Practical and versatile décor: learn more about Dip-Dye

When it comes to decorating the house, getting to know new things is always a cause for excitement, isn’t it? Today, we will show you something that came from the fashion universe and became a trend in decoration: dip-dye or dipped furniture, as it is also called.

This technique is known for being a painting for the reuse of antique furniture. Easy and practical, the process results in custom parts with only one color range applied horizontally or vertically.

painted chairs

Over the months, the intense routine of to-do’s does not allow us to stop to schedule to paint the walls, for example. But often, it is not necessary to make a radical change. With the Dip-Dye technique in the decoration, the changes can start with the furniture making the environment more alive and full of modernity.

Want to know more? So learn in today’s post how practical and often therapeutic this process is. Changing the décor of the house is necessary!

Origin of dip-dye trend in decoration

As mentioned earlier: dip dye, as well as another tie-dye technique, comes from the fashion universe. Both are very well known, both in the textile environment and also in beauty salons. Very used by hippies, the techniques emerged in the 1960s and 70s with clothes stained in gradient and ombré hairs, now known in Brazil as ‘Californian wisps’.

Moment curiosity: talking about differences, the tie-dye (in the translation “tie” and “dye”) shows a stained fabric completely. The dip-dye (“immerse” and “dye”) is similar. However, in this technique, the piece is not tied or twisted, since the painting is restricted to clothing.

Dip-Dye in practice

In the universe of decoration, there are a variety of possibilities to change the furniture. And the more references we have, the easier it is to know what we like and want, or what will work best in our home.

As the English term suggests, Dip-Dye’s idea is to renew something by “immersing” and “dyeing” – part of a piece. In summary: it just means coloring a piece of furniture or accessory. From this principle, if you want to apply the process, the main ingredients are paint, painter’s tape, and lots of creativity!

Please note that the raw base of the piece does not need to be maintained in much of the furniture. The chosen color, in addition to covering the furniture completely, can also divide the object into two parts.

If you have already separated the materials, and if your furniture is wood, also take an appropriate sandpaper (no. 100 or no. 150, depending on the surface). From there, you will first need to choose which part of the furniture will be renewed. Have you chosen? So now it’s time to tape-mark the area that will receive the coating.

After marking the surface, remove the existing old paint and varnish, by sanding the entire area. Don’t forget to cover any part that won’t be painted from the furniture with painter’s tape to avoid glitches or blurs. Right after completing these steps, paint the chosen area with the color of your choice and wait for it to dry.

The recommended paint for use is spray or synthetic enamel paint of high durability, suitable for woods and metals.

Do-it-yourself inspirations through Dip-Dye

Did you want to apply Dip-Dye? You can use the technique in many objects such as vases, kitchen utensils, doors, tables, chairs.

When applying the colors, keep in mind where the furniture will be placed. Designer Renata McCartney highlights aubergine, yellow gold, mustard, and navy blue for use in homes or apartments.

“The environment will come to life and, quickly, you’re going to create a piece with your own characteristic, no waste or thinking about breaking down,” McCartney says.

In addition to the furniture, dip-dye also renews other objects of the house that are still there at the bottom of the closet.

On napkins, the process makes the dining table more sophisticated. The projects in the pictures are from Bright Bazar and Bespoke Bride. When seeking inspiration for the Dip-Dye, it is worth painting what the imagination allows most: the feet of the stools, the door span, the frieze of the bookcase, the inside of a mirror. However, do not forget the two bases of this trend: balance and contrast of tones.

Don’t be afraid to test the possibilities

Do you have a decorating project and this change includes that comfortable armchair, but that is sitting in the corner of the room? Instead of getting rid of this piece of furniture, how about giving it a chance and make it super stylish in your home?

Going for another place of great movement in the house, the dining room, how about modifying the chairs of the table? In the photo below, they receive paint only on the tips of their feet and on the bases.

Don’t waste your furniture

After reading our inspirations, it is impossible not to conclude that the practice values the originality of the furniture and, at the same time, modernizes the look of the environments. Nothing better than promoting change, especially after a period as troubled as quarantine. The cost for applying Dip-Dye varies to the size of the furniture.

By hiring a professional specialized for the development of the technique, the result tends to please those who seek more customization through exclusive projects. If you are on the team of unusual pieces, welcome! Dip-Dye is a good source for those who like to value the details and get out of the sameness, investing in something versatile and low cost.