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    Home » 11 Reasons Why You Should Paint Furniture With Latex Paint

    11 Reasons Why You Should Paint Furniture With Latex Paint

    This post may contain affiliate links

    There are a bunch of reasons why I think you should paint furniture with latex paint also known as water based paint. I've listed my 11 reasons along with great tips like where you can find  great deals on latex paint,  what sheen to use, how to have a custom paint color mixed, and more. Once you learn about painting furniture with latex paint you can update your old furniture!

    white latex paint for furniture

    Painted furniture makeovers are super easy with latex paint. Some people will tell you differently and that's their opinion. The first type of paint I used on furniture was latex. That was back in the day before paint shelves at hardware stores and shops online were overrun with specialty furniture paints. I use some of those specialty paints on occasion but I use latex paint more often than not and I'm going to share the reasons with you. Disclaimer: My opinions are based on my experience  using latex paints. I am not a professional contractor or paint expert.

    Paint Furniture

    This post probably won’t be a hit with the folks who sell specialty furniture paints. At one time I sold specialty furniture paints…and more than one kind…but I got out of that business. Furniture paints are on every street corner, in every antique mall, on Amazon, and just about anywhere there is an empty spot on a store shelf.

    11 Reasons Why You Should Paint Furniture With Latex Paint

    1. Availability

    Latex paint is readily available at hardware stores, home improvement stores, department stores, paint stores, etc. It can also be ordered online. Did you know you can even buy latex paint at Target? The paint at Target is premixed and there isn't a broad selection.

    painting furniture and adding decorative furniture knobs

    2. Price

    Price is probably tied with availability for the number one reason I use latex paint. Let’s face it, most of the furniture paints are a little on the pricey side. Latex paint is a fraction of the cost of these paints. I’ll let you in on a little secret too. Most stores that custom mix paint colors have a shelf where you can find “oops” paint at a greatly reduced price.

    oops latex paint

    Oops Paint

    Oops paint is a custom mix color that a homeowner selected and then decided they didn’t like the color. The store will mark the paint down considerably. I have purchased quarts of oops paint for $4 where the regular price would have been $18 and gallons of oops paint for $8-$10 where the regular price would have been $38+.A lot of times you can find sample jars of paint on the oops shelf and those are as low in price as 50 cents.

    Latex paint also known as water based paint can be used to paint furniture

    You would be surprised how much paint is in those samples, usually enough for a nightstand or vintage wood sewing cabinet. If you don’t see any oops paint at your local hardware store ask the paint guy where you can find it. You can also purchase latex paint at a big discount at Habitat Restores. Some DIY’ers and contractors donate leftover paints from home projects to Habitat Restore.

    Sometimes you can get new cans of paint at Habitat too. There may be other stores in your area that also collect paint to resell. It would be worthwhile to check listings in your area for this type of shop.

    3. Color Selection

    There are endless displays of paint color chips in the stores. You can get your own paint deck from the manufacturer for a price. There are literally thousands and thousands of paint colors to choose from. Sometimes when I'm talking a break in the workshop I look through my paint decks for inspiration.

    custom latex paint color

    Custom latex paint color for furniture and walls!

    You can also have your own custom color mixed up to match wallpaper, fabric, wall color, etc. I mixed a custom color for our bedroom furniture and you can see the dresser makeover here. And here is a little secret I learned from my friend Karianne, Thistlewood Farms, and I have yet to try it. It's hard to explain so I'm going to give you an example.

    Say you paint your cabinets dark gray and you want your kitchen island to be just a bit lighter but the next color on the paint chip is too light. You can ask the guy at the paint store to make 50% formula or any percentage of your color to white paint. This will give you a lighter shade of that dark gray. Genius huh! Kari says she thinks they can only do this mix at a paint store like Sherwin Williams, etc.

    paint furniture for the bedroom

    4. Sheens

    Latex paint comes in a variety of sheens. The following sheens are usually available from the paint manufacturer; Matte/Flat, Eggshell, Satin, Semi-Gloss, Gloss, Hi-Gloss. At this time my favorite sheen for furniture is Flat (or Matte depending on the manufacturer) and a close second is Eggshell. I like Hi-Gloss for the retro-modern look that’s trending now.

    1950's blond table painted with latex paint

    5. All In One Product

    Paint & Primer and sometimes sealer (if needed)  combination paint is the norm. For most projects there is no need to buy an additional primer product. For most furniture projects the paint doesn’t require an additional top-coat either. Win-Win!

    wood trunk painted Benjamin Moore Hale Navy

    6. Wax, Sealant, Top-Coat  Not Required

    As a rule a top-coat on furniture is not needed for latex paint. If  I were painting a dining room table I would use a sealer or top-coat over any paint type. If you do need to seal or wax over latex paint there are many products to choose from. Specialty furniture paints require their own special waxes and sealers which are usually pricy.

    7. Quality And Durability

    When buying latex paint stick with top brands and manufacturers. Paint quality and durability has been steadily getting better and better over the last few years. I have used a number of paint brands that cover in one coat! It all depends on the color you are using and what color or stained finish you are covering.

    8. Paint Furniture With Latex Paint: Custom Mixes

    The best thing about latex paint is the ability to have the color of your dreams. Take in a favorite blanket, decorator pillow, rug, fabric, you name it,and the paint guy can match the color to a tee or pretty darn close.

    red furniture

    Junktion Red Cedar Chest Antiqued With Wax

    I love to combine my own colors at home until I come up with the perfect color for a project. For example, I mixed a fabulous red from different latex colors in my stash. I liked it so well I brushed some on a paint stirrer and had Home Depot color match the paint for me. It's called Junktion Red!

    9. Special Paint Techniques Friendly

    Latex paint can be distressed, antiqued, aged, white-washed, glazed, crackled, stenciled, decoupaged over, etc. You name it, I haven’t found a technique I couldn’t use on latex painted furniture.

    gray latex paint for furniture

    Latex paint can be used in a paint sprayer. I often use it in my HomeRight Finish Max Sprayer. Foam brushes, bristle brushes, and rollers can be used to apply latex paint.

    10. Ease of use

    Buy the latex paint of your choice, bring it home, shake or stir, and paint. There is no mixing of powders or painting with lumpy paint.

    11. Paint Samples!

    I talked about the paint samples earlier but I didn't mention how useful they are. Most specialty furniture paints don't come in sample sizes. You have to pay the big price for the big jar.....and what if it isn't the color you thought you wanted. No returns. Most latex paint companies have sample sizes you can purchase for less than $6.

    how to paint red and white stripes on furniture

    I just thought of another reason to use latex paint on furniture. You can use a paint sprayer with latex paint. I'm not sure about some of those other paints. I painted my metal glider with a paint sprayer using beautiful yellow latex paint by HGTV Home Sherwin Williams.

    paint a metal glider with latex paint and a paint sprayer

    Paint jobs like these are so much easier with a paint sprayer and latex paint works like a dream in a paint sprayer. Easy clean up too. Now you know why I paint furniture using latex paint! The following furniture makeovers feature latex paint.

    To see the complete makeover  with paint information and more photos just click the photo or the link below it. If you have any questions or observations on latex paint there is a comment section below.

    Painted Furniture Makeovers using Latex Paint.....

    Paint furniture using latex paint

    White Chest with Metallic Gold Knobs

    White paint is so classy. Paint a chest of drawers for your bedroom or a stunning piece for your foyer. Did you know there is an endless number of white paint colors? Just go to your local hardware store and check it out.

    Spray Painted Hardware Petticoat Junktion 1

    Nursery Furniture in Coral

    martha stewart metallic silver paint furniture project

    Silver Metallic Paint Aged With Toner

    Painted furniture makeovers using metallic paint are some of my favorites. You can just let it shine or give it an aged or antiqued look by applying a toner or dark wax. The table above was dark and drab. I applied one coat of primer tinted gray (my favorite is Glidden Gripper), two coats of metallic silver paint, and toner to give the paint depth. It would be perfect in a beach house or in a little girl's room anywhere.

    white-wash-furniture

    Blue Paint & White Wash Chest.

    What a pretty blue. The detail doors on the top part of the chest called for something extra, make those details pop. White wash was the perfect answer.

    Highly, Highly Distressed Chest.

    Yep, this one stirred up some controversy but I was patting myself on the back. I never know what a project will look like until I'm finished. Sometimes I'm happy with the results and sometimes not.

    distressed shabby white dresser with turquoise knobs Petticoat Junktion project 1

    I've repainted furniture I don't know how many times because I didn't like the finished product. This one I loved but others didn't. To each his own.

    I've received several comments about the VOCs in latex paint. Actually some latex paints are VOC free now. You can find a list of them here at My Chemical Free House.  You can also find a list of no VOC paint here on House Beautiful. Behr Premium Plus is one of the Zero VOC paints and Behr is one of my go-to paint brands for painting furniture. Once you have your furniture painted you might want to distress it. Distressing painted furniture gives it depth and character and latex paint is perfect for distressing. I made a short video showing the distressing technique. Watch it below...

    How To Distress Painted Furniture

    11 reasons to paint furniture using latex paint

    Paint Furniture Makeovers Using Latex Paint

    Do you have any latex paint around the house? Maybe some leftover from a house painting project. Maybe you have a piece of furniture that needs a little love. Go for it! As always, thanks for being here and have a great day, Kathy

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Kelly Rachal

      January 12, 2022 at 2:21 pm

      How can I grunge up a freshly painted piece? I'm especially interested in dixie belles dixie dirt. I like the look it gives. Or is there a similar product for latex paints?

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        January 12, 2022 at 9:15 pm

        Not sure if this is the look you are going for but take a look at this post....https://petticoatjunktion.com/painted-furniture/distressed-antique-white-furniture-paint-tutorial/ and

        Reply
    2. Jennifer

      October 12, 2021 at 2:58 pm

      I am going to use leftover latex paint to paint a kid's table. You mentioned you normally don't use a topcoat but would for a dining room table. What type of topcoat would you recommend? I'd like to stick with something with zero VOCs. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        October 12, 2021 at 7:15 pm

        Jennifer, I'm not familiar with any of the zero voc sealers. I would do an online search and find something that way maybe. I have used Varathane and General Finishes before with good results.

        Reply
    3. Iliana

      January 28, 2021 at 9:04 am

      What about prepping the furniture? I wanna do my my outdated dinning set.
      Thank you

      Reply
    4. debbie

      January 12, 2021 at 10:17 pm

      Here in Canada, we recycle latex paint and stain at recycling centres. They in turn give the paint away for free to anyone that wants it. A lot of the paint tins have never even been opened. It is usually not enough to paint a room, but always enough to paint a piece furniture.

      Reply
    5. Joan

      January 12, 2021 at 12:07 pm

      Thank you for the many great ideas and beautiful inspiration.

      Reply
    6. gwen

      January 12, 2021 at 10:43 am

      thank you, thank you, thank you for your validation! i have yet to take the plunge into chalk paint. i just managed to go through my stash of H4H Restore paints i have - all pints or quarts - and i found so many great colors to choose from! i've got a ton of things to get going on now!

      Reply
    7. Susan

      January 12, 2021 at 9:02 am

      As always a great post, I do the same, have mostly given up on 'special paints and their high prices. I thought of another reason Kathy, the price leaves a bit left over to buy some special touches like knobs etc.

      Reply
    8. Vicky Blackwell

      January 12, 2021 at 8:49 am

      I do like latex but agree with the above comment about vocs. Not everyone has an area to paint that is outside and/or well ventilated. I have a respirator but so uncomfortable to wear while painting. Are there any no voc latex paints? I though behr might have one.

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        January 12, 2021 at 5:27 pm

        Hi Vicky, There are actually latex paints now that are Zero Voc. I updated the post with info on this subject. Thanks for pointing out the chemical issues with latex paint.

        Reply
    9. Bev W

      January 12, 2021 at 7:41 am

      With proper prep I've never had a latex peel. But then again, my items are not outside I use latex to be fiscally responsible!😉 although I love the other paints!!

      Reply
    10. Lorraine Castellon-Rowe

      January 12, 2021 at 5:40 am

      Thank you for the great info.

      Reply
    11. Cheryl Atkinson

      January 12, 2021 at 5:36 am

      Kathy, I agree with all 11 reasons why but what about the VOC's? What about the chemicals and the smell? Layte. Also peels. I have made my own. Half pai t out of laytex. Now you didnt add that to your list. 🙂

      Reply
    12. TM

      September 06, 2019 at 8:44 am

      I have painted furniture for years also using latex paint for all the reasons you described. I'm not interested in the bazillions of other types of paint out there and researching the best ways to use them. Why bother, when you can get a great latex paint in the desired color and get fabulous results with it. Although prices have risen some, latex is still more affordable and like you Kathy, I always check out the oops and sample paints and keep an ample stash of those. In my opinion you just can't beat latex.

      Reply
    13. Rose Lefebvre

      September 05, 2019 at 11:59 am

      You really sold me!

      Reply
    14. Alice Hanson

      September 05, 2019 at 10:18 am

      Kathy, I totally agree. I have been using oops paint for years. I do like my DIY homemade paint too. But latex is easy! I really enjoy your blog!
      Smiles, Alice

      Reply
    15. Jennifer Kavanagh

      February 25, 2016 at 8:44 am

      Saw this link from "DIY like a boss" and I had to click! Finally some truth out there!!!! I have painted a ton over the years and like you, I love all paint types but the "chalk is the only way" band wagon drives me a bit crazy. Nothing wrong with it but yes you can create a jaw dropping amazing paint finish with good old house paint! And the myth that is wont last isn't true either. I have a beutiful piece sitting in my entry that my grandfather painted with good old house paint 40 years ago! Good luck with your article. People get pretty defensive of their chalk paint ? But seriously folks, house paint people, it is just as good.

      Reply
      • Vartika

        March 04, 2022 at 3:19 am

        Can you also use dark wax on late paint?

        Reply
        • Kathy Owen

          March 04, 2022 at 5:41 pm

          Yes. I find it works best on flat, matte, or satin finishes.

          Reply
    16. Rebecca

      February 23, 2016 at 2:51 pm

      Thank you for posting this. I have an old dresser that I want to paint a darker shade of the room's wall color, and I was worried that the latex might not go on well or hold up. After reading your post, I'm going to try it! Your furniture example are beautiful.

      Reply
    17. Kim~madeinaday

      February 23, 2016 at 12:51 pm

      Great post I haven't thought of using just latex for furniture. thanks for the tips! Thanks for linking up to Merry Monday! Sharing on Pinterst! Have a great week!
      Kim

      Reply
    18. Christine

      February 23, 2016 at 10:36 am

      Great tips on latex! Loved it, you're right it is pricey for some of those brand name chalk paints and I am not a wax person. It is too high maintenance.

      I did try a cheap chalk paint from a local craft store to paint my kitchen table and it turned out pretty good with a coat of poly over it, but some other projects I rely on latex and the usual sprays for outdoors.

      Reply
    19. [email protected]

      February 21, 2016 at 12:28 am

      I'm with ya! Love latex paint, and I will add that those three dollar samples changed my life!! I just painted an entire twin bed frame for three dollars in paint! I love the durability of latex; I love how when you distress it the sheen wears down, adding another layer of color...it gives depth without added work or treatments. I have used chalk paints and enjoy them, but it is so nice having a a hard finish all in one (and much more cost-effective)! I'm lazy, I guess!

      Reply

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