Paint Bedroom Furniture Using White Paint Tinted With Room Color Paint
Here’s a unique way to paint bedroom furniture using white paint mixed with your room color for a special custom look.
Mixing paint colors is a thing with me so when I got ready to paint the master bedroom nightstands I made a custom paint color. To do this I mixed just a bit of the room color paint with Glidden White Primer.
A lot of professional painters and people who know about these things would say not to use primer to paint furniture. But….I’m not a professional and I go my own way.
Today is our monthly Furniture Fixer Upper Tour and you can find those blog links after my nightstand tutorial.
The custom color I mixed up is an off-white and it looks great against the brown bedroom walls. If you guys are regulars here you know we just recently painted out master bedroom.
I’ve been revealing the room bit by bit because it still isn’t finished…..decor wise. Once it is then I’ll do a full reveal with all the paint and decor details. I still need one special piece to finish the room and it might be a while before I find it.
The pair of nightstands have been in our bedroom for a number of years. I purchased the nightstands when we lived in Florida and I painted them black the first go-round. Then they went through the two-tone transformation you see above. Time to update them to go with the new bedroom decor.
How I made the perfect paint color…….I added a bit of the bedroom wall paint to the Glidden primer I mentioned earlier.
I mixed the paint together and then brushed a bit on the nightstand.
The paint was a bit lighter than I wanted and it seemed to have a pinkish tint to it. Hardly noticeable but I noticed it.
I had 5 sample size containers of paint that I had mixed when trying to decide on the bedroom color. The sample above had a gray tone compared to the other and I mixed a little of it with the primer/wall color mixture.
I brushed a bit of it on the nightstand and decided the color was a winner. After looking at the painted nightstands for a couple of weeks I took a sample of my custom mixed color to Home Depot and had the paint matched.
I got a quart of Behr Ultra paint, one of my favorite brands. I plan to use the new color on a piece next week and I’ll share the color recipe with you! The paint guy matched the color perfectly.
I applied two coats of custom mix paint to the nightstands then distressed the pieces very lightly by hand using 100 grit sandpaper.
Somehow I failed to take a few important photos during the makeover process. What I missed was the details on how to change out hardware when the screw holes will be different from the original. (I do have a tutorial here that explains it all).
The nightstands needed a more modern vibe and I needed to change out the drawer pulls to make that happen. I filled the two drawer handle holes with wood putty and then drilled one hole in the center of each drawer for the replacement knob.
When I was trying to decide what type of knobs would look best I pulled several I thought might work from my stash of new knobs and tried them out on the drawers. The turquoise glass knob looked the best with the off-white paint color but I only had two of those knobs.
I made a trip to Hobby Lobby and I was in luck. They had identical turquoise knobs but in a slightly larger size. I bought those and put a small knob on the small top drawer of each nightstand and the larger knobs on the two larger drawers of each nightstand. Hope that made sense!
The nightstands turned out better than I expected. I really planned to change them out when I found the perfect replacements but now I’m in love.
To find the details on the headboard I purchased, hauled home, and put together myself while the hubby was in the hospital click here.
If you like this makeover check out the sideboard below……..
Watch the video below on how to get the perfect distressed antique white furniture finish like you see in furniture stores and online….
Special Furniture Finish
What do you think of the nightstands? Leave a note if you have time. Head out on the Furniture Fixer Upper Tour by clicking the links below the “before makeovers” photo collage.
Furniture Fixer Upper Tour……
Wood Mosaic Table Top Girl In The Garage
Ornate Sofa Table Makeover Confessions of a Serial DIYer
Nesting Tables Makeover Just The Woods
How To Thin Paint Salvaged Inspirations
Custom Paint For Nightstands Petticoat Junktion (you are here)
As always, thanks for being here, 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
I had a bedroom set like that at one time. There is no reason you can’t paint everything except the bed. Wood stained furniture and white or off-white look great together. Another way to refresh the look is to take the heavy mirror with shelves off of the dresser and replace it with a wall mirror. Just a thought.
I would love to do this with my 40 yr old bedroom set except my bed is new , it’s a motorized bed with a beautiful wood sleigh headboard and the frame around the the bed is wood.
My dresser has the shelves on each side, it’s like The Paul Bunyan set, Pine wood, knicks& little stains after 40 yrs , to tell the truth I would Love it white just cause my room is very dark and I’m so tired of dusting the whole set& a few days later it’s dusty again, thake hours to clean.
Thank you Donna!
I think I like this makeover the best. The blue knobs make a big difference and look so pretty. #HomeMattersParty
I really love the way these came out. They look great against the brown walls and the aqua blue accent is perfect!
I’ve been following your bedroom makeover, Kathy and it’s coming along nicely. The night tables look so good, love the color of the knobs. Great tip adding a tad of wall color to the paint. I’m finally catching up on this month’s furniture fixer upper projects – I miss you guys!
Your bedroom is looking so warm and inviting! The nightstands are a great color and I love the knobs! Great tip about using some of your wall color to make a custom color! I hope you Hubby is doing well. XOXO
I’m dying to see the photos! There were so many ads covering them up I couldn’t see.
Kathy your bedroom is looking fabulous! Awesome job on making the nightstands look completely refreshed too. The new knobs give that needed pop of color. xo
Great job on the night stands; hope your hubby is home and well. The headboard looks great.
Those tables have been thoroughly loved to make it through a few makeovers! I think they look great now – getting the right color was worth the effort.
Perfect solution to the , what color do i paint the furniture after painting the walls? I just love this! Thank you.
The nightstands are beautiful! Hard to believe they’re the same nightstands. Can you please tell me the brand and color of the walls? Love it.
Gorgeous bedroom makeover.
Nightstands look great and I appreciate the painting tips!!
That’s the beauty of a great piece of furniture, you can customize it as many times as you like! I love the new looks Kathy and your bedroom looks lovely! ?
Never even noticed the knobs. Love love the paint color! Such a beautiful change
Great change! Love the knobs color.
Kathy they look like totally different tables!! I love the new look xoxo
Great job on your bedroom. I could easily take a nap in there right now. Thanks❤️
I am in love with your bedroom. I love the color of the nightstands and the color of the knobs make the nightstands pop. Love it.
Excellent and very useful tips. Thanks Kathy.