer 1

Good question. I've done artwork with children using a spray bottle of water and coloring. If you start light and go darker with the colors this might work. I just don't remember what the color medium was - food coloring, paint? Whatever you do, try it on something other than the furniture first! Good luck. LT

Answer 2

Chances are if you try to dye it then it's going to turn out splotchy. An inexpensive solution that i can think of is to buy a "sofa cover".  They are like slips that fit over your sofa and it's like a sheet but you can't really tell bc it's fitted. And it's easy to clean bc you just throw in the washing machine.