A Guide On How To Select And Paint Furniture

I compiled this guide on painting old used furniture just for you. I know you want to paint furniture because you tell me you do, and I know you’re scared because you told me that too. 

I will walk you through your first furniture painting project, giving you the advice you need to get started and see the job through. But this post isn’t just for beginners; it’s for professionals, too. There is always something to learn. 

Taking the first step is always the hardest, but it will be worth it. For my first furniture project, I set up in my living room to paint. It worked.

When we moved to Florida, I painted on the tiny balcony of our two-bedroom apartment. That worked, too. I’ve painted furniture outside in extreme heat, cold, and places you wouldn’t believe. Let’s get started….

How To Select Your First Furniture Project

I know you’re thinking you already have your project piece. But you might want to rethink that.

Furniture With Simple Lines 

You should start with a simple piece of furniture for your first paint project. Good candidates are nightstands with straight lines, small chests of drawers with minimal details, and tables where you only paint the tabletop or the drawer fronts.

The photo above shows an example of the furniture that is easiest to paint. You also shouldn’t start with a piece that requires repairs. We’re just talking about a basic paint project.

Furniture With Shelves And Cabinet Doors

Avoid bookcases, china cabinets, wardrobes, and anything with numerous shelves or an interior space that needs painting.

The shelves on china cabinets and bookcases must be painted top and bottom. And look at all those corners! Whew. It’s especially challenging when trying to paint wood furniture evenly.

You may have noticed that, as a rule, I usually don’t paint bookcases or china cabinets. It’s just not worth the time and energy. The photos above are all old projects. Once you paint a small piece or two, you will be ready to tackle your china cabinet or bookcase.

How To Select The Right Type Of Paint

You probably have heard of chalk paint, chalky finish paint, milk paint, mineral paint…all types of specialty furniture paints. Those are fine.

But you don’t have to use those paints. Latex paint works great on furniture. Don’t let anyone tell you it doesn’t. I paint with all types and brands of paint, but I usually use good old latex paint.

I recommend latex because you can buy it anywhere, and you can have it mixed in any color. {read my post on latex paint here} Seriously, just buy a good quality latex paint, and it will be just fine.

Selecting The Paint Color

I suggest starting with a neutral color because it covers any stain or furniture finish well. Neutral colors are anything from black to white, to gray, to browns…in various shades. A neutral color works with just about any color palette.

Pinks, reds, and yellows usually require three coats of paint or more. At least, that’s what I’ve found to be true. Avoid bold colors for your first project.

What About The Paint Sheen?

Let’s talk paint sheen. Flat paint is low sheen and doesn’t reflect light, so it hides imperfections, but it is the most difficult to clean. Matte is low luster and easy to clean. It also hides imperfections.

I’ve never had trouble cleaning flat or matte paint, and I like the flat look. Flat or matte paint will show the fewest brush marks.

Eggshell has a soft, velvety sheen, and satin has just a little more shine. I suggest painting with flat, matte, eggshell, or satin for your projects.. Semi-gloss and gloss paints are harder to work with and will show brush marks.

Prime Furniture Before Painting?

Most latex paint brands do not require a primer, but I recommend using one. It will cover any splotches or uneven areas of the furniture finish and give you a good solid color base for your top coat.

Have the primer tinted gray. White primer is great…if you use white paint as a top coat. Gray is easily covered with any top coat of any color.

Just ask the tech at the paint counter to tint it gray; there is no certain shade. They may tell you there is no room in the can, but they can spoon out a bit of the primer in order to add the gray tint.

About The Paint Brush Or Paint Roller

Why buy quality paint and primer if you skimp on the paintbrush? There are several good paintbrush brands: Purdy, Kilz, and Wooster, just to name a few. The 1½ or 2-inch brushes are good for most projects, and I also like a sash brush for corners or edges.

Paint rollers can be used for furniture. The small 4-inch or 6-inch foam rollers work best. Buy the dense foam rollers, not the soft ones. 

Supplies For Painting Furniture

Supplies and tools to have on hand before starting a furniture paint project are sandpaper, screwdriver, gloves, painter’s tape, plastic wrap, drop cloth, and general cleaning solution or plain old soap and water.

You can get by on most projects without power tools or expensive products. Remember, you want to start with a furniture project where you don’t need to make repairs.

Prep Work Before Painting Furniture

Clean your furniture with soap and water or a cleaning solution. Remove any drawer pulls and store them in a plastic bag along with the screws.

Set the furniture on the drop cloth and remove the drawers.

Apply painter’s tape on areas where needed, including taping over the hardware screw holes on the inside of the drawer to keep paint from leaking into the drawer.

Apply Your Primer

Shake or stir the primer to mix well if the primer has been sitting a while before use. Dip the lower half of the brush into the primer to load the brush.

Paint the sides, front, and top in that order, then paint the drawer fronts. One coat of primer will do the trick. Wash the paintbrush well with soap and water.

Painting The Furniture

Once the primer is dry, apply the paint using the same process as you did with the primer. Pull the brush easily across the surface. If the bristles spread out or splay, you are applying too much pressure. Apply the paint going with the grain of the wood, and make long strokes.

Do not go over the same area repeatedly, as it will pull off the paint, or it will gum up. More than likely, you will see some brush marks. Don’t go crazy. They will hardly be noticeable when the piece is finished and in its spot in the house.

In between coats of paint, wrap the paintbrush tightly in plastic wrap or slip your used gloves over the brush, wrapping it securely. Allow the first coat of paint to dry, and apply a second coat of paint.

The first coat will usually dry within a couple of hours, depending on the environment. The first coat may cover well, but I always use a second coat unless I’m heavily distressing the paint finish.

Finish Touches

It’s time to put the knobs or pulls back on the drawers and the drawers back in the nightstand or chest. You may decide to change the pulls or spray paint the original ones. Either way works unless the holes for the new hardware don’t match up with the new one…and that’s another blog post entirely.

What About Sealing The Furniture?

Latex paint doesn’t require sealing unless the furniture will see heavy use. You should apply a polyacrylic sealer to dining tables and anything that could get damp. Latex paint takes a few weeks to cure completely. Still, you should be able to use the furniture within a few days without worrying about damaging the paint.

Once you paint your furniture, if you want to move on to the easiest paint technique, watch my video on how to distress furniture….

Examples Of Easy Paint Projects

Below are basic paint projects you may want to view for information or inspiration.

Click here……The Blond Table.

Click here …….Cedar Chest Makeover: Trendy Two Tone Paint And Stain Finish

FAQs About Painting Old Furniture

Q: How do I prepare old furniture for painting?

A: I like to start by lightly sanding the surface with fine-grit sandpaper. This helps rough things up so the paint has something to grab onto and properly adhere to. It also gets rid of any loose flakes, giving you a clean slate!

Q: What is the best paint type for painting old furniture?

A: After experimenting over the years, I found chalk-finish type paint or latex paint works best. These are made to grab onto surfaces and give excellent adhesion with little prep work. Bonus—the soft matte or velvety satin finishes bring out gorgeous character!

Q: How many coats of paint should I apply to old furniture?

A: My rule of thumb is two complete coats—first, a good base coat to unify everything, then a second coat in case I missed any corners, details, or small areas, the first go around. Multiple layers also help the true colors shine.

Q: Do I need to apply a clear coat after painting old furniture?

A: Maybe! It depends on the furniture. Adding a layer or two of clear coat sealant is essential for pieces that will see a lot of use or wear and tear, preventing ugly scratches, scuffs, and stains, and water marks.

Q: How long should I let the paint dry before applying a second coat?

A: Patience pays off big time! I mostly follow the paint drying guidelines—usually 24 hours minimum between coats for proper adhesion. But if the area where I am painting is low humidity and I’m working with chalky or latex paint, I can sometimes apply a second layer after a couple of hours.

Q: Can I use oil-based paint on old furniture?

A: Yes! The paint is extremely durable and makes surfaces surprisingly easy to clean. The curing time is longer with oil-based paints and remember that clean-up afterwards is more difficult than with latex paints. Oil-based paints require mineral spirits or similar products for cleaning paintbrushes, etc. 

Q: What is the difference between chalk-type paint and latex paint?

A: Chalk paint requires little prep work, meaning no sanding before painting. Many chalk paints require a sealer to protect the furniture surface. But now you can find good brands of latex paint that include a primer and a sealer in the mix. To me latex paint is a winner for furniture painting.

Q: How can I transform old furniture with paint?

A: The right prep work, paint type, and application techniques let you reimagine tired flea market furniture finds. For more tips on painting furniture, read this article….12 Furniture Makeover Techniques Anyone Can Do

Once you paint your furniture if you want to move on to the easiest paint technique watch my video on how to distress furniture….

Click here……The Blond Table.

Click here……..Red Cedar Chest.

Furniture Painting Guide – Click Here For the Free Printable

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