Unique painted furniture ideas
22 inspiring ways to refresh tired furniture |
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(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.
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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.
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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.
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).
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.
An 18th-century Swedish buffet with expressive architectural elements and contrasting paintings in a modern interior. pinterest The country house of Leonid Parfyonov has a rich collection of Vologda furniture and utensils from the late 19th - early 20th centuries.
The owner sought to fill the space with things made by the peasants of the North and reminiscent of his small homeland. Photo: Vika Bogorodskaya Eastern European folk style with pastoral scenes and flower inserts is a frequent subject in applied art and, in particular, cabinet painting, starting from the 16th-18th centuries. Transferred to a modern interior, such furniture will give it a unique character. pinterest Bright herbal patterns in the painting of a 17th century Russian candle cabinet can inspire the decoration of modern wooden furniture like a chest of drawers and a chest. pinterest Fragment of a wedding chest from 19th century Transylvania. 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 nine0002 On the cover: an 18th century Tyrolean wardrobe and chest in a modern interior. Pinterest Yuliya Balabanova
Universal journalist, loves art and sees it in everything
See similar topics
A good way to decorate, renovate or give a certain style to the furnishings is to paint furniture. From any, even the oldest interior items, you can create a unique work of art. Everything is limited only by imagination and patience. nineOl000 and ruler
Which furniture is better to use
Of course, there are no restrictions on the choice of items.
The main factor determining suitability is the material. For the implementation of the plan, old furniture made of wood is better suited. This is precisely its value relative to modern products made from chipboard and fiberboard. “Sawdust furniture” is definitely not suitable.
Wooden surface is easier to work with. Old paint or varnish can be easily removed, various defects (chips, cracks) can be removed or left to give the effect of "aging". In addition, most of the ways of applying drawings are designed specifically for wood. Any pattern or ornament looks good under varnish on a wood texture. Suitable furniture, covered with natural veneer. An example of this is an old wardrobe or chest of drawers made of multilayer veneered plywood. After removing the old varnish or paint, the surface is primed, painted in the desired color and a pattern is applied. nine0003
But furniture made from modern materials should not be crossed off the list. Acrylic-coated MDF facades can be painted in any style after some preparation.
Acrylic coating is a layer of paint that is polished after drying. This type of coating is often used in the manufacture of facades of kitchen sets.
Modern paints and varnishes allow them to be applied over various coatings. There are also paints designed for painting glass without special preparation. nine0003
Popular painting options
The most common option is a simple decorative painting of furniture. Basically, this is the application of small elements, ornaments or repeating patterns. For a simple drawing, paint of the same color is used, and to simplify the process, templates or stencils are used for painting. This type of decoration is suitable for modern furniture. Gilding is widespread. This type of painting is typical for interiors in classical styles. Figured elements of furniture decoration are decorated under gold. nine0003
Artistic painting is a more complex option.
This is a rather painstaking work, all stages of the kora are performed manually, including the smallest details. Painting on furniture can be in the form of a pattern or a small fragment, as well as a complex three-dimensional pattern. Author's works are especially appreciated.
A separate place is occupied by the production of semi-antique interior items. This also includes the restoration of old furniture. Various painting techniques and styles are used in the work. Surfaces and trim elements are subjected to "aging" in various ways. Antiques are very popular among wealthy people and collectors. Usually this type of decoration is made to order. nine0003
Tools and materials required The basis for the coating is a primer. It must be designed for woodworking. Acrylic-based primer does a good job.
Any latex or acrylic paint will work for the top coat. The surface is better to make matte. Gloss doesn't always look good.
A good option would be paint in an aerosol can. This will allow you to apply it in an even layer. nine0003
Art paints
Acrylic paints are often used for furniture painting. They are well suited for drawing various patterns. You can also use oil mixtures. Their traditional purpose is painting.
Lacquer
It acts as a protective coating. It is possible to use alkyd or acrylic varnish for furniture. Also, like paint, it can be matte or glossy. Applying a layer of varnish over the drawing is the final stage of work. nine0003
Paint brushes and roller
A roller may be needed to apply primer and paint over a large area. With curly elements, a wide brush will help to cope.
Drawing brushes, pencil, paper and ruler
Draw fine patterns and lines with fine art brushes. For acrylic paint, it is better to use brushes with synthetic bristles. It won't stick.
Oil paint will require a brush with natural bristles. nine0003
A simple pencil, paper and ruler are useful for sketching and marking the surface for drawing. In addition, you may need to make templates or stencils for painting.
Surface Preparation Tool
Remove old varnish or paint from furniture by sanding it with sandpaper. You will need "sandpaper" of different grain sizes for a more thorough surface treatment. In some places, the old coating will have to be removed with a spatula. nine0003
Some types of varnish or paint can be removed from old furniture with special chemicals. You can find them at any hardware store.
Use a cloth to remove dust. A brush with a long and hard bristle will help to sweep dirt out of cracks and other hard-to-reach places.
How to create a design and implement an idea
Do-it-yourself furniture painting is a long and painstaking work. The process may take a long time.
Sometimes it takes more than one day or even a week. It is especially difficult if there is no experience in such a matter, it does not matter if we paint old furniture or give a new look to modern objects. nine0003
For beginners, a few tips will not be superfluous:
- Any work begins with a sketch or sketch. You can develop a design yourself or borrow the idea of painting furniture from a photo on the Internet. In any case, transferring a drawing from paper will be easier than inventing everything on the go;
- In the absence of experience, you should not immediately take on a large amount of work. First, paint a small object;
- If you can dismantle the furniture, do it. The individual parts are much easier to work with; nine0039
- Free space. There should be enough space to work. It is possible that the furniture will have to be rotated, tilted or moved;
- Do not neglect the quality of surface preparation. Polishing defects can spoil the look of even a very talented painting.
Dust and small particles lead to the same result; - Primer is a must for painting or painting. It is easier to work on a surface covered with soil;
- Every coat of primer, paint or painting needs to dry thoroughly. Minimum - a day for each layer. nine0039
The process of implementing an idea consists of several stages. The first one is preparation for priming and painting. The classic version with old wooden furniture involves the removal of the paintwork. To do this, you will need coarse and medium grit sandpaper or a special chemical agent - a wash and a spatula.
- After removing varnish and paint, sand the surface with fine sandpaper. This will get rid of excessive roughness and small scratches. If there are large chips and cracks on the furniture, they are puttied and sanded; nine0039
- The next step is to apply the primer. This is done with a brush or roller. Drops and streaks should be avoided.
In extreme cases, you can get rid of them using a sponge, or wait for the layer to dry and sand it with sandpaper; - Next comes the painting. The paint is applied in two or three thin layers. The result should be a smooth and even surface. After drying, you can proceed to the most interesting, but no less time-consuming stage - drawing; nine0038 Furniture with paintings - not necessarily an old wardrobe or chest of drawers, covered with patterns on all sides. More often it is a small pattern or a repeating pattern. To apply the same patterns, use a stencil or template. These can be simple butterfly stencils, small patterns, or large patterns with complex patterns.
There is more than one way to paint furniture. Hand painting is especially appreciated. Painting can be considered the pinnacle of skill. Combining various ways and techniques of painting, it is possible to create truly unique things:
- Those who do not use a brush can use the decoupage technique.
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