Decorated furniture painted
15 painted furniture designs to try |
(Image credit: Future)
It's at this time of year that painted furniture ideas really come into their own. Many of us are looking for quick and easy ways to transform our homes, to freshen them up for the year ahead.
And with inventive paint ideas, you can achieve quite dramatic results with ease and, at the same time, create a cohesive scheme, link different rooms and even continue the theme, pattern or color scheme of the painted furniture ideas through to other pieces, fixtures and fittings.
Painted furniture ideas
Painted furniture ideas might be limited in our minds to upcycling old pieces of furniture to give them a new life. But they are so much more than that – encompassing everything from single, freestanding items, to built-in units, to painted kitchen cabinet ideas.
1. Be adventurous with chalk painted furniture ideas
(Image credit: Annie Sloan)
You can create an extraordinarily unique look with painted furniture ideas. Need inspiration for standout hallway paint ideas? Look to color and paint expert Annie Sloan , who uses chalk painted furniture ideas as a defining feature of her work.
'This room was painted entirely in Chalk Paint® to suggest the iconic English living museum of art and design which is Charleston Farmhouse ,' she says. 'Around Charleston, you’ll notice repeat graphic shapes, botanical motifs, and lots and lots of color.
'The artists living there liked to emphasize the character of the furniture and the rooms they were working with; here you’ll notice the Burgundy outlining on the beautiful crenellations of the table, and the thick borders on the wall panelling which are both effective, easy design quirks you can easily use in your home. For best results, use the shape of the brush to dictate the design of the pattern.'
2. Give antique furniture a contemporary lift
(Image credit: Annie Sloan)
Painting antique furniture can feel like committing a sin, but they payback can be well worth taking the plunge.
Here, a period console has been given a bold new lease of life by Annie Sloan with a modern finish reminiscent of antique Chinese furniture.
'My Chalk Paint™ is one paint that can be used in so many different ways. You can create washes of color, thick and textured paint, layered colors, or a smooth modern finish. There are so many different looks and techniques – you can really achieve anything you like! I created my paint to be flexible and to do all the things I liked about other paints,' says Annie Sloan.
3. Paint furniture to bring character to utility spaces
(Image credit: Future/Carolyn Barber)
Choosing a bold, toning color scheme for painting furniture in spaces seldom seen by guests – mudrooms and laundry rooms, for example – can make these utility areas feel elevated, and more part of the main house, rather than separate spaces.
'A mudroom should include practical storage solutions, such as shelves and coat hooks,' says Emma Sims Hilditch of design agency Sims Hilditch .
'But that does mean that the walls, where we might normally hang art, are taken up, leaving little space to give the room character.'
This can be remedied by painting both fitted and freestanding furniture in a characterful color that will not just hide dirt and scuffs more easily than white would, but that might also create a visual link to the room it's adjoining, likely the kitchen.
4. Paint vintage furniture for a cohesive look
(Image credit: Devol)
If you are looking to create a rustic kitchen ideas that are created from freestanding furniture from disparate sources and even periods, you can conjure up a cohesive, more uniform look with the clever use of paint. Here, freestanding kitchen cabinets and a plate rack have simply but cleverly been visually linked with kitchen colour ideas to match.
'You needn't pick exactly the same color for different pieces of painted furniture,' says Homes & Gardens' Editor in Chief Lucy Searle. 'Simply choosing differing tones of the same color can create a more layered look.
If you are applying this technique to a kitchen, it is always more space-enhancing to put the darker tone on the base units, and the lighter shade on the wall cabinets.'
5. Use painted furniture to cheat a freestanding look
(Image credit: Neptune)
If you love the idea of a freestanding painted kitchen – perhaps you've been browsing Shaker kitchen ideas – but want to make the most of every inch of space in a really practical way, there is a great compromise that can be achieved, in part with paint.
Fitted kitchens that have freestanding-look fronts like this one can be given even more of a freestanding look by differing the choice of paint colors on the different pieces of furniture – as in the kitchen above. Just as we advised above about base cabinetry being painted a darker tone than wall cabinetry, so the rule applies that a kitchen island looks better in a slightly more stand-out tone than the boundary cabinetry. It's not a hard-and-fast rule, but it does work brilliantly.
Knowing how to paint kitchen cabinets like a professional is key to a smart finish, with an expert always giving you the best results.
6. Part-paint furniture to show off displays of accessories
(Image credit: Future/Jon Day)
'Simply painting the interior of a display cabinet in a color that works to showcase the display of objets, favorite finds or even just everyday china, can have a transformative effect,' says Homes & Gardens' Editorial Director Sarah Spiteri.
'Here, the blue chosen tones with the most dominant of the accent colors in this space, but there's no reason not to pick a second accent color to add more interest to the scheme.'
7. Upcycle pre-loved furniture with paint
(Image credit: Neptune)
If there's a color you really want to introduce to your scheme, one way to do so is via painted furniture. And while you might look to buy a new piece, it's far more environmentally-friendly to upcycle a piece you already own, or which someone else is happily parting with.
And because you're using paint, you can be more experimental. Don't love that deep purple you've chosen for that chest of drawers? Let the paint dry and start over.
8. Create contrast with painted furniture ideas
(Image credit: Future/Jon Day)
If you are considering really stand-out dining room color schemes, you can introduce contrast with painted furniture.
'We chose this extraordinary hand-painted wallcovering design by Fromental for one of our decorating shoots and wanted to add an element of surprise to the dining room set with an unexpected accent color,' says Emma Thomas, Homes & Gardens' Decorating Editor. 'We felt this pale blue on the table pedestal and dining chair, plus the salmon pink were perfect opposites for the deeper, bolder colors on the wall. This same effect could be achieved with painted furniture ideas.'
9. Paint wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling furniture
(Image credit: Future/Paul Massey)
In a room that has wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling furniture, it's worth giving it a painted treatment with real impact.
Here, a home library has fitted shelves painted in a red gloss, with walls adjacent painted in the same high-sheen finish.
'This brings real contemporary style to an otherwise traditionally styled room, but ensure any walls you paint with a high-shine finish are perfectly flat, otherwise lumps and bumps will show,' says Homes & Gardens' Digital Editor Jennifer Ebert.
10. Mimic the look of folk-art painted furniture
(Image credit: Sarah Hollister Jessick at Surrey Lane Home)
Folk art has come back into our consciousnesses thanks, in part, to the pandemic and a craving for the 'good old days'. And it's a look that can be easily mimicked.
This piece was painted by Sara Hollister-Jessick from Surrey Lane Home with a base of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old Violet, and a dry brush of Provence in the center, with Pure around the edges. A top coat of Oxford Navy was applied, then Sara distressed the piece to reveal the layers beneath and give a rustic feel.
'I would encourage everybody to look to their local charity shops or online marketplaces with an open and creative eye, rather than purchasing brand new,' says Annie Sloan. 'There’s a much greater sense of satisfaction in making your house a home in this way.'
11. Let painted furniture inspire a color scheme
(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)
Fitted cabinetry is a ready-made canvas for color. Start with one-coat chalk paint for an easy makeover. More confident? Try satin or matte.
'Paint cabinetry a bold color and style your room around it,' Helen Shaw, director at Benjamin Moore. Earthy colors inspired by nature create a warm look all year around – the perfect living room paint ideas for spaces small or large, north- or south-facing.
12. Paint a bed to add depth to a bedroom scheme
(Image credit: Polly Wreford/Sally Denning)
So often we choose neutral-colored or natural materials for beds, when they are a wonderful opportunity for adding an extra splash of interest with adventurous bedroom color ideas.
'Here, a contemporary four-poster bed in a gentle pea green by Shaker of Malvern is lifted by the ochre tones of the canopy, quilt, cushions and lampshade,' says Homes & Gardens' Decorating Editor of this bedroom created for us by stylist Sally Denning .
13. Take paint beyond furniture for a cohesive look
(Image credit: Annie Sloan)
Paint is the perfect medium to bring unique character, add personality and even introduce an element of humor to a home. Painted furniture ideas can inspire the look of the rest of the room, too, as in this bedroom where the colors on the chest have found their way on to the wall, bed frame and even lampshade.
'A gentle, muted palette evokes a sense of calm and restfulness,' says Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director, Little Greene .
14. Update children's rooms with painted furniture ideas
(Image credit: Annie Sloan)
Children's rooms tend to take on a new look more often than adult bedrooms purely because they – and their tastes – change so quickly and intensely over a short period of time.
'This is where kids' room paint ideas can really come into their own,' says Homes & Gardens' Editor in Chief Lucy Searle. 'Of course, you can repaint or wallpaper the walls, but choosing a white backdrop and repainting the furniture again (and again) can make for an easier approach. Plus, of course, you can have more fun with designs on smaller areas, such as wardrobes, while creating enormous impact.
In this project, Annie Sloan painter in residence Beau Ford took a characterless old wooden wardrobe and transformed it in to a fun, colourful statement piece using Barcelona Orange and Pure Chalk Paints, creating a peachy-orange colour.
'One thing I love to do is to put a bold color on the inside of a piece that is painted in quite a neutral color on the outside. It’s a good way of introducing color if you’re not confident with it,' says Annie. 'I love creating patterns with my stencils – you can layer up a design with a few different stencil designs or create a pattern with one.
'
15. Update plain bathrooms by painting furniture
(Image credit: Maestri Studio/Nathan Shroder)
We often play it safe with bathroom color schemes, choosing neutrals, whites, perhaps blues, all of which look clean, practical – but unadventurous. If you have done this, perhaps bolder bathroom paint ideas can give you an update that ticks all the color boxes – but is easily reversible – are the answer?
Here, a bold green-painted vanity brings a strong dash of color into a bathroom designed by Maestri Studio . Matched with black and the retro wallpaper, it creates a characterful look that's perfect for a family bathroom, powder room or half bathroom.
What kind of paint is best for painting furniture?
The best kind of paint for painting furniture is one that is designed for the job. This means avoiding matte paint created for painting walls and instead looking for paint that is suitable for painting wood, metal and perhaps even plastic. These paints might come in different finishes – from Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint to home improvement stores' range of satin, semi- and gloss finishes.
When you are planning painted furniture ideas, it's vital to consider the preparation needed – and this will really depend on the paint you use, so check the tin; many will require sanding and priming, others might suggest painting straight on to clean, dry surfaces.
How do you paint furniture to give it a professional finish?
To get a professional finish when painting furniture, begin with thorough preparation. If the top coat you are using suggests using a primer, it is best to sand the furniture to create a key, vacuum and wipe off all the sanding dust, prime the furniture, allowing it to dry and then applying the top coat. If the paint you are using does not need a top coat, a light sanding, thorough dust-removal and application of top coat will be all that's needed.
However, the key to a really professional finish is the application of the paint. Spray painting can give you the neatest finish on pieces of furniture with intricate curves; flat-surfaced furniture, such as kitchen door fronts, are best removed, laid flat and painted with a small sponge roller; if you are looking to create an antiqued look or to paint stencils or freehand designs, choose soft brushes that are designed for the job.
Lucy Searle has written about interiors, property and gardens since 1990, working her way around the interiors departments of women's magazines before switching to interiors-only titles in the mid-nineties. She was Associate Editor on Ideal Home, and Launch Editor of 4Homes magazine, before moving into digital in 2007, launching Channel 4's flagship website, Channel4.com/4homes. In 2018, Lucy took on the role of Global Editor in Chief for Realhomes.com, taking the site from a small magazine add-on to a global success. She was asked to repeat that success at Homes & Gardens, where she has also taken on the editorship of the magazine.
17 Best Painted Furniture Ideas
As a design trend, painted furniture shows no signs of slowing down. With the wide range of textures and finishes and limitless color choices, there’s a look to suit just about any décor style. So if you’re ready for a fun, creatively satisfying project, why not give an old piece a new attitude with a fresh coat of paint.
Here you’ll find DIY ideas for furniture made of wood, metal, and plastic, so before you grab that brush (or spray can), click through for inspiration, helpful how-tos, and links to complete tutorials.
Use Chalk Paint
Courtesy Salvaged InspirationA big part of the DIY painted furniture craze has to do with chalk paint. It’s easy to use, adheres well to a host of surfaces with an appealing matte finish, and works great with other mediums (such as glaze and stain) as well as stencils and transfers for truly unique looks.
Try Milk Paint
Similar to chalk paint in results but with a slightly different formulation, milk paint is also popular with crafters (in fact, you can mix up your own). To create the cool distressed patina on this dresser, use a scraper on the almost-dry surface to add dings and chips; you can also place tape on near-dry milk paint and then peel it off for a stripped effect.
Paint Upholstered Furniture
Courtesy Artsy VaVaGot an upholstered chair with a fussy pattern? Paint can provide a modern monochrome transformation.
The trick is to mist the upholstery well with water to help paint adhere. Be sure to wiggle into all the nooks and crannies with a small brush, and sand lightly between coats. It will take at least three coats to fully conceal the pattern, and more if going from a dark shade to light.
Try the “Pour-on” Method
Courtesy Jami Ray VintageThis dazzling design recalls the spin-art creations made at carnivals back in the day. An entire piece done with the “pour-on” method would be too busy, but it’s just right on drawer fronts. The secret is to give the paint a runny consistency, with water, topcoat, or thinner. Simply drizzle on loosened paint randomly, then move the drawer in all directions to spread and swirl. Repeat with two or more colors.
Paint Metal, Plastic, and Fiberboard
Courtesy Rose ClearfieldJust because you’ve got work to do doesn’t mean the décor must be seriously drab. Redo a metal filing cabinet, adding tapered legs and new hardware in a glitzy hue, and your home office may become your new happy place.
Check out the This Old House primer for painting metal—and other surfaces you thought you couldn’t take a brush to!
Color Wash Furniture
Though you appreciate the warmth of wood, you may wish to liven it up a bit—especially on a large, potentially stodgy piece like an armoire or hutch. Try this cool color wash technique, great on raw wood as well stained surfaces. Chalk paint is thinned with water and brushed on, then wiped off. The beauty of the grain will show through the subtle color.
Achieve a Boat-Wood Effect
Daniel HennessyFurniture crafted from the wood of salvaged fishing boats inspired this four-color paint technique. You’ll brush on a base coat in one shade, then layer on others and scrape or sand to get the desired effect when the paint is 90 percent dry. The rustic results are ideal for small pieces like this end table or perhaps a trunk.
Memphis Style Furniture Painting
It’s ba-a-a-ck! The flashy colors and asymmetrical shapes of the Memphis Milano movement have resurged.
So grab a few hot hues—neon pink, acid green, bright primaries—and transform a staid sideboard or dressing table into a piece that screams Eighties. Draw your design in chalk first—or dare to go freehand!
Create Faux Marble Furniture Surfaces
A natural stone tabletop is elegant—but heavy and expensive. To fake it, pick paint colors that mimic real marble, white, and a few shades of gray. Brush on a coat of white, then use a cotton rag or sock to dab and swirl the other shades while the first coat is still slightly wet.
Paint Wrought Iron Furniture
An iron bed frame can be a contrary piece. Thin spindles and airy curves have a delicate quality, but black is a bit bleak, particularly in a bedroom with a feminine feel. Lighten things up with water-based acrylic paint—a fast-drying, low-fume formula that will resist cracking and chips once cured. Clean the iron really well first (tip: use trisodium phosphate). Since you may not wish to move the heavy frame from the bedroom, be extra conscientious about protecting the floor from splatters with a drop cloth.
Decoupage Furniture
Enhance the most pedestrian pieces with decoupage: the art of combining paint techniques with colored paper cutouts. These days, you can cheat by buying ready-to-use decorative paper made for this technique. See the how-to for transforming a once-blah bookshelf with teal chalk paint and beautiful butterflies arranged on the inside for stealth style.
Create a weathered paint look
Daniel HennessyFashion instant “antiques” like this worn-to-wow bench with three colors and a scraper. Finish with wax or, if your piece will sit outside, hemp oil (wax won’t hold up to the elements well). Chalk paint and milk paint both work equally well for this project.
Paint Plastic Outdoor Furniture
Plastic outdoor furniture that’s seen better days needn’t become landfill fodder. The material is fairly porous, so the right paint will adhere well—just first ensure that surfaces are squeaky clean and smooth.
For long-lasting, chip-resistant results, opt for Rust-Oleum Paint for Plastic. The oil-based formula affords good coverage without primer, and the glossy finish is perfect for plastic. For a similar product on a budget, go with Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch Multi-Purpose Spray Paint.
Paint Picture Frames
To create an impressive gallery wall, paint a collection of different size and style frames in the same shade. A single color lends cohesion and helps draw the eye from one picture to the next. Remove the backing, glass, and artwork from the frames, sand lightly, and wipe clean to prep. This is a great way to use up leftover latex paint from a previous project.
Spray Paint Wood Furniture
If the wooden spindle chairs in your dining space need a makeover, but poking around all those slender pieces with a brush seems daunting, reach for spray paint instead. With the right technique, it will go on more smoothly and evenly—not to mention faster—than you’d manage with a brush.
For a durable, long-lasting finish, use enamel, a hard-drying formula ideal for furniture, trim, and cabinets.
DIY Distressed Furniture
Courtesy Petticoat JunktionKids will be kids—and that can be hard on their bedroom furniture. So treating their wooden bedframes to a deliberately distressed effect makes a lot of sense! Paint, then sand or scrape in random spots, and finish with wax.
Paint Furniture to Match Decor
Meg ReinhardtMake a style statement with an accent wall and a piece of furniture in the same hue. Among the year’s most popular interior paint colors are saffron, plum, aqua, and pale apricot (a wonderful and gender-neutral choice for a nursery).
≡ ➤ Light pink furniture for a girl's children's room ⋆ ⋆ Mamka™ furniture factory ᐈ Children's space expert
Gentle children's room for a girl who will feel like a princess. Furniture for the girl is made in white and light pink, which are ubiquitous in the design.
Elements of classic style can be seen in the color palette, lighting and decorative tassels that adorn the door handles. The large room is divided by a partition separating the sleeping area from the others.
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Storage system with a cosmetic table
480 368 ₽
more designer furniture is attached to the partition, consisting of shelving, cabinets, an arched mirror and a dressing table. Open shelves with built-in lighting. The dressing table has a soft pouffe with mint upholstery.
Children's bed in a niche with a canopy photo 2×
Bedside table
74,960 ₽
More details
To the left of the partition there is a children's bed with a gray upholstered side. You can retire and hide from everyone behind pink curtains. Instead of the usual pickup, hugging bears were used to hold draped curtains. Above the bed are 2 sconces and a painting of mountain mist illuminated by moonlight.
Cabinet with soft seat and wall panelTV-zone in the children's room There is a seating area between a bookcase with a dressing table and a window.
The wall is decorated with a pink soft panel with hexagons. There are wall lamps and a white cabinet with 3 compartments and a soft mint seat.
Opposite the bed is a TV set and a laundry basket next to a tall wardrobe.
Desk with side shelving photo 1×
Work area
475 189 ₽
More details
Under the window furniture for a children's room from shelving and a desk with 7 drawers. Under the table top there are 4 drawers with metal handles decorated with tassels, and on the side there are drawers without handles. On both sides shelving with lighting. Near the table is a mint chair with gold metal legs.
A desk with side racks photo 2 -platform cabinet in a classic style for a children's photo 1×
Cabinet
492 067 ₽
Read more
9000 ×Partial
85 267 ₽
Read more large wardrobe with hinged doors and shelves. The facades are painted white and pink, the door handles are decorated with pink tassels.
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Storage system
313 636 ₽
Details
In the center is a classic carob chandelier with faceted crystals.
*The cost of furniture is indicated at the time of project implementation
Convenient zoning photo 1 Convenient zoning photo 2 When choosing furniture for a teenager's children's room, the designers decided that the room would be used for study and recreation. The bedroom is provided separately. The interior is decorated in pastel colors with brown and red...
Workplace and sports corner × Storage system 1 663 898 ₽ More details × Work area 236 779 ₽ More details × Shelving 1 108 739 ₽ More details
Furniture for photo storage 1 × Mirror 99 032 ₽ More Furniture for photo storage 2 × Storage system 790 444 ₽ More Details A real princess always has a lot of things, so the furniture in a girl's nursery is designed for their convenience...
Place for games and recreation photo 1 × Mirror 145 063 ₽ More The daily routine of an eight-year-old child provides for obligatory passive daytime rest.
To do this, the furniture in the girl's children's bedroom includes a chic upholstered armchair decorated with "hare ears" on...
≡ ➤ Design of a small children's room for a girl with an interior in pink tones ⋆ Mamka™ furniture factory ᐈ Children's space expert
Several techniques were used in the project to visually expand the space and rationally use the free space. Functional designer furniture is installed along the walls. Opposite the window there is a large wall mirror that reflects sunlight and visually lengthens the room.
Children's bed with upholstered panels photo 1Children's bed with upholstered panels photo 2Get rid of visual noise by using the same colors in the design, furniture, textiles and decor. The walls, along with decorative moldings, are painted in a light pink color, the shades of which are found on the blanket, curtains and carpet.
Upholstered furniture is decorated with green textured upholstery, and cabinet furniture is painted white.
On the right wall there is a children's bed with a figured headboard and a side wall made of upholstered panels. With the bed made, the bed turns into a sofa where the girl can relax during the day. The wall is decorated with pictures of animals.
There is a storage area, a study area and a TV area against the left wall. Furniture for a children's room with the author's design made it possible to combine functionally different zones. There is a white high cabinet with two side racks. The door handles are decorated with decorative tassels, and the open shelves are equipped with LED lighting.
Educational and TV-zone in the nurseryBetween the window and the bookcase there is a white desk with drawers and a stylish chair with a rounded back. There is a TV above the table top.
Wall bar and bean bag chair To the right of the entrance there is a sports and play area. Between the bed and the wall mirror there is a Swedish wall with gymnastic rings.
