Home » Painted Furniture » 32 DIY Painted Furniture Makeovers

32 DIY Painted Furniture Makeovers

These 32 DIY painted furniture makeovers are the best of the best. You will want to paint furniture after seeing these fabulous makeovers.

black-hepplewhite.jpg

 

Just looking at photos of the makeovers makes me smile. I put a lot of time and effort into these paint projects. They are my babies.

I love reading emails and comments from you guys. Keep them coming. Some of you are scared to pick up a paint brush and start a furniture project. Just do it. Nothing ever happens if you sit on your hands.

I wish I could be there to hold your hand. The best I can do is try to give you tips and tricks in my paint tutorials. I hope I have helped in some small way.

Once you paint a piece of furniture, you will be hooked. The change is amazing. If you don’t like the new paint for some reason…..paint the piece again! If you love the color paint home decor accessories to match the furniture.

These top DIY furniture makeovers give you a look at various furniture paints. The makeovers also include my favorite special paint techniques.

DIY Furniture Makeovers

Let’s start looking at a few projects, and if you have any questions, email me.

Radio cabinet painted by Petticoat Junktion using Miss Mustard Seeds Milk Paint

Milk Paint Furniture Makeovers

The gray and red cabinet is a sweet favorite. I love the color combination. I painted the cabinet as a display for Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint….and of course, it’s painted with MMSMP. The colors in the milk paint line are beautiful.

I used to be a retailer for the milk paint, but I got a little overwhelmed with everything and had to let a few things go. Being a retailer of milk paint was one of them.

Click here to see the detailed tutorial and more photos….Gray and Red Country Cabinet.

milk paint furniture projects

Milk paint is one of my favorite specialty paints for furniture. Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint was the first milk paint I tried, and I just love it.

The chippy finish the paint produces is very authentic looking, just like the piece was painted ages ago and chipped naturally.

See the 8 Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint Furniture Makeovers above by clicking this link

Furniture Makeovers Using Latex Paint

Latex paint is great. I don’t know why so many people pooh-pooh it when furniture is mentioned. Latex paint is my go-to when choosing the perfect paint for a makeover.

gray furniture for boys painted with latex paint

You can have latex paint mixed in any color. Isn’t that great? Color-match draperies, linens, wallpaper, etc.

The gray and yellow color choices for the boy’s bedroom suite were just right. The hardware is painted with gray primer spray paint. See all the details here…..Gray Furniture For Boys.how to paint furniture with latex paint

 

Latex paint comes in every color imaginable. Head to your local home improvement store and gather some paint chips.

Be sure to take the color chips home to review. The colors will look different in your home space than at the store.

You can also find oops paint at hardware and paint stores for a fraction of the original price. The oops paint is a can of paint (or several cans) color mixed for a customer, and for some reason, the customer decided the color wasn’t for them. 

The customer decides they don’t like the color and the store sells it at a greatly discounted price. It’s a win-win for us thrifty people. Usually, I can pick up a quart for $5 and a Gallon for around $8.

When I use latex paint, I often prime the piece before painting. It isn’t always necessary, but it makes for a smoother, uniform color surface for your top coat.

See the furniture projects painted with Latex Paint by clicking here.

Distressed DIY Furniture Makeovers

It’s not hard to pick my favorite when it comes to distressed furniture. It is the over-the-top controversial dresser shown in the photo below.

shabby chic furniture

Boy, did I stir up some controversy with this piece? The distressed dresser looks really busy against that brick wall, but in person, it was a stunner. Photos don’t always show the furniture in it’s best light. I’m not a pro at photography.

I wish I still had the little dresser. I bought the antique dresser at the Nashville Flea Market, and you can see it here…..Shabby White Dresser.

how to distress painted furniture

 

I’m known as the “Queen of Distressing. I like everything from minimal distressing to over-the-top heavy distressing. I know the look isn’t for everyone….that’s okay.

Sometimes I use a sander to do the distressing and sometimes I do it by hand. You have more control when using sandpaper by hand, but if you want to go all out with the distressing, then go for the electric sander.

The furniture piece often dictates the type of makeover. If the furniture is heavily detailed or if the finish is marred by dings, dents, and missing veneer, it is the perfect project for distressed paint. All of the details and imperfections pop when distressed, giving the paint depth and character.

Get a look at the distressed furniture here.

the best furniture makeovers

Favorite Makeovers from Past Years

The DIY furniture makeovers pictured above are my favorites from 2012. (it seems like just yesterday when I painted them) Some of the makeovers still top the list in 2018.

I forget how much I enjoyed working on the older projects. For instance, that desk with the decoupaged circle fabric was a hot mess to begin with, but it turned out better than I expected.

32 Painted Furniture Makeovers by Petticoat Junktion

 

I hope you enjoyed the stroll through some fan favorites and also a few of my favorites. What is your favorite paint? Have you picked up the paint brush yet, or do you still have qualms? You can always email me. kathy@petticoatjunktion.com

Thank you for being here, and have a great day, Kathy.

Author: Kathy Owen
Kathy Owen is the founder of the home decor blog Petticoat Junktion where she shares tutorials on painting furniture and upcycling thrifty finds into unique home décor. Her DIY projects have been featured on the Home Depot Blog, Plaid Crafts, Behr Designer Series, and in numerous magazines. Kathy’s newest website is HappyHomeDIY.com

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

17 Comments

  1. Seeing them all here I am reminded why I love your work so much – you dare to step outside of the box with color and techniques!

  2. Wow! So talented and artistic. Not afraid of color…I looove it! My thoughts and best wishes are with you and your family right now, too.

  3. My head wias spinning I can do this!! I can do that and as soon as the weather breaks here I will!! Thanks for making it easy for us Kathy want to be’s. And the beauty of it is it’s only paint! Don’t like it re-do it So until then will send good energy ,healing thoughts and prayers in your direction

  4. Hi Kathy
    I am so glad your Dad is doing better and how nice he can be with his wife everyday. He sound like a very sweet husband and father,

    Love looking at all your finish projects, wish I had your energy.

    Best,
    Betty

  5. Je voudrais décaper et revernir en plus clair un petit meuble,je voudrais des conseils. Merçi pour la réponse.

  6. THE most helpful blog out there!!! I have MUCH desire to do these furniture projects however I am very ill. I have the pieces I need to work on but haven’t the strength to DO them. These tips may be exactly what I needed to finally (after a year and a half) be able to complete at LEAST some of more prominent ones. Having them completed will brighten AND LIVEN up my family room where I spend 90% of every day. You have made it soooo much easier than I ever dreamed it would be. THANK YOU!!! I will send pics when/if I complete any. I have a dresser for master bath, a console to use for TV. A coffee table, and several smaller tables and a few chairs. All are antique and NEEEEEEDDDDDD to be brightened/livened up. Thank you again!!!
    Vicki

  7. Hi,
    I don’t have a website yet but would still like to tell you that I enjoy all your blogs and tutorials! You are a very talented lady! I love doing DYI projects and more than that going to junk stores!
    Thank you

  8. I have a drop leaf table that has Formica top that looks like maple and matches legs. Can this milk paint be used on it? Thanks.

  9. I just love all of your postings! Haven’t been following you that long, but I’m always excited to see your site pop up on my e-mail. Thank you for sharing your creativeness & talent with us! I’ve “borrowed” many of your projects!!!

  10. What great transformations!!! I have some furniture that I need to refinish, this will definitely come in handy 🙂

  11. Hello there, this is great . In February, I am restarting my Greeny Crafter series where I feature lovely makers who upcycle. I was wondering whether you would like to be featured. Send me an email at greenissuessg (at) gmail (dot) com Thanks!

  12. kathy… looking at just some of what you’ve done makes me exhausted you be a hard working mama xx

  13. Kathy, I could never be as bold as you with distressing, but I love the painted furniture, especially the tourquoise hutch/desk. I love that you aren’t afraid of color and use it as a major statement.