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I LOVE a good refresh. A room refreshed with new linens, textures, color is so inviting. A refreshed wardrobe with clothes that fit your body and the season is so good. The same holds true for furniture with new life. There are many ways to update furniture. Hardware, new stain, even the decor that sits upon it can dramatically change how a piece of furniture can look. However, my favorite way to update furniture, and the way that makes the biggest impact is with paint. Yep seems simple, but it’s true. Whether using chalk paint or latex, painting in part or the entire thing, painting furniture breathes new life and changes it in a way that very few other things can. Painting furniture can be intimidating at the beginning, but with a little help and encouragement, you can be well on your way to painting any piece with confidence and ease! Here are my 5 top tips for painting any piece of furniture.
1. Choose a paint for your project: Chalk paint can be the most forgiving and durable when using it for painting furniture, and it comes now in more colors than ever. You can also make your own chalk paint (a feat I’ve never tried, but I do know it is possible) with any color paint. It does leave a certain sheen and look to it, so if you want a more glossy look, then use a paint with a gloss sheen.
2. Use the right tools: Your tool need may vary from project to project, but for the most part, you will need a few basic tools. First, you will need a small hand brush. I usually use a 2″ brush. And while there are “better” version, I find that as long as it’s clean and in tact, it works just fine. I also use a small roller for larger surfaces. It helps with a seamless finish and cover the area quicker. For painting furniture, I find the best rollers are ones with a larger nap (how much texture the roller has). Another thing you will need is a sanding block or sandpaper. A sanding block is a little easier to hold and use, so it is my tool of choice. Painters tape can be a useful tool if you only want to paint certain parts of the piece, as mentioned in Tip 4 below.
Here is a great roller and tray combo. Small trays for small rollers makes things much easier!
These Wooster short angled brushes are my favorite for most paint jobs!
I use the tar out of sanding blocks, so I always buy in bulk. These 3m sanding sponges in a fine grit are typically what I have on hand for these types of projects.
3. Prep your surface: Even if you are using a paint with primer, it is essential to clean your surface prior to painting. I know, it’s grunt work, but it will allow the paint to go on smoother and keep you from painting extra coats. I use a sanding block to lightly sand any grime and dirt off the surface of the piece and then make sure to wipe that off with a microfiber cloth. You also want to remove any and all hardware before you paint. It is much more difficult to paint around it then to just remove it. Bonus! Change out the hardware entirely for an even greater transformation. Then I make sure to protect the area around the piece so that I don’t make more work for myself.
4. Paint only what is necessary: Painting can seem daunting if you think you have to paint every. single. square. inch. Surprise! You do not. I have painted many pieces with doors and drawers, and I have refrained from painting them in their entirety and maintained the integrity of their function. With drawers, it’s only necessary to paint the drawer front. With doors, you can paint the entire door, or just the part that people will see when it is shut. Your choice. With doors and drawers also comes interior space. I have found that it is MUCH easier to leave that space as is. IF you choose to paint it, you must seal it to protect it from the items you will be storing in that space. If the surface is in poor shape, but you don’t want to paint it, an alternative would be to use shelf paper, drawer liner, or wall paper instead.
5. Follow the instructions: I know this one has some of you cringing (trust me when I say, me too). BUT instructions are there to uphold the integrity of the product. If you paint your piece in the cold or put a second coat on before the suggested time, you might find that it is detrimental to your finished product. The more experience you have, the better choices you can make regarding what’s best for your project. But when starting out, read the instructions and follow them the best that you can.
6: Bonus Tip! Seal your work: What good is it to do all of that work only for it to be scratched and ruined? If your piece will be highly used, I strongly suggest protecting it. If you used latex paint or a stain, you can seal it with a polyurethane. For chalk paint projects, a wax sealant is suggested. This can either be clear or dark for an “aged” look.
For my end tables, I used this clear wax found on Amazon. P.S. I paid more for it in store!
I hope these tips have given you the confidence and information you need to get started on that paint project asap!
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