Experts warn against 'sofa painting' trend that sees Gen Z revamp their couches at home - and say they're just ruining an expensive piece of furniture

Experts have warned against a trend that sees people on social media attempt to revamp their sofas with paint. 

The trend is popular on TikTok and Instagram reels, gaining more than 29.7 million views, as creative fans try to save money through their DIY projects. 

Videos filmed by TikTokers across the UK show them splashing multiple layers of paint onto their couches before scrubbing and sandpapering to achieve an even finish.   

But although the sofa makeovers may initially look good, experts have warned before long they will become 'dry, uneven and crusty', and that people are risking ruining an 'expensive canvas'. 

Molly Mackinder, 25, who lives in Essex, shared her sofa makeover in a video, as she turned it from light blue to cream. 

Experts have warned against a trend that sees people on TikTok attempt to revamp their sofas with paint. Pictured: Kaelyn Gutierrez chose to paint her $100 couch orange

Molly mixed four parts water with one part chalk, before spraying the fabric with water and painting on the mixture. She went over it with a sanding sponge to work in the paint and added extra coats before going over it again with sandpaper.

The DIY-er said she was 'happy' with how it turned out but admitted the makeover had left it 'patchy in places'. 

She wrote on her TikTok account @mackingahouseahome: 'Painting a sofa?!! I'm pleased I did it as it saved me buying a new sofa and I'm happy with how it turned out... but I probably wouldn't do it again. 

'It took SO much paint and took forever waiting for the fabric to dry between each coat!' 

Meanwhile Emma Carberry, from Glasgow, who runs interior design business Form And Balance, said she turned to the sofa painting trend as she wanted a 'lush sofa' but only had a second-hand one to work with. 

Molly Mackinder, 25, who lives in Essex, shared her sofa makeover in a video , as she turned it from light blue to cream

Emma Carberry from Glasgow turned to the sofa painting trend as she wanted a 'lush sofa'

Emma transformed her grey coach by using a deep olive green (pictured left, before; and right, after)

She transformed her grey coach by using a deep olive green, saying a 'little TLC' had made it look 'iconic', while 'saving a fortune in upholstery costs'.  

While those in the comments were clearly won over - praising the makeovers as 'stunning' and 'so so good!', experts have warned people at home not to rush to get their own paint brushes out. 

Michael Rolland from The Paint Shed warned painting is not a 'simple hack' and said: 'DIY sofa-painting is all the rage on TikTok with viral videos showing a fun, simple, eco-friendly and affordable way of redesigning your furniture. 

'However, this may be one of those trends where what you see usually isn't what you get. In fact, the only easy thing about sofa-painting is that it's easy to make huge mistakes which could lead to unnecessary costs.

Leanne Cusack took her followers through her journey as she painted her couch grey (pictured after)

TikTok users were all left amazed by the transformations - but paint experts have advised people at home not to rush to get their paintbrushes out

'People expect their painted sofa to look like real quality pieces, but this just isn't a reality with this trend. Fabric paint, even the good stuff, is unlikely to cover wear, tear or imperfections. 

'It's even less likely to feel like the material of a brand new piece of furniture. It's much more difficult to stop paint going dry, uneven and crusty than Tiktokers are showing.

'A sofa is a very expensive canvas to ruin and this is pretty inevitable without experience or expertise.' 

If you still want to revamp your sofa, Michael advised that there are more simple and cost effective ways to give it a new lease of life. 

Less risky options include sewing removeable cover, buying a slipcover or investing in some quality cushions.