How to Paint Furniture (Beautifully)

All it takes is a little brushwork to turn a dated discard into a funky feature or smarten up a tired design

Sarah Warwick 22 February 2018

Houzz Contributor. I'm a freelance journalist and editor writing for nationals, magazines and websites. A serial house revamper, I love great design, beautiful interiors and practical solutions.

Houzz Contributor. I'm a freelance journalist and editor writing for nationals, magazines... More

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The piece of furniture you need for your room may be the one you already possess. The Cinderella of your home (or the junk shop or car-boot sale) is only waiting for the right finish to turn it into a beauty, and rather than glass slippers and ballgown, all it needs is paint. Follow this expert advice for the best results.

Professional advice from: Zoe Hewett of Zoe Hewett Interiors; paint and colour expert Annie Sloan.

Designerpaint

Get prepped
You may have some tasks to complete before you apply colour. “If you’re using a chalk-based paint, you’ll need to wash the timber down first with soapy water to remove any grease or dirt,” says Zoe Hewett.

If a piece has been been painted, you’ll need to sand it to make a ‘key’ for the new paint. “I’d go for a medium-grade paper, because you don’t want to create major grooves, but nor do you want to be polishing it smooth,” says Hewett. If you do more than one coat of gloss or eggshell, as opposed to chalk-based paint, you’ll need to lightly sand in between coats, too.

Annie Sloan Interiors

Select a finish
When you’re picking paint, consider the look you want the finished piece to have. Everything from chalky effects and washes of colour through to smooth contemporary finishes and textural looks is on offer. The sheen is important to the look as well: chalk paint can create a matt finish; gloss has shine; and eggshell is in between the two.

Think, too, about whether you want a single colour or more than one. “Something I love to do is to put a bold colour on the inside of a piece that’s painted in quite a neutral shade on the outside,” says Annie Sloan. “It’s a good way of introducing colour if you’re not confident with it.

“I love creating patterns with my stencils,” she adds. “You can layer up a few different stencil designs or create a pattern with one.”

Traditional Bespoke Furniture

Undercoat if necessary
Priming may also be necessary before adding colour. “If you’re using eggshell or gloss, then an undercoat or primer is advisable,” says Hewett. “Some paints for wood are self-undercoating, though, so it’s important to always check the instructions on the tin or ask your local decorator’s merchant for advice.”

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Veronica Rodriguez Interior Photography

Follow the order
Where you start and how you work through the job depends on the item of furniture you’re revamping.

“With a freestanding wardrobe, I’d paint the body first and then focus on the doors,” says Sloan. “I do the doors as a separate task, as there are three parts to consider: the inside, the outside and the hinges. You must paint both with the doors open and with the door closed to make sure you don’t miss any areas or get any drips.”

Stylemongers Of Bristol

“When you do a chair, it’s important to turn it upside down and paint the underneath first. That way, you won’t miss bits,” she says.

When it comes to chests of drawers, Sloan says, “There’s no right or wrong order to paint [a chest of] drawers, but I always start with the sides and then finish with the top. I take the drawers out of the carcass and paint the fronts with a thick coat. It’s important to thin the paint with water when painting the sides,” she adds, “because you need some wiggle room to push and pull the drawers in and out with ease.”

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STEPHEN FLETCHER ARCHITECTS

Work on fitted designs
Fitted furniture in need of a new look can also be transformed. “Logistically, I’d suggest you start by cutting in and creating an outline of the piece of furniture before painting the whole thing,” says Sloan.

“If you’re painting a built-in wardrobe, I’d suggest the same steps as with a freestanding piece, doing the doors separately, closed, open etc.”

Tell us…
Have you revamped furniture with paint? Share a photo or give us your tips in the Comments section.

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lynmariewallace

I use Rustoleum and Haymes chalk paint. I decided to take out the chair backs which was a huge job as their were hundreds of staples that had to be removed. I was very happy with with how the leather seats turned out painting them with stripes. The seats are soft and flexible. Finish with Rustoleum matte clear...easy peasy.