Paint Furniture With Latex Paint: 13 Really Good Reasons

You should paint furniture with latex paint, also known as water-based paint. I will give you 13 reasons why and some great tips, such as where to find the best deals on latex paint, what sheen to use, how to mix a custom paint color, and more.

Once you learn about painting furniture with latex paint, you can update your old furniture!

13 Reasons Why You Should Paint Furniture With Latex Paint

Painted furniture makeovers are super easy with latex paint. Some people will tell you differently, and that’s their opinion. Paint shelves at hardware stores and online shops are overrun with specialty furniture paints.

I use some of those specialty paints on occasion but I use latex paint more often than not. Disclaimer: My opinions are based on my experience using latex paints. I am not a professional contractor or paint expert.

Speciality Furniture Paints Aren’t Required

This post probably won’t be a hit with those selling 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.

1. Availability

Latex paint is readily available at hardware, home improvement, department, and paint stores. You can also order latex paint 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.

You can also purchase latex paint at a big discount at Habitat Restores. Some DIY’ers and contractors donate leftover paints or even new cans of paint from home projects to Habitat Restore. Other stores in your area may also collect paint to resell. It would be worthwhile to check listings in your area for this type of shop.

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 Paint

Oops paint is a custom-mix color that a homeowner selected and then decided they didn’t like. 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+. You can often find sample jars of paint on the Oops shelf, which are as low in price as 50 cents.

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. 

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 thousands and thousands of paint colors to choose from. Sometimes, when taking a break in the workshop, I look through my paint decks for inspiration.

Custom Paint Colors

You can also have your own custom color mixed at your local home improvement store to match wallpaper, fabric, wall color, etc. I mixed a custom color for our bedroom furniture.  

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 will give you an example.

Great Tip On Custom Paint Mixtures!

Say you paint your cabinets dark gray and 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 they can only do this mix at a paint store like Sherwin Williams.

4. Latex Paint Sheens

Latex paint comes in various sheens: matte/Flat, Eggshell, Satin, Semi-Gloss, Gloss, and Hi-Gloss. My current favorite sheen for furniture is Flat (or Matte, depending on the manufacturer), and eggshell is a close second. I like Hi-Gloss for the retro-modern look that’s trending now.

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. The same is true for a sealer or top coat, which is unnecessary. Win-Win!

6. Wax, Sealant, Top-Coat; Not Required

Often, a top coat on furniture is not needed for latex paint. If painting a dining room table, I would use a sealer or top coat over any paint type. If you 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 have been steadily getting better and better over the last few years. I’ve used several 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. Latex paint is also resistant to fading, cracking, and peeling, which makes it a great option for furniture that will be used regularly.

8. Custom Paint Mixes

The best thing about latex paint is having 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.

I love to combine my 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, etc. You name it—I haven’t found a technique I can’t use on latex-painted furniture.

10. Ease of Use

Buy the latex paint you believe best fits your project, bring it home, shake or stir, and paint. There is no mixing of powders or painting with lumpy paint. Clean-up after painting the furniture is easy since latex paint is water-based.

11. Paint Samples!

I talked about the paint samples earlier but didn’t mention their usefulness. 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.

12. Use Latex Paint in a Paint Sprayer

Painting a piece like this metal glider with a paint sprayer is easy. Use a paint sprayer filled with latex paint to paint any furniture. It will make the job go much faster. The latex paint must be thinned with water when using a paint sprayer. I often use my HomeRight Finish Max Sprayer. 

13. Latex Paint is Available in Specialty Finishes

Now, you can get metallic paint in latex paint. At one time, metallic paints were oil-based….and messy. You can buy chalkboard latex paint and dry-erase board latex paint.

Drying Time For Latex Paint

Latex paint dries fast, usually in 1-2 hours, depending on the temperature and humidity of your work area. 

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Latex Paint For Furniture

Do you have any latex paint around the house? Maybe some leftovers 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