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
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How to Paint Fabric With Chalk Paint
Old Dresser Turned Into Modern TV Stand
French Provincial Dresser
How to Get an Elegant Floral Look on Furniture With Video Tutorial
Knock Off Pottery Barn Driftwood Gray Paint Finish
How To Paint Ombré Furniture
Entertainment Center Becomes a Great Upcycled Entryway Bench!
Hoosier Makeover
Ikea Lack Table Hack Using an Inlay Stencil
Repurposed Hutch Top Using Dixie Belle's Farmhouse Green
Upcycled Plastic Play Kitchen
Trash to Ottoman From Papasan Chair
70s Dresser Turns Masterpiece
Remake of One Ugly Coffee Table Set
How to Do a Sleek & Chic Nightstand Makeover in 7 Simple Steps
Old Metal File Cabinet Makeover
DIY Penny Top Table!
Turn a Cheap Cube Storage Shelf Into a Piece of Furniture!
How to: Chippy Paint Finish
How to Update /Upcycle a Metal Locker
DIY Wood Step Stool
Transforming an Ordinary Wood Bookcase With Milk Paint
Antique Side Table Chooses Life
DIY Round Farmhouse Coffee Table
Painted Furnture - Antique Cabinet Makeover
Paint An Old File Cabinet To Make A Large, Colorful Planter
1940's Cedar Chest Makeover Adventure With Colors! #SPiTchallenge
Console Table: Rosewood Goes Rose Gold
Particle Board Table Makeover
Lamp Makeover: How to Spray Paint a Brass Lamp
You're Painting It Green? Hutch Top Makeover.
A Different Spin on Repurposing Dressers
Wicker Rocker Resurrected
$12.99 Goodwill Table Makeover-Memaw’s Way
IKEA Rast Dresser Turned Apothecary Chest
Turn a Plain TV Tray Into a Coffee Time Must-have!
From Boring to BOHO Coffee Table
DIY Storage Dining Room Bench
Out-dated Coffee Table Turned Farmhouse Chic
Black Wash
Unicorn Spit Coffee Table
Never Fear Stripes Desk
DIY Sparkling Mermaid Lingerie Chest
Makeover on a Worn Oak Table to a Farmhouse Fresh Beauty
Chalk Painted Oak Pressed Back Chairs!
Chest of Drawers Makeover in ORANGE
Gorgeous Before and After: Refinished Dresser
Faux Wood & White Wash
Lego Table
"STAINED" Glass Dining !!! #UnicornSPiT
Card Table Makeover
Kitchen Island From Wall Cabinet