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
How to Paint a Fabric Chair With Chalk Paint.
Vintage Tea Cart Makeover! (Amazing!)
Painted French Provincial Triple Dresser
Entertainment Center Becomes a Great Upcycled Entryway Bench!
Distressed Paris Grey Bar Stools
How to Paint a Leather Chair
Round Coffee Table Turns Into Tufted Ottoman
From Child's Roll Top Desk to Counter Potting Shed!
How to Build a Portable Slide-on Railing Bar Top / Counter
Old Maple Hutch Makeover
Giving a French Provincial Dining Set Some OOH LA LA
A Coffee Bar From an Old Dresser
Two-Toned Kitchen Cabinets Are the Best of Both Worlds
End Tables & Coffee Table Makeover
Blue & White Vintage China Cabinet
IKEA Rast Farmhouse Nightstand
$12.99 Goodwill Table Makeover-Memaw’s Way
From Awful to Awesome! Sofa Table Rescue Project Using Unicorn SPiT
DIY Weathered Wood Dresser
A Before and After Story: Upcycled Antique Vanity Nightstands
Turn a Dusty Cable Spool Into a Trendy Coffee Table
Ugly 60's-ish Coffee Table Makeover
Giving a 1942 Vanity Table a New Life
Refresh an Armoire With Overlays
Chair Turned to Stool!
Front Door Redo Using Faux Wood Grain Technique
Cabinet/Buffet/Sideboard Makeover From Boring to Traditionally Elegant
It's Ok to SPiT on the Table...
DIY Hand-painted Furniture!
Refresh Outside Plastic Furniture
Create The Perfect Farmhouse Table With A Painted Wood-Grain Effect
Damaged cane chair gets fabric makeover how to..pics
Art Deco Dresser Make Over Upcycling Furniture
How to Use Lace With Wood Icing® Textura Paste
Ugly Dresser Redone...scroll Work Gone!
How To Create a Faux Concrete Finish on Furniture
Curbside Table Rescue!
Updating a Nightstand With Milk Paint
The Great Cover Up-How to Hide Heart Cutouts
Wardrobe Makeover
Old Dresser Upcycle - Hunter Green + Brass
Remake of One Ugly Coffee Table Set
It's All in the Details
Repurposed Hutch Top Using Dixie Belle's Farmhouse Green
Stencil How To: A Rustic Cabinet Makeover With Modello(R) Stencils
How to Blend and Create Multiple Layers With a Roller
Real Looking Faux Marble Countertop Update
$25 Kitchen Island Update
Martha Washington Sewing Cabinet ~ Reloved
Turn a Plain TV Tray Into a Coffee Time Must-have!
Singer Sewing Machine Cabinet Makeover to Hall Table
French Country Toile Hutch!
Lane Cedar Chest With Raised Bondo Stencil
Transform Your Furniture With This Ombre Painting Technique
Pedestal Table With Weathered Finish