How to Paint Furniture – 5 Paint Options

Choose the right paint for your project! Come learn how to paint furniture in latex, chalk paint, milk paint, spray paint, and oil-based paint. 

More help with furniture painting: How to Refinish Wood Furniture (Stripping off old Finishes)  –  How to Prevent Tannin Bleed-Through  –  How to Stain Wood Any Color with a Color Wash

How to Paint Furniture – 5 Options for Paint

by Sara of Sincerely, Sara D.

I am excited to be here with you today on Remodelaholic.  If you follow my blog, you know that I will paint (almost) anything. New furniture, old pieces, dressers, cabinets — all of it! A coat of paint and new hardware can give any old piece of furniture a brand new style!

Today I am going to share tips for painting furniture using five different types of paint: latex, chalk, milk, spray and oil-based. Decide what paint type is best for your furniture painting project.

This post contains affiliate links. Learn more and read our full disclosure policy here.

Before You Start Painting: How Do You Prepare Furniture for Painting?

• Read our tips for prepping refinished furniture to remove smells and get a piece ready to paint.
• If the previous finish is damaged or peeling, we recommend removing it prior to painting. See the almost-no-sanding technique we love for refinishing furniture.
• Remove all old hardware, dresser drawers, etc and tape off any area you don’t want to paint with painter’s tape and/or film.
• Repair any damage to the old piece of furniture. Tighten up joints, fill gouges or holes, etc.
• Clean the surface and/or sand, depending on the type of paint you are using.

DIY Supplies for Painting Furniture

The needed supplies will vary depending on the type of paint you choose for your painting project, but these general furniture painting supplies helpful:

• Tack cloth for removing sanding dust
• Painter’s tape and/or plastic film
• Smooth foam roller
• 2″ angled paint brush
• Sanding block or orbital sander
• Protective eyewear and respirator

How to Paint Furniture with Latex Paint

Latex paint (also known as water-based or acrylic paint) is great because it is inexpensive and easy to clean up since it’s water-based.

Step 1: Sand

You must sand your furniture piece to remove some of the piece’s current finish while creating a surface the paint can adhere to. A high grit sandpaper is a good option to give the surface some grip without damaging it. Sand in the direction of the grain.

Step 2: Clean

Give your piece a good cleaning.  Use a damp rag to remove dust from sanding and any other dirt or grime. If needed, wash down the piece and use a cleaner like Simple Green or a heavy-duty cleaner like TSP.

Step 3: Prime

Priming before you paint with latex paint takes time, but it will be well worth it to ensure that the latex paint won’t chip or peel. If you’re painting over a stained wood piece, primer will also help prevent bleedthrough from the wood tannins.

Step 4: Paint

How the paint is applied will determine the look of the paint.  Use a foam roller for a smoother look. Use a high-quality brush for places the roller won’t reach. A standard eggshell finish paint is a good option.

You can also invest in a paint sprayer for a high-end paint finish. If you’ll be painting cabinets or lots of furniture, a paint sprayer may be worth the extra cost and the learning curve to save you time!

Step 5: Seal with a topcoat

Seal latex paint with a water-based polyurethane protective finish or sealer, such as Polycrylic.  It’s water-based (like latex), and it should not yellow over time. For a really heavy use piece, you could use a heavy duty shellac if you prefer.

If you are using the newer lines of alkyd paint that is formulated for furniture, no sealer is needed. Allow the piece plenty of time to cure (following the manufacturer instructions on the can).

How to Paint Furniture with Chalk Paint

If you take a look around my blog, you’ll quickly realize I am a huge fan of any type of chalk paint (or miracle paint as I lovingly call it).

Chalk paint doesn’t require stripping, sanding or priming!  It adheres to almost any surface, dries quickly and cleans up easily with soap and water.  It even works on a bathroom vanity like this or kitchen cabinets like these.

For additional info: Read reviews of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and Cece Caldwell Paint, plus more tips for using chalk paint here.

Step 1: Wash

To begin, I usually just wipe down a piece to remove any dust or dirt.  I personally have never used a primer with chalk-type paint, but I would suggest it if the piece has a really glossy finish.

Step 2:  Paint, at least 2 coats

Paint the entire piece with paint.  I usually use a brush (but a small roller could come in hand for some pieces such as cabinets).  You’ll find that a little paint goes a long way, and I almost always use two coats of paint.  Chalk-type paint dries really fast, but make sure the first coat is dry before applying the second.

Step 3:  Clear Wax, then Dark, if desired

After the paint is completely dry, apply two coats of wax on the piece using a wax brush.  I don’t wait for the first coat of wax to dry before I apply the second coat.  A tip when waxing, less is more!

Dark Wax is optional.  Use it if you want to bring out details and/or like the aged look.  You must apply clear wax BEFORE you apply dark wax.  Go easy on the dark wax.  You won’t need much!  Apply the dark wax with a brush over somewhat dry clear wax.  Remove excess wax with a lint-free cloth.

You are not limited to using wax,. For high-use, high-touch pieces such as kitchen cabinets, table tops, desk tops, floors, and outdoor furniture, I would recommend a water-based polyurethane protective finish such as Polycrylic.

Step 4: Buff

Buff the wax using a lint-free cloth.  It’s pretty easy to see where you missed the wax, so you can easily touch those places up with a brush or rubbing wax in with your cloth.  Buffing helps smooth out and remove extra wax.

Step 5: Sand

If desired, sand to give the piece an aged, worn, imperfect look. I recommend sanding after you apply the wax because of the chalk nature of chalk-type paint.  It will make a mess if you sand before waxing and then you risk mixing the paint particles into the wax.  I usually sand the edges and places where normal wear and tear would occur.

And that’s it!  This is by far my favorite paint to use on furniture.

Chalk paint used to be the go-to for painting furniture without sanding. Now, there are multiple brands of paint that offer the sanding free painting process without having to use furniture wax to seal the matte finish chalk paint. Read Cassity’s experience with the Beyond Paint brand here. 

How to Paint Furniture with Milk Paint

I have a love/hate relationship with milk paint.

I love it because:

• it does not require any prep work
• it has beautiful dimension being made from natural pigments
• on raw wood, it is lovely, acting like a stain
• on raw wood, it will soak in, meaning great durability

I hate it because:

• it tends to chip if used on a piece with an existing finish
• the results on a piece with an existing finish can be unpredictable
• milk paint’s consistency makes it hard to control

But all is not lost! If you are painting a piece with an existing finish, you can add a bonding agent.  A bonding agent is sold separately from chalk paint then added to the paint.  Chipping can still occur with the bonding agent – but not to the same extent as it would without.

For more information: See reviews of The Real Milk Paint Company and Old Fashioned Milk Paint, also Layering Milk Paint to Create a Distressed Finish. 

Step 1: Mix

Milk paint comes in powdered form so requires mixing.  It has an indefinite shelf life as a powder, however, once mixed the paint needs to be used fairly quickly.  To mix, you add one part powder to one part paint.  You can add more powder (or water) to get the consistency you prefer.  Allow the paint to sit for a bit to allow the clumps to absorb water and help the bubbles to go away.  Keep in mind that you will need to occasionally mix the paint from time to time since the powder will settle at the bottom.

Step 2: Paint

Milk Paint doesn’t require prep work before you paint – no sanding or priming!  Milk paint is thin and drips pretty easily.  Use quick strokes and stay on top of the drips, wiping them as quickly as possible.  Wait for each coat to dry before adding another.  I usually do 3 coats of milk paint.

Step 3: Sand

After you’re done painting, you can sand the piece.  Sanding is great if you want to distress and smooth out the finish (you’ll notice some powder lumps).  If you have a lot of chipping, you’ll want to smooth out these areas.

Step 4: Apply a finish: Wax, Oil, Polycrylic, etc

I use wax on my milk painted pieces then buff the wax using a lint-free cloth.  It’s pretty easy to see where you missed with the wax, so you can touch up those places with the brush or cloth.  Buffing helps smooth out and remove extra wax.

A water-based polyurethane protective finish such as Polycrylic  is best for high-use pieces such as cabinets or desks. Oils are also an option. Hemp oil is a great because it’s food safe.

How to Paint Furniture with Spray Paint

Spray paint is quick and easy.  It offers coverage without brush strokes and a very easy cleanup.

Also, since spray paint is typically oil-based, it adheres well to most surfaces.  It dries fast and is durable.

However, it can get expensive if you have a large piece of furniture and it needs warmer temperatures to work correctly.

Step 1: Prep your Furniture Piece

Clean your furniture piece well and allow it to dry completely. A quick sand with fine-grit sandpaper is usually recommended — check the instructions on the can.

Step 2: Prep your Work Area and Yourself

Spray paint in a well-ventilated area.  I use the garage with the door wide open.

Use a large cloth to protect the floor.   Wear a paint mask.

Also, I suggest a spray paint attachment to keep your hands clean and minimize muscle cramping.

Step 3: Prep the Paint Can

Shake your can for several minutes. The first spray out of the can will often splatter.

Aim the can away from the item you’re painting, push down on the nozzle and start spraying.

I often “practice” on a piece of cardboard to get the splatters out and to determine how fast or slow I should move the can.

Step 4: First Base Coat

Always start spraying just slightly away from your item. Smoothly but fairly quickly move the paint stream to your item, keeping it about 8 inches away.

Move back and forth in a smooth rapid motion, painting a light coat.

For multi-dimensional items, use short bursts of paint, always starting away from your item and finishing away from your item. It’s tempting to spray a heavy coat, but that will mean drips!

Step 3: More Coats

Continue painting coats after the previous coat has dried. (Check the can for drying times. Keep in mind the lighter the coat, the quicker the dry time.)

I typically spray paint a coat and go work on something else for a while.  Once the coat has dried, you can add another.  Do this until you have complete coverage.

With spray painting, I rarely use a top coat unless there’s a certain sheen I’m trying to achieve.  A top coat will add another layer of durability but generally spray paint holds up well on it’s own.

How to Paint Furniture with Oil-Based Paint

Oil-based paint is very durable because of its hard shell.  Its beautiful glossy finish adheres well to most surfaces.

Oil-based paint requires a chemical clean-up since it is not water-based and it takes a long time to dry. I would plan on 24 hours per coat of paint. Because of this I usually find myself opting for other paint types.

Step 1: Sand

Sanding before painting helps the paint adhere better.

Step 2: Clean

Give the piece a good cleaning. Use a damp rag to remove dust from sanding and any other dirt or grime. If needed, wash down the piece and use a cleaner like Simple Green.

Step 3: Prime

With oil-based paint, you must use an oil-based primer. It will take more time, but I always suggest priming.  It will be well worth your time and energy to have a piece that doesn’t chip or peel. One coat of primer is typically all you need.

Step 4: Paint

How the paint is applied will determine the look of the paint.  Use a foam roller for a smooth look and a brush for a more rustic look.

Step 5: Seal

Seal oil-based paint with an oil-based finish.

And there you have it! Five options for paint and a simple how to of each!

Here’s a handy table for you to compare and contrast the different paint types when choosing how to paint furniture:

BONUS: How to Paint Laminate Furniture

Laminate furniture is inexpensive and everywhere — typically pressed particle board covered in a thin layer of plastic that looks like wood grain or is a solid color. Yes, you can paint laminate furniture (even IKEA furniture)! BUT — you have to prep the surface right or the paint will peel right off. You can paint with any of the types of paint above *after* prepping.

• Sand the laminate surface with a fine-grit sandpaper (220 grit).
• Prime with a shellac-based primer.
• Paint with whichever type of paint you like — use the chart above for the pros and cons of each type.

DIY Painted Furniture FAQs

What kind of paint do you use on wood furniture?

You can use latex paint, chalk paint, spray paint, or oil-based paint on wood furniture. I don’t recommend milk paint over a previous finish. You can also use an all-in-one paint like this to paint over a stained wood furniture piece.

Can I paint over already painted furniture?

Yes! Repainting furniture is a great way to give it a new look. Paint with the same type of paint as previously used for best results, or use primer to ensure a good paint bond.

If the piece of furniture has already been painted several times or the existing paint is chipped or damaged, you’ll get a better finished result by removing the paint with this technique before repainting.

Can furniture be painted without sanding?

Yes, you can use chalk paint or this all-in-one paint without sanding or priming. With other types of paint, if you don’t sand before painting furniture, the paint won’t adhere to the surface and will peel or bubble.

What should I use to clean my surface before painting?

If the furniture is mostly clean already, a light-duty cleanser like vinegar or Simple Green is a good option. For a piece with more grime or oil on the surface, use a heavy-duty cleaner like TSP.

Is it better to paint furniture with a brush or roller? or to spray paint furniture?

Depending on the look you want, you may want to brush, roll, or spray paint your furniture. Use a foam roller for a smooth look and a brush for a more rustic look. For intricate details, a brush will enhance the texture and spray paint will provide a smooth finish.

More painting techniques and tips:

• How to Faux Stain Furniture Using Paint
• Best Painting Tips and Tricks
• Painting Furniture WITHOUT Sanding, Priming, or Sealing
• Modern Two-Tone Furniture Refinish

Please pin this for future reference!

Originally published 08.09.2017 // Updated 03.30.2021