Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Style

How to paint wood furniture: A primer on painting

Julie Scagell
By

You can breathe new life into old furniture with just a little paint and some elbow grease. You don’t always need to buy new, especially if you have an antique piece or a personal one that’s been passed down from generation to generation. Odds are, all it needs is a facelift to transform it into a statement piece that elevates the overall design of your home. With this handy guide, you’ll be able to paint wood furniture and ensure that the finished product is exactly as you’d hoped.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

What materials do I need to paint furniture?

Before you dig into this project, make sure you have everything you need on hand. Nothing hinders your momentum like constantly taking breaks to head back out to your local hardware store. Here are the basics to get you started:

  • Primer
  • Paint of choice
  • Sandpaper or sander
  • Sanding block
  • Paintbrush or roller
  • Paint stirrer
  • Drop cloth
  • Sealant
Man's Hand Holding Sandpaper
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What do I need to prep before I paint?

It’s important to prep the piece of furniture before you begin to give yourself a smooth, clean surface. This will result in a more polished final project that looks professionally done.

  • Using soap and warm water, clean the piece of furniture thoroughly to get rid of any dirt or grease that may be on it.
  • Then, allow it to dry thoroughly and completely.
  • Next, sand it to get rid of any uneven areas, leftover paint, and imperfections. We recommend using 120-grit sandpaper for this part. For larger pieces, consider using an electric sander to save time and energy.
  • Once it’s completely sanded, wipe it down with a wet cloth to remove any lingering dust and debris.
Recommended Videos

What kind of paint do you use on wood furniture?

Satin or semigloss paint is the best for wood furniture since they’re easier to clean and hide imperfections better. Experts also recommend using either latex or oil-based paint and picking a primer of the same kind. Both varieties are available in thousands of colors, and the finishes are extremely durable. This means the finished product will hold up to the heavy use and wear and tear, a feature that is especially important for pieces like dining tables or desks. If you have any concerns, ask your local hardware store and they’ll help you pick out the perfect type.

Staining a wooden chair
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What is the best way to paint furniture?

Once the piece has been sanded, cleaned, and dried, you’re ready to prime. Before you begin, remove all the hardware and lay drop cloths on the floor to protect it from any paint drips or splatter. Be sure to paint in a well-ventilated room, and wear any necessary personal protective equipment, like gloves and an N-95 mask.

  • Use either a paint roller or brush to apply one even coat of primer over the entire piece.
  • Once the primer is dry, sand the piece again. This will ensure the paint absorbs and coats the furniture evenly.
  • Depending on the size of the piece, choose either a roller or paintbrush and spread the paint evenly over the entire surface.
  • Let it dry completely then add an additional layer. Depending on the color of the paint and the condition of the wooden piece, you may need 2-4 coats of paint.
  • Finally, if it is a piece you will be using a lot, like a dining or kitchen table, seal it to ensure it’s protected against water stains and food. The more time you can allow the paint to dry before sealing, the better. This ensures the piece is ready to absorb the sealant.

As long as you follow these steps, you’ll soon have a finished product you can be proud of.

Related

Painting wood furniture is a fun and easy way to give an entirely new look to an old piece of furniture. This is also a great opportunity to inject more personality into the space and get creative with the colors, patterns, and textures you choose. If you’re going for a more farmhouse feel, you may want to use neutrals like deep brown, ivory, or black with hints of navy and forest green. If it’s more retro, you can be a bit bolder with the color palette, opting for candy apple red and electric blue. To add a little decorative element, paint the insides a different color or even line it with patterned wallpaper. The sky is the limit when it comes to refinishing furniture, so if you have fun with the process, you’re sure to love the finished product.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Julie Scagell
Julie Scagell
Contributor
I am a freelance writer based in Minneapolis, MN. My passions include my dogs, talking about my dogs, and taking pictures of…
These Charlie Brown Christmas trees are your perfect holiday addition
The Charlie Brown Christmas tree is having a big comeback
Small spaces Christmas decor

If you're a fan of Charlie Brown, you've likely seen (more than once) A Charlie Brown Christmas. In it, Charlie gets mocked for finding a real tree for his centerpiece because of its short, puny, crooked branches and needles that seem to fall off without much effort.

Who knew all these years later that the Charlie Brown Christmas tree would become so popular with people of all ages? There's something to be said about the nostalgia this tree brings, and we're seeing it used as the main tree in the living room and in other rooms of the home, like the dining room, bedroom, and kids' rooms.

Read more
This is the easiest way to hang Christmas garland without damaging your walls
Decking your halls doesn’t have to mean damaging your walls
Red front door with winter wreath and garland

Sometimes, decking the halls comes with a caveat for many homeowners: hanging garland with screws and nails may damage your walls. And while stick-on hooks, putty, or wall tape are a go-to for many, these adhesives just don’t hold up heavy decorations for the entire winter season. So, today, we’re sharing a fantastic solution to hanging your Christmas garland this season from TikTok, which will protect your home while still allowing you to decorate as you like.

https://www.tiktok.com/@thekwendyhome/video/7296927492172975366?q=thekwendyhome&t=1699455884611
Use a shower rod
@thekwendyhome on TikTok shared her solution to decorating your entryways and archways with garland without drilling any holes or hooks into the walls. The solution? Use a shower rod.

Read more
What a hardwood contractor says your wood flooring says about you
According to a hardwood contractor, the species, stain, and cut of your wood floors can say a lot about you
bleached light wood flooring in an entryway

The home is a canvas for your personality, and your interiors should reflect your personal aesthetics. A professional hardwood contractor on TikTok, @lumberjackwoodsupply, says your wood flooring may reveal more about you than you might have thought. Here is what the species, color, and style of your wood flooring say about you (though, of course, some of these are a bit tongue-in-cheek).

https://www.tiktok.com/@lumberjackwoodsupply/video/7296136450888846623
What your wood flooring species says about you
Pine
If you have lighter, slim, natural pine floors, this TikToker says you likely fall into one of two categories. “You definitely have an appreciation for old things,” says @lumberjackwoodsupply. Alternatively, “you most likely own an old house that had these floors underneath.”
Walnut flooring
Walnut flooring is classy, elegant, and often sold at a steeper price. The hardwood contractor says homeowners with walnut flooring “have taste.”
Red oak
“There’s a good chance you didn’t choose to install this. It was just already in your house,” says this TikToker. But if you did choose to install red oak flooring, “you are either on a budget or you like to go against the status quo.”
Brazilian Cherry
“You probably live in an upscale but slightly outdated suburban home,” says the hardwood contractor. “There’s a good chance you hate the red.”
Maple
If you favor the sleek light wood tones of maple flooring to curate an airy and uplifting aesthetic, “You either live on the beach, or you want to look like you live on the beach,” says this TikToker.
Hickory
Hickory flooring is well-known for its boldness. It’s a unique wood with a quirky grain and various hues. If you have hickory flooring, “you like unique things,” says the hardwood contractor. “You want to be different.”

Read more