HOW TO PAINT IKEA FURNITURE LIKE A PRO ;)

by Medina at Grillo Designs

I love IKEA …..LOVE!! I mean, who doesn’t right? Most of their popular on-budget furniture pieces like the LACK, KALLAX, MALM, BILLY (sorry nerd alert!) have such huge potential for customization, its unreal!
THERES JUST ONE PROBLEM...
The laminate effect coating that each one of these furniture pieces have that can make painting super tricky. However do not worry! I am going to walk you through 5 steps that will make painting IKEA furniture a total breeze! I'm using an IKEA KALLAX as an example here

how to paint ikea furniture, how to, painted furniture

STEP ONE: SAND

In my opinion, the sanding process just helps to scuff and dull the plasticky (sorry if thats not even a legit word) surface a little, giving the primer something to grip on to.

p.s Oh and by the way...I've listed the EXACT PRODUCTS I like to use as well as where I LIKE TO BUY them from in my original tutorial on my blog. All you have to do is CLICK HERE TO GET ALL THESE JUICY DETAILS IN MORE DEPTH

Anywho, back to the tutorial .. ( sorry I have a habit of sidelining)

STEP 2: CLEAN

This step is so important! I usually dust off with a damp cloth and then give it a thorough clean with items mentioned in my original tutorial.

STEP 3 : PRIME

Always prime (this will help the paint to bond to the surface) and if its the laminate effect IKEA pieces you are painting, then it needs to be an oil based primer . NOTE: Oil paint primer needs to be applied in a WELL ventilated area as fumes are quite strong!

STEP 4: PAINT

Now that you have primed your surface like a pro - you can use just about any type of paint (latex, milk or chalk ) for your top coat. Personally I like to use latex (emulsion) paint as I find it more cost effective than chalk paint. I also love the easy coverage and application of it.

STEP FIVE: SEAL

This is, I think the most important part of the whole process.

Coat your newly painted surface with either a clear non-yellowing varnish (polyurethane) or a clear wax . If you plan on using your furniture in a high traffic area, then using a Varnish/polyurethane may work out better in the long run.

These are the brands I use here in the UK, but there are OTHERS (as mentioned in my original tutorial)

Wanna see how this IKEA KALLAX looked AFTER layers of paint? CLICK HERE TO SEE IT IN ALL ITS GLORY

Oh and I have a whole section on my blog dedicated to IKEA HACKS.... just click on the link below this to have a browse of all my IKEA projects

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3 comments

GAIL Blakely on Sep 22, 2016
It looks like a lot of work. Is there not any paint that will work on IKEA furniture? Gail

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- Medina at Grillo Designs on Sep 22, 2016
  Not sure but all the hard work pays off in the end :)
  
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Abigail Ellis on Dec 21, 2017

This is so helpful!!! I basically live in IKEA (in that my living room looks like an IKEA showroom), so I get the obsession

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