Ideas to paint my oak table and chairs

Carla
by Carla
I would like some ideas on how I might update my table and chairs with paint.
Veneer oak table and chairs
  16 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Apr 17, 2016
    Just my opinion I prefer natural wood over painted wood. So heres my thought,some pretty chair cushions and a tablecloth or placemats would do the trick for updating.
  • MN Mom MN Mom on Apr 17, 2016
    I'm not a big fan of painting wood but I do think this table and chairs would look updated if you painted out the table legs, chair legs and backs. Leave or even darken the stain of the table top and chair seats. You have a lot of wood tones going on...flooring, chairs, table. It would be nice to break it up. I'd go a creamy ivory. Here's an example of a table I did
  • To get an idea of what you like, go to Pinterest and search "painted oak dining table". plenty of combos of colors and wood tops.
  • Linda Brumbaugh Linda Brumbaugh on Apr 18, 2016
    Darken the top, then use Annie Sloan's chalk paint on everything else. Amazing results.
  • Gail Steltenpohl Gail Steltenpohl on Apr 18, 2016
    I agree I would find a table cloth of my dreams and seat covers to coordinate the color of the table cloth and buff up the wood and you would have a winner. Really it would depend on your likes. Country, elegant it is still a style with out all the painting
  • Trudy Trudy on Apr 18, 2016
    I am not a fan of painting wood either AND it will scratch off the seats and make your set look worn. If you are sick of the oak you could try General Finishes stain that will let you change the color of the wood without paint.
  • Elaine Elaine on Apr 19, 2016
    Is it my eyesight or are the table legs, etc. already painted! If it's a "no - & it's all that orange oak color" I agree with Beth H. (Diamond Bar, Ca.) look through Pinterest & Houzz - you'll see tons of ideas. Paula Deen furniture is gorgeous too - check out her painted pieces. The very first thing you have to decide (& only you can do this) is ask yourself - what kind of a look you want. Country? Perhaps a dressier form of Country, such as French Country then type in those styles in "Search". I personally love the look of part natural wood (such as wood tabletop) then the rest painted. If you go with the very popular chalk paint, varnish at the end to protect your hard work as much as possible. (Re colors: choose paint - if you paint - that blends with the adjoining rooms for a seamless look.). Good luck!
  • Dee B Dee B on Apr 19, 2016
    Find a complementary color you love for the table bottom and chairs. Make or purchase cushions with a very big bold print that has ar least one color from the paint shade you chose. Unless you really want more work and a darker wood table top, I would polish it and leave it alone.
  • Darrel Rose Darrel Rose on Apr 19, 2016
    Use that paint they call Unicorn Spit on it but would only paint the legs other colors on just the bottom of the table and the top of the table left as a wood grain is gorgeous, although I would never destroy an oak table with paint, you could always dress up the table with a cheery bright table runner and add flowers in a vase on top of the table to add color also add some color to the room this will make the table seem different and make it look new, I've done that it is surprising what color to the room or on top of the table can do, you can always check out Pinterest.com for ideas they have tons of painting ideas some are simply gorgeous You could even just add white or off white to the table legs only, beautiful !
  • Lee Lee on Apr 19, 2016
    The trend now seems to be painted legs and wood stain table top and wood stain chair seats and painted spindles and backs. I would visit a higher end furniture store and see what combo you prefer and do your interpretation. Be sure to post your finished set.
  • Stacey Stacey on Apr 22, 2016
    I painted my kitchen table and chairs with a homemade chalk paint recipe. The set was a yard sale purchase with honestly, not great value or antique, etc. so it didn't bother me to paint it. I used a recipe for chalk paint on pinterest. Worked great! sealed it with furniture wax from hardware store. Used yellow paint and it brightened my kitchen so much. Just depends on your personal style I guess. Have fun with it and don't be afraid of paint!
  • Debbie Debbie on Apr 22, 2016
    If you want something "over the top" check out the painted furniture at MacKenzie Childs. It is far too expensive for most of us to purchase, and perhaps a little too much for everyday, but some great ideas if you are creative and can adapt them.
  • Gail Gail on Apr 23, 2016
    My table has a formica top. Does anyone know if chalk paint will cover that as well as the wood base? Supposedly chalk paint does not have to be primed, but I am wondering if that would go for the laminate as well.
    • Stacey Stacey on Apr 25, 2016
      @Gail My table was formica too. I didn't sand it at all but I didn't seal it and it started chipping. I went back over it with the same homemade chalk paint and used furniture wax to seal it really well. So far, no more chipping.
  • Linda Linda on Apr 26, 2016
    I have the same set sort of except that the chairs are white, table legs white - had it for 20 years and have re-painted, but now I have changed my kitchen, I am going to paint chairs/table legs black, think it will look sharp! You have a good base with this set to do anything!
  • Cecilia Determan Cecilia Determan on Apr 29, 2016
    In regards to painting over formica...IF you accidently dripped paint on your table and it dried there for a week....would you be able to get it off? If so...don't try to paint formica. If you can't get it off.... go ahead and paint your Formica. ; )
  • Carla Carla on May 01, 2016
    Thanks for all the great ideas! I will post a photo when I finish it.