Images of painted furniture
15 Stunning Painted Furniture (Before and After) Makeovers
DIY Vintage Painted Furniture TransformationsIf you need some inspiration for your next furniture makeover, check out these painted furniture before and after reveals which also include step-by-step tutorials and a video!
With all the different ideas online for furniture makeovers, it’s hard to know what style to choose or which products won’t cost an arm and a leg. In this post, I’m sharing my best tips for not only the right color and look but also the right process for a beautiful and long-lasting finish. (Don’t forget to download my free furniture painting cheat sheet here!)
Furniture transformations mean so much more to me than just slapping a coat of paint on an antique. Not only do I love sharing instructions on how to prep and paint furniture to provide a flawless and durable finish, but the process itself is so relaxing and enjoyable for me. Sometimes I joke that furniture painting is just as effective as therapy (but cheaper!) and I’d love to show you why!
These curbside rejects often remind me of how far I’ve come in my own restoration process and my true source of transformation. Here are my best ideas for giving antique furniture a modern makeover while sharing my absolute favorite aspect of DIY furniture makeovers.
LET ME SHOW YOU:
- Stunning furniture reveals to inspire your own unique transformations!
- How to get a beautiful and durable finish easily without the high cost of chalk paint
- Tips for picking the best paint color for furniture
- The benefits of using paint as a faux stain on painted or previously-stained furniture
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More than a couple of years ago, I returned to college a little early after Christmas break during my sophomore year at Texas A&M. I was the only one at our little rental house that weekend out of my 6 roommates. At the time, I was pretty down about something – probably a boy, a roommate issue, or one of a myriad of possible problems that college girls deal with on a day-to-day basis.
An elderly couple owned the house and all of its outdated furniture. I looked around the living room that day and saw the coffee table which looked as awful as I felt. I found some creamy white latex in one of the closets, put an old sheet on the floor, and decided to start painting.
I remember being amazed at how something so simple could be so enjoyable. Before I knew it my bad mood was melting away with every brushstroke of paint on the old coffee table.
What was previously a surface of chippy brown laminate was now a beautiful clean slate. Suddenly, I felt the same way about the new semester.
I didn’t realize how therapeutic and peaceful painting furniture could be or the joy I could experience by giving a piece of furniture new life. Little did I know, that the coffee table was one of many furniture pieces I would paint and this blog is an attempt to document those makeovers as well as the transformation the Lord is doing in my own life daily.
Renovated Faith: What’s in a Name?God never leaves a project half-done…He continually works on each one of us, as a lavish expression of His amazing love and grace. So many of my DIY projects remind me of how God renovates our hearts. If you are a work-in-progress, just like I am, check out the Renovate Your Faith Devotional at the bottom of this post. Click here to get a weekly reminder of new posts by email.
Painted Furniture: Before and After Transformations:
I’ve had the opportunity to refinish lots of furniture pieces through the years but with this post, I’ve tried to narrow them down to my absolute favorite reveals and I can’t wait for you to see them! (To see ALL of my furniture makeovers, you can click here: Project Gallery)
Tips for Painting Bedroom Furniture: Before and After Transformations
I often get questions about ideas for painting bedroom furniture which includes dressers, headboards, side tables, and vanities. A couple of the pieces below have lots of sentimental value because they were my grandparents’. I was happy to get them from my uncle who drove them in a U-Haul from New Mexico to College Station, Tx. (Don’t forget to download my free furniture painting cheat sheet at the end of this post!)
Painted Dressers: Before and AfterAntique dressers are so easy to come by! You can find them anywhere like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or your local resale shop.
Just make sure to check all the drawers on the dresser before you bring it home to make sure they are in good working order.
This painted dresser is one of my favorite furniture pieces in our home because it belonged to my grandmother, Cornelia Moseley. She used it every morning to put her makeup on. I wanted it to be a sophisticated dark blue without being too flashy so I picked Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy. I love that it is such a pretty navy and has a gray undertone while still being a true blue. Needless to say, Hale Navy did not disappoint!
Navy Antique Dresser Makeover – See the full tutorial here.What I love most about this dresser are the intricate designs on each drawer. My mom told me she would run her fingers through the scrollwork when she was a little girl. I also love the long turned legs with wooden wheels. They definitely add lots of style to such a beautiful piece.
My grandmother was a seamstress and I remember she had a big box of rolls and rolls of intricate lace. She would often make dresses and hem lace on the bottom edge.
For that reason, I added a lace detail to the inside of each drawer so that I can remember her every time I open this navy painted dresser. Because the wood drawers weren’t very smooth, I did a lot of experimenting and was able to find a way to stencil on any wood surface without bleedthrough: The Easy Way to Stencil on Wood
How to Stencil on Wood Perfectly Every TimePainted Furniture Ideas: Dresser Painted with Chalk Paint AlternativeOne of the first furniture makeovers I included on the blog was this antique dresser where I showed how to get the look of chalk paint and wax with a much cheaper and more durable alternative. The results were great and the process is easier than chalk paint! (A Better Alternative to Chalk Paint)
This dresser doesn’t require the maintenance that is needed with waxed furniture pieces and the finish is more durable.
To hear more about why I stopped using chalk paint and this transformation, click here: Why I Stopped Using Chalk Paint on Furniture
I included this coastal blue dresser makeover because of the backstory. In the post, you can hear about how a frog in my shoe caused me to be late to meet my husband and the owner of the piece here: Coastal Dresser Makeover with Driftwood Top
BEFORE of Coastal Dresser Makeover – See the full tutorial here.So why is having a frog in my shoe relevant? I was running late to meet Jeremy at the storage facility where the dresser was located. Therefore, he had loaded it before I saw it and I didn’t get to do my usual 4-point inspection.
Coastal Blue Dresser Makeover with Driftwood Top – See the full tutorial here.When we unloaded the dresser, I realized that it reeked of cigarette smoke, old lady air freshener, and some other …organic smell.
It REEKED! Also, there was a massive chip in one of the drawers that I had no idea how to fix.
I would have never bought the dresser if I’d known about the damage and smell, but there it was, stinking up my garage. Fortunately, I learned some new skills in refinishing this piece and wrote blog posts on them here: How to Get Musty, Moldy Smells Out of Old Furniture and here How to Fix Damaged Furniture for Refinishing
Easy Driftwood Finish for Furniture – See the full tutorial here.This is the first furniture piece where I used a faux finish to get the look of wood. You can read more about my driftwood finish here and more faux stain shades here: How to Faux Stain Wood With Paint
Furniture Redo Ideas: Side TablesAfter painting numerous furniture pieces, I have found some time-saving tricks and also learned from mistakes along the way. I have included all of these tips in my Must-Have Furniture Painting Cheat Sheet.
You can get it for free by filling out the form at the bottom of this post. Now, on to side tables!
This is one of my simplest transformations that still had the biggest impact. Sometimes all you need for a dramatic transformation is the right color of paint. This beautiful shade of Dovetail Gray accented the marble tops of these beautiful side tables.
BEFORE of Marble Side Table Makeover – See the full tutorial here.Most of my posts have a Renovate Your Faith section where I share a little about how God is transforming me. In this post, I share not only the full end table restoration but also share some encouragement if you find yourself stuck in the comparison trap: How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others (Marble Side Table Makeover)
Marble Side Table Reveal – See the full tutorial here.Two-Tone End Tables (Painted Wooden Furniture Makeover)My mother-in-law had the idea to restore the stain on the drawers of Jeremy’s grandma’s old side tables while painting the rest navy.
I’m so pleased with the results and am thankful she had such a great idea!
You can see the full transformation and also how to fix damaged furniture here: A Beginner’s Guide to Fixing Furniture Damage
If you need help on installing new hardware or filling old hardware holes, click here: How to Install Handles and Knobs on Furniture and Cabinets
How to Fix Damaged Wood Furniture – See the full tutorial here.Painted Antique Furniture: Vintage Vanity MakeoverProbably my favorite furniture restoration to date is this vintage vanity makeover. It was initially intended for my grandmother to use but my grandfather actually used it more. He would put his wallet and keys in the top right drawer. I sit at this vanity every morning to put my makeup on but I use the top right drawer only to store some things that belonged to him.
BEFORE of Vintage Vanity – See the full post on how to refinish furniture here.
You can see the entire process from start to finish in this post: A Beginner’s Guide to Painting Furniture It is one of my favorite transformations not only because of the dramatic transformation but the sentimental memories behind this piece.
A Beginner’s Guide to Furniture Painting – See the full tutorial here.More Painted Bedroom Furniture IdeasFor more pictures of painted bedroom furniture, you can check out my project gallery here: Painted Furniture by Renovated Faith
Painted Dining Room Furniture (Before and After)
I recently refinished the top of my breakfast table as it had a lot of water damage from cold glasses, because, well…we live here. I used my Dark Walnut faux stain to match the chairs and I love how it turned out. You can see this shade and 5 others here: How to Faux Stain Furniture with Paint
How to Faux Stain Furniture With Paint (6 Shades to Choose From)Easy Faux Raw Wood Finish For Any Surface
One of the biggest trends in furniture today is a bleached raw wood finish.
These furniture pieces are stunning but the look is hard to come by without the use of furniture stripper and bleach. But this tutorial will show you how to get the same look on any surface (the console is white laminate) with just paint!
After a long, hard day, I was driving home one night and was nearly home when I saw a dark, eerie figure on the road-side. I slowed down to see what it was and could see in my rearview mirror it was an old hutch or china cabinet. Even though it was dark and I was overtired, turned around to see what shape it was actually in.
To my dismay, it was a huge antique china cabinet. It was old and dirty but the glass panes and shelves were nicely wrapped in newspaper and laid inside.
On it was a sign that said, “FREE, Please Take!” So, I did! I loved refinishing it and decided to paint the inside Behr’s Sonata Blue so that my china would stand out more.
This china cabinet is such a special piece of furniture. The reason I had such a rough day when I first saw it was because my mom had just started chemo for breast cancer. She just recently hit her 5-year mark and is now a breast cancer survivor!
This piece is such a reminder of how God can transform any situation for His glory – no matter how bad it looks at the time. You can see the complete makeover here: White China Cabinet Transformation
White and Sonata Blue China Cabinet – See the full tutorial here.Dining Table Before And After: Raw Wood Finish (coming soon)Painted Chairs Before and After (coming soon)Before and After Pictures of Painted Furniture: Rolltop Desk Restoration
I always shied away from roll-top desks because I wasn’t sure if I could refinish the tambour (the rolly part).
Fortunately, after some trial and error, I found a way to refinish it with white latex and gel stain. I even added some tiny drawers on the inside. You can see the full transformation here: Rolltop Desk Makeover
As I write this post, I’m sitting at my upcycled desk that I made from two Ikea cabinets and an old door. I added a thick piece of glass to the top and it has been the best desk, giving me plenty of room to sprawl out and lots of storage drawers. You can see the full transformation here: How to Make a Desk Out of A Door You can also see my best tips for painting IKEA furniture in this post: What To Know Before Painting IKEA Furniture
☑️ MY ALL-TIME BEST FURNITURE PAINTING TIPS (FREE PRINTABLE)
Want to transform a furniture piece but don’t know where to begin? Download the FREE step-by-step printable checklist that shows you the exact process I’ve used on dozens of furniture pieces while saving you time and money! And it costs you nothing.
#confetti toss Click here to access your checklist now: FREE Must-Have Painting Checklist
Painting Laminate Furniture
Have you ever walked into a used furniture store and saw a great piece to refinish only to realize that it was laminate? Painting laminate furniture can be tricky if you don’t include one simple step. In this post, I show you all you need to know on how to paint and stain laminate easily: How to Paint and Stain Laminate Furniture (with Video Tutorial)
How To Update A Wire Shelf Unit to Look Like DIY Industrial Pipe Shelves
We all these chrome wire shelf units somewhere in our home or garage. They hold a lot of weight and come in lots of versatile sizes but they aren’t much to look at. With a few easy updates, you can transform your own wire shelf rack into a low-cost industrial style shelf you can be proud of: DIY Industrial Shelves (Wire Shelving Hack) You can also see how I transformed it into a DIY grow light stand: DIY Grow Light Shelves
Here is the before photo.
How to Make Painted Furniture Pinterest-WorthyHow Do You Paint Furniture?There’s more than one way to paint furniture but I’ve had the BEST results with latex paint as long as you keep a few specific tips in mind. Several other options today are chalk paint, milk paint, and General Finishes furniture paint. I have tried them all and have found the easiest and most flexible option is a process involving latex paint. Because the same paint is often used for cabinets, it ensures a beautiful but durable finish every time in almost any color imaginable: A Beginner’s Guide to Painting Furniture
What About Chalk Painted Furniture?What is chalk painted furniture? Whether you use Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, Rustoleum chalk paint or any similar products, chalk paint is known for it’s matte, chalky finish. The additives that give it this chalky finish help it to stick to furniture in some cases but the finish isn’t durable long-term and other options will give you fewer brush strokes.
For a side by side comparison of some of the most popular paint options for furniture today, click here: Chalk Paint vs. Milk Paint vs. Latex
If you want a cheap, easy, and lasting way to paint furniture while achieving the same farmhouse look of chalk paint, be sure to check out the link below. I feel like there are a few misconceptions about chalk paint and when family antiques are at stake, I think it’s worth explaining why it’s not always the best or easiest way to refinish furniture. Here are the reasons I stopped using chalk paint: 7 Reasons I No Longer Use Chalk Paint on Furniture: A Better Alternative.
Can Painted Furniture Be Stained?To stain painted furniture with a traditional stain, you usually have to completely strip off the old stain with a chemical stripper which is pretty messy. Another option is to sand off the existing paint. HOWEVER, I know of a process that allows you to faux stain using latex paint.
You can simply paint over the existing surface without stripping or sanding off the old finish. See the full tutorial here: How to Faux Stain with Latex Paint (6 Shades to Choose From)
After I blind-tested and reviewed 24 furniture paints, I recommend Benjamin Moore Advance. You can see the full results for each paint brand here: The Absolute Best Paint for Furniture
Can Wall Paint Be Used On Furniture?Wall paint can be used on furniture but not all wall paint is created equally. The term “latex paint” can cover lots of different grades of water-based paints. My favorite paints for furniture that also can be used for walls are Sherwin Williams ProClasssic and Behr Marquee (at Home Depot). Lowe’s also has a line of Sherwin Williams paints that I’ve had good results with.
How Do You Paint Over Painted Wood Furniture?Before you repaint painted furniture, you want to very lightly sand the surface.
I know that I probably just lost your interest when I said the “s” word. But remember, you don’t need to sand off the old paint layer. Instead, you are just going over the surface with sandpaper or a mouse sander to slightly rough it up so it accepts a new layer of paint. You can see how I do that in this post: How To Sand Furniture in Less Than 5 Minutes
After painting furniture, you want to add some kind of protective finish. I wasn’t sure what to seal painted furniture with as there are so many options of topcoats. But on high-use pieces like dining tables or coffee tables, it’s important to know what to put on painted furniture to protect it. So, I did a little experimenting and placed cold drinking glasses of water on top of samples of different clear coats overnight. In terms of durability and also the finish, Varathane’s Waterbased Polyurethane came out on top in every test (Best Clear Coat for Furniture).
Even if you chalk paint furniture, I recommend using a clear coat like the one I mentioned above instead of wax. Applying wax is time-consuming and there is also a special technique that requires a specific brush. But a clear coat is easy to brush on in the direction of the grain to seal your furniture piece. If you use latex paint, you don’t need any kind of protective coating unless it is a well-used furniture piece that needs added protection. Chalk paint however always needs some sort of sealant.
When to Wax Painted FurnitureFurniture wax needs to be maintained. In other words, it will have to be repeated every 6 months to retain the durability of the wax.
When To Seal Painted Furniture with a Clear CoatPieces painted with latex don’t need an additional topcoat unless they will be used quite a bit like a kitchen table or coffee table. A clear coat can be brushed on in several layers whenever the piece is painted.
There is not long-term maintenance with a top coat – brush it on and you’re done! See a video on how to add a top coat here: Best Clear Coats for Furniture
Painted furniture is classic and while color trends stage, painted furniture is a staple in home decor. One of the biggest trends in furniture right now is a raw wood or Restoration Hardware-style finish. Right now I’m working on a faux stain that will give you a raw wood finish with paint – no stripping or bleaching required! That post will be out in a couple of weeks.
How to Paint Furniture White – See the Full Tutorial HERECan You Mix Painted Furniture With Wood Furniture?When it comes to mixing styles of furniture, feel free to mix wood furniture and painted furniture as long as the painted furniture works with the colors of the room.
The one thing you don’t want is for every piece of furniture in your room to exactly match. You do want furniture pieces to coordinate but matching bedroom sets are a thing of the past.
Updating your existing painted furniture to have a modern look can be as simple as changing the hardware or adding more modern legs. You can check different options for knobs and handles here to give you some ideas. Also, a different shade of paint can do wonders to modernize your furniture.
RENOVATE YOUR FAITH: The Author of Transformation
Whether a vanity, rolltop desk, or even marble side tables, there are a couple of things they all have in common. Yes, they are all inexpensive furniture makeovers but, I also see a lot of my own journey in these DIY furniture transformations.
Whenever I rescue a piece of furniture from the side of a road or old storage facility, I can’t help but think about how God also rescued and saved me.
Often these pieces are broken down, painted an odd color, or are just plain outdated. Often, they smell and are covered in spider webs. But no matter how dingy or damaged a piece is, I like to wonder about its history and imagine what it could one day become…
In John 4, we see Jesus making his way from Judea to Galilee. The shortest route was through Samaria but many Jews would take an alternate, much longer route to avoid being around Samaritans.
The Jews saw Samaritans as perpetually unclean and religious compromisers. Many Jews had such disdain and hatred for them that when Jesus’ enemies wanted to insult Him, they called Him a “Samaritan”. On that same day, a Samaritan woman went to a well in Samaria to get water.
Jesus approached her. It was rare for Samaritan women to come to the well that time of day and culturally unacceptable for a woman to be alone in public.
Scholars believe that perhaps she was seen as rejected in her community and knew others wanted to avoid her.
But Jesus does just the opposite. In those days, Jews were prohibited from speaking to strangers, to women, and always to Samaritans. She already had three strikes against her.
Also, she had a very questionable past…
But despite the cultural requirements that surrounded Him, Jesus sought her out. He purposely came through Samaria and went to the well, not to get water but to give this one woman the only thing that could satisfy her thirst.
As they began to talk, Jesus described to her the living water that can only come through knowing the Father. At the time, the women thought he meant physical water but the Lord doesn’t seek to only heal us physically but also spiritually.
Our greatest need is not just on the surface.
When God reaches out to pull us from our brokenness and despair, He doesn’t just bandage our wounds, but he makes us fully whole.
Jesus knew her story…every ugly detail. He knew she had lived a life of impropriety with several men but He still sought her out as one of His own.
Like recovering a broken piece of furniture from a trash heap, Jesus sought her out. In the same way, Jesus pulls us from our state of despair. He fixes our hurts, sands our rough spots, and makes us whole again.
But he doesn’t just make us a new version of our old selves. Instead, he makes over our hearts, giving us the opportunity and capability to be who we were always created to be.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
Our Savior seeks us out. He chases us down. And despite our failures and shame, He will never ever leave one of His sheep behind.
He actively seeks us out to give us new life in Him.
If you are struggling with feelings of rejection and shame, know that your heavenly Father loves you more than you can possibly comprehend. He wants you to take His hand and trust in Him, the only one that can give us what we truly need.
As someone who has struggled with feelings of rejection, know that there is one person who will never reject you. No matter your failures, no matter your struggles or your past, He will never let go of your hand.
So many of the furniture pieces I’ve refinished should have been thrown in the trash a long time ago. They weren’t worth my time, my effort and they cost me more than I could ever get in return.
Thankfully, regardless of what we may deserve or who has rejected us in the past, the only one who should have rejected us didn’t. In Him, we can have new life and purpose, if we trust in Him.
If you are wanting more information about a relationship with Jesus Christ, please don’t hesitate to contact me at Karin@renovatedfaith.
com.
If you want a fabulous resource on rejection and shame, you have to listen to podcast number 12 from Journeywomen. She is one of the podcasters I listed in my post-Best Christian Podcasts for Women and the information in this episode was life-changing for me!
For more spiritual encouragement, click here for the rest of my project posts that also include Renovate Your Faith devotionals.
☑️ My All-Time Best Furniture Painting Tips & Tricks (FREE PRINTABLE)
Don’t forget to download the FREE step-by-step printable checklist that shows you the exact process I’ve used on dozens of furniture pieces while saving you time and money!
FAQ’s: Painted Furniture Ideas (Before and After Makeovers)Can You Whitewash Painted Furniture?To whitewash furniture, simply add water to white latex paint in a 1:1 mixture. Brush some of the paint mixture on one surface of your furniture piece.
Then, wipe off the paint mixture in long strokes with a moist rag in the direction of the grain. Keep wiping off until you get the look you want.
If you aren’t interested in painting your furniture piece, there are lots of talented furniture painters around the country that can help you out. The best way to find them is by doing a Facebook search based on location. If you have a gift shop that sells painted furniture, they are bound to know of someone to assist you.
What Painted Wood Furniture Sheet Looks Best?Stain or matte (flat) sheens are most popular now. Satin is slightly shinier than matte but also satin paints tend to be a little more durable.
Can Chalk Painted Furniture Be Used Outside?Chalk painted furniture can be used outside as long as it is protected with an exterior clear coat. I suggest Spar Urethane. Be sure to add several coats to give your furniture piece maximum protection.
Do not wax the furniture piece before applying the clear coat.
You can always sell painted furniture on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist for a quick sale. However, if you want to maximize your profit for painted furniture, check into local craft malls where you could set up a booth. You can also check with local gift stores. Often, they will allow you to put your painted furniture pieces in their shop with a for sale tag. They can use your furniture piece to display their merchandise while also getting your furniture in front of potential buyers.
Whimsical Painted Furniture (Decorating Furniture with Paint)
For ideas on how you can add whimsical details to furniture, my favorite source of ideas is Miss Mustard Seed. She has an incredible knack for adding intricate details on furniture without it looking too busy. She is truly an artist and her tutorials can be found here: Miss Mustard Seed
More Posts Related to Painted Furniture Pictures and TutorialsA Beginner’s Guide to Furniture Painting (Vintage Vanity Reveal)The Absolute Best Furniture Paint (24 Brands Blind Tested and Reviewed)
Why I Stopped Using Chalk Paint on FurnitureThe Best Clear Coat for FurnitureHow to Faux Stain with Paint (6 Shades to Choose From)7 Tips for Painting Furniture WhiteHow To Build a Farmhouse Table with Pocket Holes (A Beginner’s Guide!)
41 of the Best Gifts for Christian Women
Easy Curb Appeal on A Budget
RELATED LINKS: Before and After Pictures of Painted Furniture- Renovated Faith on Pinterest: Painted Furniture Inspiration
- Chalk Painted Furniture: Before and After
- Upcycled Furniture Ideas: Before and After
- Before and After Shabby Chic Furniture
- Spray Painted Furniture: Before and After
- Milk Paint Furniture: Before and After
- Painted Furniture Ideas: Modern Farmhouse
- Funky Hand Painted Furniture Ideas (Crazy Painted Furniture Trends)
Don’t forget to download my Free Furniture Painting Cheat Sheet.
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There are so many ways to paint furniture but hopefully, this post explained what has worked well for me to get stunning and long-lasting results every single time! With these tips and tricks, you can have a beautifully painted piece of furniture in no time. You might even find yourself enjoying the therapeutic benefits of furniture painting like I do.
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Best Tips for Painted Furniture: YouTube VideoKarin Peters
Welcome to Renovated Faith, where I share about DIY projects, my faith and everything in between! When I’m not spending time with my family, you will find me redoing furniture in the garage or watering plants in my greenhouse. This blog is about transformation. Anyone can renovate a house but only God can transform our hearts!
22 inspiring ways to refresh tired furniture |
(Image credit: Future / Wicklewood / Sarah Vanrenen)
Painted furniture ideas are becoming increasingly popular as we seek to make our homes stand out from the crowd. Whether you choose a single color, a folksy freehand design or a simple border, painting furniture is an easy way to transform a bland piece into a showstopping focal point.
It’s also a great way to decorate sustainably. With more and more of us looking to minimize our impact on the environment, paint ideas are a quick and easy way to refresh a dated or unwanted piece helping extend its use.
When it comes to painting furniture there are no rules, throw caution to the wind and feel free to express yourself – to help get you in the creative mood we’ve rounded up an array of ideas and expert tips.
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.
(Image credit: Future/Jon Day)
For a fun bedroom paint idea that would create a wonderful talking point why not take inspiration from the Bloomsbury set and paint a cabin bed in a colorful Folksy design? A wonderful example of decorating with pattern, this handpainted bed by Tess Newell features a series of circles and naive flower and leaf shapes – all common motifs that can be found on the painted surfaces of Charleston Farmhouse.
2. Customize a cabinet
(Image credit: Jody Stewart)
Practical spaces like utility rooms or connecting spaces like hallways are wonderful spaces to add a playful piece of painted furniture.
This vintage 1950s cabinet has been given a new lease of life with custom paintwork with tones that cleverly carry through to the tiles in the adjoining room.
3. Add bring rustic charm with an antique painted piece
(Image credit: Malcolm Menzies)
Chipped and worn painted antique pieces boast character inimitable with modern pieces and are perfect for bringing texture and character to period homes. With its aged patina and delicate botanical designs, this vintage dresser found on Ebay is the perfect addition to this country kitchen. However, when decorating with antiques don't be afraid to mix old with new, a rustic piece can look wonderful in a modern home.
4. Paint a fireplace
(Image credit: Alun CAllendar)
For fabric designer and block printer Molly Mahon painting furniture is a wonderful way to indulge in her love of pattern and color. When it comes to decorating she urges people to follow their instincts and to not overthink things.
'Being bold has enabled me to decorate in a way that reflects the true personality of my family to create a home where we all feel able to create, reflect, relax and grow,' says Molly Mahon . 'I followed my heart to do what feels right for our house – whether that means painting the fireplace, embellishing a cupboard door, or printing fabric for my living room curtains.'
After a year or so of looking at her dreary grey fireplace Molly Mahon decided to paint the surround to create a fun focal point in her colorful living room.
'It has lifted up the space, I feel proud of it now, when it’s not lit it’s still cheery. I wasn’t thinking too much ahead about it. Decorate in the moment; if you find something you love make a place for it, you never know what’s round the corner and the main thing is to make your home as joyful as you can today.'
5. Embrace Greco-Roman style
(Image credit: Casa Gusto)
Featuring friezes inspired by classic designs, this Villa Kerylos Chest from Casa Gusto is a great way to bring subtle pattern into a living room, or it could make a fabulous bedside table.
6. Brighten up small rooms or dark corners with a hand-painted mirror
(Image credit: Wicklewood x Natasha Hulse)
If you're cautious about painting large pieces of furniture then start small with a mirror frame or lampshade base. Taking inspiration from Folksy designs like the antique chest below them, these beautifully painted mirrors by Natasha Hulse, available at Wicklewood , are perfect for brightening up a bathroom or cloakroom.
7. Bring fun to kids' rooms
(Image credit: Future)
When it comes to kids' room ideas, sourcing secondhand furniture is a wonderful way to add character without breaking the bank. Enhance the look with your own touches, such as painting an old chest of drawers with jolly stripes.
8. Turn heads in a hallway
(Image credit: Vanrenen GW Designs)
As the space guests first see hallways make a great place to make an impact and showcase your personal style. For an eye-catching look team a patterned wallpaper with a console in a contrasting color.
Sarah Vanrenen's Augustus table in red looks spectacular in this traditional hallway, but you could easily create your own statement piece with a lick of paint.
9. 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.'
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.'
13. 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.
14. 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.'
15. 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.
16. 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.'
17. 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.
18. 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.'
19. 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.
20. 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 .
21. 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 .
22. 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.
'
23. 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.
Is painted furniture still fashionable?
The wonderful thing about painted furniture is that it never goes out of fashion. If you paint a piece in a bold color but change your mind, it's easy to sand down and change with a fresh coat. The technique is wonderfully versatile and can be used to create all sorts of looks.
Currently we're seeing a trend for naive, folksy designs inspired by antique furniture and the work of the Bloomsbury group.
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.
Painted wooden furniture in the interior: photos and design ideas
Yulia Balabanova
Universal journalist, loves art and sees it in everything
Painted antique wooden furniture is by no means something that should be kept only in museums. Wardrobes, cupboards, sideboards, chests, supplies instantly give a modern interior a cheerful folk flavor.
The simple surface of the cabinet in the hands of the old masters turned into a true masterpiece of naive art, popular print and even high art. And the motives of the painting were so diverse - intricate ornaments, plants, flowers, images of people, animals and fairy-tale characters - that they can be considered endlessly. Depicting pictures of the Garden of Eden on everyday objects, a person, as it were, touched the feeling of paradise on earth and filled his house with it. nine0003
Let's show in the selection what a modern interior looks like when original objects of decorative art appear in it.
Painting with flowers and flowerpots symbolizes the wish for marital happiness. pinterest Not only cabinets and sideboards, but also painted tables look elegant and festive in the interior. Coffee table in the living room of Leonid Parfenov's country house. Photo: Vika Bogorodskaya The image of a lion is one of the most popular motifs in folk arts and crafts around the world. It is especially surprising how often the image of a lion is found in the Russian North, where it came from the East. Permgorod painting. pinterest Symbolizing power and protection, in naive folk art, the lion could acquire the most unexpected features - dogs, cats and humans. pinterest Richly decorated with flower-painted Spanish wardrobe from the Antonio Laura Reina collection, which contains striking examples of decorative Central European furniture. pinterest 18th century Swedish chest with picturesque dating on the lid.
pinterest Birds of paradise - Sirin, Alkonost, Gamayun - is another common symbol in Russian painting. In the images of birds, the artists depicted the souls of the dead. The dove on the side wing of the hanging closet is a symbol of fertility. Olonets painting, Russian Museum. pinterest Traditional Swedish painted dresser, mirror, table, chairs, wardrobe. pinterest Even one piece of authentic rustic furniture can give a modern interior a unique touch. What can we say about their combination in one space! The living room in the house of Leonid Parfenov is filled with painted sideboards, tables, and supplies. Photo: Vika Bogorodskaya nine0003 Antique chest of drawers restored painted. Antique furniture
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This particular chest of drawers has been sold, in the presence of a similar chest of drawers we can restore and paint to order.Antique chest of drawers, the lower part of the sideboard, was made in Hungary in the fifties of the last century from solid beech, carved elements from walnut. The chest of drawers has been restored, painted, aged, the color of painting according to your desire can be any, the carving elements are gilded, the doors are painted with oil paints. The gilding and painting are artificially aged. Restoration work was carried out by the artist-restorer, my husband Andrey Zolotukhin. The author of the mural is a friend of our family, artist-painter Gennady Gorshkov.
