How to Paint Furniture

Considering your first furniture painting project and don't know where to start? If you're a beginner, or even a seasoned DIY-er, we have the articles, videos, tutorials, and discussions to get you started. Here's what you need to know about painting everything from tables to dressers and nightstands to chairs. You got this.

Updating Furniture With Paint
Prep the furniture
Clean the piece with solution and a rag, and remove any hardware including drawers and doors.
Make sure to protect yourself
Stripping furniture, using a power sander and even paint can be harmful, which is why heavy duty gloves and protective eyewear are a must.
Strip and sand your piece
In some cases, furniture will need to be stripped before anything is done. In all cases, furniture should be lightly sanded.
Paint with your desired color
Layer thin coats of paint on the furniture, allowing it to dry in between each coat to prevent uneven surfaces.
Protecting your furniture
Use a polyurethane varnish as the final coat to protect the finished piece, enabling the new paint to last longer.
Top DIY Furniture Painting Projects

Here are our top furniture paint projects, submitted by our very own Hometalk users.

Popular Furniture Painting Slideshows
Furniture Painting Videos

Looking for step-by-step DIY video tutorials on how to paint furniture? Here you go.

How to Build a Bench in 60 Seconds - Cheater Method

Ok...SPOILER ALERT... so, this bench isn't 100% done. But, the initial assembly is around 44 seconds with the cups on the floor. I realized belatedly that I shouldn't have started with the cups already spaced out so let's call it a minute instead. All the pieces that I am using, come, as is, and ready to go in Lowes/Home Depot, Target and the craft stores. There is absolutely no cutting involved in building this bench. I used 2 stair treads, 2 crates and 6 heavy duty plastic storage cups. Could it be any more simple than that? As soon as I paint and stain it and decide what must be permanently attached, I will update this tutorial. For now this is just an idea that was too good to wait to share with all of you!For new ways to update this look, see http://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/furniture/how-to-take-a-simple-bench-to-a-whole-new-level-28485487OKAY!!!! The lumber dept guys at Home Depot took the time to analyze my bench and give me their opinions of how sturdy it is and how much weight it will support. The following is how I interpreted their analysis. They said up / down weight is not the issue. The stair treads on top of the wood crates supported like my picture would hold a great deal of weight. Possibly, even as much as 800 lbs to 900 lbs. Stair treads are specifically made to withstand a great deal of weight. They told me the boards are not going to break. The weakest part of this bench is when there is side to side movement aka horsin' around. Two adults scooting back and forth side to side is when it would be at its weakest point. To make this super strong, they suggested lag bolts for a secure hold. I think wood screws and wood glue will probably support most people's general use of this bench but go to the experts if you need more advice!! Stay tuned for a new bench entirely made from Home Depot items. Not sponsored by them in any way... just was there and I have wanted to make another bench for a while now.

I Painted an Upholstered Chair!

Have you ever painted upholstery? I have seen lots of videos of people converting the look of fabric-covered furniture into pieces that look like leather! They claim that the fabric actually feels like leather - or at least faux leather. Some of the people use chalk paint then wax while others use latex or acrylic paint and add fabric softener or fabric medium to the paint. While I've considered giving this technique a try, I was not willing to test it on a piece of furniture that I use all the time at home.

DIY How to Build a Kitchen Nook

Hey everyone! In this How to I am going to show you a few ways to save money when building a kitchen nook. a lot of money actually because these few tips allow you to only need half the material. hope you enjoy it!Another thing. this is a LARGE project BUT its actually quite simple. Don't let the size of the build scare you. its really just straight cuts and building a rectangle, i promise! plus most hardware stores will do you big (or all) cuts to help if your solo or don't have a table saw!

Grab a Shower Curtain for This Gorgeous Table Flip!

I had an old table that needed a little love - it needed a coat of paint, but I decided not to stop there! Check out the video for more how-to's!

New Furniture Painting Projects

Want some new ideas for painting your furniture? Get trend-setting inspiration here.

Browse Furniture Painting Projects
How to Paint Wicker Furniture to Give It a New Look
How to Refinish a Dresser With Stain or Paint
Somewhere Over Our Rainbow
Veneer Vs. REAL WOOD Dresser Upcycle!
Upcycled TV Trays - I Had No Idea on the Family Fun They'd Become!
Restyled French Cane Chair
Taking Facebook Marketplace Finds to French Country Chic
Chic Secretary Desk Makeover
How I Made My Upholstered Monogrammed Headboard
A New Take on a French Provincial Dresser
French Custom Multi Purpose Bench
Repurposed Plant Stand and Updated Patio Furniture
DIY: Painting Leather With Velvet Finishes
Old Dresser Turned Into Modern TV Stand
Wild Horses With SK
Refinishing Particle Board/ Panel Wood
Ugly 60's-ish Coffee Table Makeover
Shades of Blue-Unicorn SPiT Cabinet Makeover
Repurposed Television Armoire Cabinet
Updating A Vintage Round Accent Table Using Paint And Resin Appliques
How to Update /Upcycle a Metal Locker
You want a fancy French daybed? Well, lets make one!
3 Simple and Stylish DIY Dresser Painting Ideas
DIY Weathered Wood Dresser
How I Turned an Ugly Dining Chair Into a Beautiful Victorian Piece!
Round Coffee Table Turns Into Tufted Ottoman
DIY Wood Step Stool
Hutch Makeover With Chalk Paint
Distressed Paris Grey Bar Stools
Farmhouse Vintage Dresser
From Sewing Machine Cabinet to Charming Vanity
Transforming an Ordinary Wood Bookcase With Milk Paint
A Coffee Bar From an Old Dresser
Painted Chair With Unicorn Spit
Plain Old Brown Jacobean Buffet to Beautiful Buffet
Ugly Metal Vintage Desk Makeover
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Gorgeous Before and After: Refinished Dresser
How To Make A Lego Cabinet/Dresser
How to Refinish a Vintage Desk--BEFORE and AFTER
How to Make Over Furniture Using Saltwash Paint Additive
DIY Sparkling Mermaid Lingerie Chest
How To Paint Upholstery
From Dump to Divine With Unicorn SPiT
Stencil An Outdoor Bench With Chalk Paint (R)
DIY Marble Countertops
Turn a Plain TV Tray Into a Coffee Time Must-have!
Wicker Rocker Resurrected
Refresh an Armoire With Overlays
Old Secretary Desk Gets New Life
Hoosier Makeover
Create The Perfect Farmhouse Table With A Painted Wood-Grain Effect
Farmhouse Bar Stool Makeover
Old Chipboard Armoire is Totally Transformed!
Painting a Front Walk
TV Cart Update