For decades now, homeowners have been painting the exterior of their homes to make them look more modern, fresh, and unique, but the trend has trickled down to the interior of your home as well, with paint colors that are bolder and brighter than ever before! If you’re looking to change up the color scheme of your living room, kitchen, dining room, or any area of your home, consider refinishing your furniture with new colors! Picking out a new couch or getting rid of an old dresser can be fun and exciting, but it can also be overwhelming because there are so many colors and finishes to choose from! So, it’s better to gain insights about how to paint the old furniture to give your home a refreshing vibe.
If you wonder how to paint furniture, we can give you the ultimate guide to renovating your cabinets or any antique furniture piece in your home. You will learn what tools and materials are needed, which type of paint works best, and how to protect your furniture from getting scratched as you work on it. We also have a few tips to help you paint furniture in the least amount of time and effort possible. So, let’s have a look at some tips that will definitely help you know where to start when it comes to painting furniture!
Step 1: Know what you are getting into
One of the most excellent tips for painting furniture is knowing what you are getting into. That sounds obvious, but it’s important. You should be realistic about your limitations as a painter and only tackle projects that fit within your skill set. Take some time to see if you can paint a piece before you purchase it; get an idea of how difficult or easy it will be based on its construction. If you aren’t confident in your abilities yet, stay away from complicated projects and focus on more simple jobs until you gain experience. Here are some other tips to consider:
- Furniture can be expensive, so it might seem tempting to do less prep work than would normally be required when painting a wall.
- Resist that urge—the amount of time spent preparing will make all the difference when it comes to achieving a high-quality result.
Step 2: Get ready for the process
When you’re ready to start painting furniture, it helps to clear out all unnecessary clutter. This will make it easier for you, especially when spraying your paint—and it will also help keep curious children and pets out of harm’s way. Make sure all nearby items are secured, so they don’t get in your way while painting or get covered with paint. If you have large objects, move them further away from where you’ll be working; set them on a table or other surface that’s easy to clean. If necessary, tape off sections of the wall or flooring where you don’t want the paint to go, and then remove anything else that might need protecting once it has dried.
Step 3: Tools required to paint furniture
Acrylic paint is generally best for painting furniture, as it is water-based and easy to clean. Oil-based paints work well, too but should be avoided when working with wood that may absorb oil. Use masking tape and plastic sheeting around your workspace before you start painting to protect yourself from drips, spills, splatters, and dust. Use newspaper or paper plates to hold excess paint, which you can dispose of easily once it’s dried up. You don’t want any part of your clothing touching any part of your furniture while you’re painting, so make sure everything is covered up with old shirts or gloves—even if only one hand will touch a particular piece at a time! You can also buy inexpensive painters’ caps at most home improvement stores.
Step 4: Prepare your furniture
Another thing you’ll want to do is offer your furniture a good cleaning. This will remove any debris or oils that may be causing your paint to not adhere properly. After you’ve cleaned your furniture, set it up on a clean sheet outside and cover it with plastic. If you don’t want anyone walking through your paint while it’s drying (it’s difficult to tell how thick things are when they are wet), lay some old blankets around it so people can see where they can walk without ruining anything. You could also put some painter tape down for them if you aren’t worried about floors getting dirty; painter tape makes a nice boundary between don’t step here! And go ahead! It doesn’t matter what color you use, as long as it contrasts with whatever colors you are going to be painting. You should have bought spray painting equipment earlier, but now is a good time to figure out what size fan nozzle works best for your project.
Step 5: Paints and Brushes
Be sure to clean your furniture before you start painting, and then you’ll need to buy a few things. You’ll need paint (of course), brushes, sandpaper, and possibly other tools. You’ll also want some protective gear like apron or old clothes in case of drips or splatters—and maybe even a respirator if you are going for really high-quality work. There are many different kinds of paints out there depending on what surface you are working with, so do your research! An important note: make sure that whatever finishes you use will be compatible with any wood surface! This is very important because it can cause permanent damage. For example, water-based varnishes should not be used on anything but wood surfaces. While latex paints aren’t great on glass or metal, they can be used on most woods as long as they dry completely first.
Follow The Steps & Avoid Mistakes
Painting furniture is a serious home improvement project. You don’t want to mess it up and end up having your new piece ruined by a bad paint job. So, follow these tips and always remember that practice makes perfect.
- Start with smaller pieces, like vases or candlesticks, and get them done before you start working on more expensive items, such as antique cabinets or grandfather clocks.
- Keep in mind that when you use oil-based paints for wood furniture, make sure you are wearing gloves and old clothes and have plenty of rags on hand because stains from these kinds of paints can be difficult to remove from skin or clothes!
- Before starting off painting any type of wood surface, make sure to sand it down completely. It might seem silly, but you wouldn’t believe how many people miss spots because they don’t take the time to go over every inch with sandpaper.
- Depending on what kind of look you are trying to achieve with your newly painted piece, there are different types of primers available at local hardware stores, such as rust-resistant primer (for outdoor projects), oil-based primer, and latex-based primer.
- Make sure you pick one that will work best for your specific situation. For example, if you choose an oil-based primer, know that it may affect future coats of latex paint differently than if you had chosen a water-based primer.
Painting a piece of furniture may give it a new lease of life, and it’s an inexpensive way to spruce up your home. Seek old furniture around your home or at yard sales and antique shops, and then try it out for a fun weekend project by following all the above steps!
Painting Furniture: Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose painting over wood stain?
Painting furniture is a great way to add color and style to your home. Plus, painting is much easier than you might think; even an amateur can paint furniture—as long as you use proper techniques and tools. When comparing staining vs. painting your furniture, keep in mind that staining can often produce a darker finish (since it stays within the wood grain) and tends to have a deeper color, whereas paint can be lighter since it covers all of your wood with a single coat.
What kind of paint should I use on furniture?
The paint you use depends on what kind of furniture you’re painting. For example, if you’re painting a metal bed frame with intricate metal details, you want to select an oil-based paint; water-based paints will simply wash away in your hands. However, if it’s made of wood, acrylics are fine for touch-ups and even complete repaints.
What do I need to get started painting furniture?
If you have a piece of furniture that you want to spruce up, it’s time to learn how to paint furniture. The first thing you need is a piece of furniture that will not break in half when you’re working on it. You will also need some sort of protective covering for your work surface, and something to cover your floor with – newspaper and plastic drop cloths work great. If you plan on painting several pieces at once, we suggest investing in an inexpensive tarp as well.
