How to Refurbish Furniture With Paint

Have an old dresser, table, or chair that’s seen better days? A fresh coat of paint is the perfect opportunity to give it new life. You can paint anything from chairs to dressers or even tables! You can also buy a vintage piece that needs a little love for a project like this.

How do you refurbish your furniture with paint? Here are the steps so you can create a one-of-a-kind, professional-looking piece for your home.

Pick Your Paint

For projects like this, you can use leftover paint or pick a “punch” color that will call attention to the item. You can also try to antique the piece, using a variety of colors and techniques. Really, anything goes as long as you love the colors you are choosing.

When choosing your paint, try to use either semi-gloss or high-gloss 100% acrylic latex paint. These finishes hold up to handling and are easy to wipe clean. Plan on doing at least two coats, so make sure you have enough paint to cover your entire piece of furniture.

Select Your Piece and Prep

You can paint almost any piece in your home, from dressers to tables, chairs, mirrors, and desks. You can also buy a new or vintage piece to spruce up with a fresh coat of paint. A lot of these pieces look even better when treated with paint and touched up with a bit of color. This can also help you create a matching set of furniture for a bedroom or living room, and if you’re updating the whole room, it helps to know whether to paint or pick your furniture first.

Clean It

First, remove any hardware so you can paint without worrying about messing it up. You should also remove any drawers (if it has them) so you can paint them separately. Next, wipe down and clean the piece, especially if it was a garage sale find or a piece that has been sitting in storage. Oil soap is a great cleaning solution. Let it dry completely before moving on.

Sandpaper Is Key

It is very important to sand your piece before painting. If the surface is glossy in any way, sanding is crucial; otherwise, the paint will not stick. Sanding will also help remove any leftover dirt or grime. You don’t have to sand down to bare wood, just enough to dull the surface so the paint can grip it.

Prime It

Wait until your piece is free of dust and dry after cleaning. You can use leftover primer from a bigger paint project, or look into an oil-based primer, which is great for blocking stains and wood tannins. A 100% acrylic latex primer works well too. Primer conceals stains and helps your finish look better over time.

After the primer dries, sand it lightly with fine-grit sandpaper. It will look more professional if you sand lightly between every coat.

Paint It

Here comes the fun part! Use a mini foam roller for flat surfaces and a small brush for edges and details, applying thin, even coats. Wait at least six to eight hours between coats, or follow the drying time on the label. Prefer a smoother, factory-like finish? A paint sprayer can deliver it, but it requires more masking and a well-ventilated space.

Sand Again

Sand lightly between coats for the most professional look, repeating as many times as needed. Then remove dust or pet hair with a tack cloth. It is crucial to remove every remnant before protecting your piece, because clear protectants will seal in even the smallest bit of dirt or fuzz.

Protect It

Last but not least, protect your piece with polyurethane or furniture wax. If you choose wax, the wipe-on kind is the easiest to work with. A water-based polyurethane is the better choice over white or light colors, since oil-based formulas can yellow over time.

A protective topcoat helps your piece last longer and makes cleaning easier. Wait 24 hours after your last coat of paint before applying it. Once you’re done, wait at least a day or two before using or touching the piece so the finish can fully cure.

Enjoy It!

After it dries completely, reinstall the hardware and place your beautiful refurbished piece in your home!

Painting Furniture in Arizona: A Few Extra Tips

Arizona heat can work against you. Paint dries too fast in high temperatures, which leads to brush marks and lap lines. Work indoors or in the shade, avoid painting in a hot garage during summer afternoons, and check the temperature range on your paint can before you start.

Furniture Painting FAQs

Can you paint over finished or varnished wood?

Yes. Clean the piece, scuff sand the finish until it’s dull, and use a quality bonding primer so the paint has something to grip. Skipping the sanding or primer is the most common reason paint peels on finished furniture.

How do you paint a dresser that isn’t real wood?

Many dressers are made of laminate or veneer over particleboard. Lightly scuff sand without cutting through the laminate, then use a bonding primer made for slick surfaces before painting. Avoid heavy sanding and water-heavy cleaners, which can damage particleboard.

What paint should you use on outdoor furniture?

Use an exterior-grade acrylic paint rated for sun and weather exposure, and start with a solid wood or metal piece in good condition. In Arizona’s UV, expect outdoor pieces to need touch-ups sooner than indoor furniture.

Do you need to sand furniture before painting?

In most cases, yes. A light scuff sand gives the primer and paint something to hold onto. Some specialty paints advertise no sanding, but a quick sand still improves durability.

Now that you know how to refurbish a piece of furniture with paint, you have a technique you can use again and again. Thinking bigger than one piece? Our team can transform your kitchen with professional cabinet painting or refresh entire rooms with interior painting. Get a free quote today!