
10 of the best paint colours for furniture upcycling projects
- Tilton + Country Grey, Chalk Paint Annie Sloan ...
- Carmine 189, Intelligent Satinwood Paint Little Greene ...
- Teresa’s Green No.236, Modern Eggshell paint Farrow and Ball ...
- Rebel, Easyclean Matt paint Crown ...
- French Grey Dark 163, Intelligent Satinwood paint Little Greene ...
- Peach Baby, Eco Chic clay based paint Earthborn ...
- Pleat 280, Intelligent Satinwood paint Little Greene ...
- Wimborne White, Estate Eggshell paint Farrow and Ball ...
Full Answer
What is the best chalk paint for furniture upcycling?
If you’re after a shabby chic look, then Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint has become one of the go-to brands for a distressed or vintage look. Hugely popular for furniture upcycling, the thick paint formula creates a rustic look where brush marks are welcomed, and the bonus is it's incredibly easy to use.
What is the best type of paint for furniture?
There are two main base types of furniture paint and they both have their pros and cons: An oil-based or alkyd type is more hardwearing and durable, and you can use it on most surfaces and usually won’t need a primer or topcoat. However, it takes a lot longer to dry and contains harmful solvents.
What is the best paint for melamine furniture?
If you want to spruce up furniture that's made from melamine - as well as wooden furniture - then Ronseal One Coat Cupboard & Melamine Paint is a great option. Specifically formulated to adhere to melamine surfaces, this paint is easy to apply with a brush in just one coat.
What kind of paint can you buy at the hardware store?
Overview: Latex paint is the type of paint you can buy from any hardware store. It’s water-based and comes in a variety of sheens ranging from flat to gloss. Pros: It’s the least expensive option for painting furniture. It’s tintable to pretty much any color you can imagine.
What color is Little Greene's chair?
Is Earthborn paint safe for children?
Can you paint furniture?
Is it good to repaint furniture?
Is it subjective to choose a chair color?
Who is Antonia Edwards?
Can you paint walls in the same color?
See 2 more

What kind of paint do you use on a dresser?
Latex paint: A go-to for DIY projects, latex paint is a popular choice for furniture makeovers because it offers different finish options (including flat, satin, and full or semi-gloss) and is easy to clean (with water and a little bit of soap). Latex paint is available in a whole spectrum of colors.
What paint to use without sanding?
Chalk paint is the best way to paint practically anything without sanding. It offers a gorgeous matte finish and no need to prepare the surface. Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint was the cornerstone of the painted furniture industry as we know it.
What's the best paint to use on wooden furniture?
Chalk paint is the most common choice of paint for wooden furniture and gets its name from the luxurious chalky finish it creates. 'It's a multi-purpose paint that applies to just about any surface, without the need for priming or sanding,' says Annie Sloan, founder of Annie Sloan Paints (opens in new tab).
What kind of paint do furniture makers use?
There are two main types of furniture paint: Alkyd (oil-based) and latex/acrylic (water-based).
What happens if you don't sand before painting?
If you skip the cleaning, deglosser or primer, then your paint will only have a slippery/grimy surface to try to adhere to. And paint does not do that well on it's own! By taking the time to do a quality job on the preparation steps, you'll benefit greatly in the long run.
What is so great about chalk paint?
Besides its matte finish, chalk paint differs from traditional paint in several other ways. One of the benefits is that it doesn't require any prep work—it can paint right over most clean, dry surfaces (except for metal or shiny laminate), even if they're already painted.
What is the toughest paint for furniture?
Oil Paint. Oil-based paint, also sometimes called alkyd paint, is one of the most durable paints to use on furniture.
What is the toughest paint for wood?
Gloss paint is a very durable option that gives a high-sheen finish to the likes of doors, window frames and skirting boards. Satinwood paint is an increasingly popular choice over gloss due to its more mid-sheen finish and the fact that it tends to remain brighter longer than gloss.
Do I have to sand wood before painting?
But the key to a smooth paint job starts before your wood sees even a drop of paint. It starts with a well-prepared surface and knowing how to properly sand wood before painting it. A good sanding will ensure your paint comes out silky-smooth and help the paint adhere to the surface for a sturdier paint job.
What kind of paint will stick to anything?
Requiring no prep work at all, adhesive chalk paint is inherently kind of a miracle if you don't want to sand the surface first—it sticks to so many surfaces. And yes, as a bonus, you can use it as a chalkboard (this actually could be cool on a breakfast table that your kids will be sitting at, just saying).
Can you paint over painted wood?
As a general rule, it is possible to paint over already painted wood without sanding it first if the surface is not damaged or the previous paint job is not peeling or chipping off. Simply prepare the surface by applying a high adhesion primer. Once the primer has fully dried apply the paint.
Can you use wall paint to paint furniture?
If you have leftover latex paint, you can use that wall paint on furniture too. Latex or water-based acrylic paints work better than oil paints for refinishing furniture. It sets faster, is durable, and it's easy to remove if you want to refinish your furniture again later on.
How can I paint a room without sanding it?
Sanding can be avoided in two ways. First, you can use a heavy duty primer sealer as a first coat before applying your finish paint. The oil based products, such as Kilz and Zinsser Cover Stain, will stick to anything (even glass), and give a good stable surface for top coating.
Can you paint straight onto paint?
If the current wall is smooth, clean and covered with the same type of paint (both are oil-based for example), you can head straight for the paint. You need to fill holes, spackle and sand*, maybe even cut a new piece of drywall in to the existing wall.
Can you paint over semi gloss paint without sanding?
If you want to update semi-gloss painted walls but don't want to sand and prime; or, if lead-based semi-gloss walls prevents you from sanding, it is possible to paint over semi-gloss walls with a satin-based paint without sanding or priming.
Does satin paint need sanding before repainting?
There's one thing that's missing: texture, which it needs in order to receive a new coat of satin paint. All you have to do is to sand the wall gently, applying very little pressure over the entire surface. After sanding, use a wiping cloth or tack cloth to wipe off the dust.
What color is Little Greene's chair?
Little Greene. This chair has been painted in Carmine by Little Greene, an eye-catching bright but elegant pink . The chair is set against a backdrop of Hollyhock 25 and Hellebore 275 with the floor painted Royal Navy 257.
Is Earthborn paint safe for children?
Earthborn. The toxicity of paint will be of most concern when it’s coming into contact with children. Earthborn’s Eco Chic clay based paint range is designed especially for furniture. It carries the Safety of Toys Standard (EN71-3:2019) making it safe for children’s furniture and toys.
Can you paint furniture?
Painting furniture is something anyone can do. But it pays to be selective about what we chose to repaint and what to simply restore. Some vintage pieces will be most desirable (and hold their value) when left in their natural wood state. In these cases, the job is best left to furniture restoration experts. So the best candidates for DIY furniture upcycling are those lacklustre low value pieces that are seemingly destined for the tip.
Is it good to repaint furniture?
There aren’t just environmental benefits to salvaging a tired piece of furniture and keeping it in use for longer. The very process of repainting furniture – or even just revarnishing, is a mindful and meditative activity. We should all have a go at it.
Is it subjective to choose a chair color?
When it comes to choosing colours, it’s totally subjective of course. Don’t be swayed by trends. If your upcycled chair is going in your own home and you like the finished result, that’s all that matters. The world would be a very boring place if we all had the same taste.
Who is Antonia Edwards?
Author: Antonia Edwards. Antonia is the founding editor of Upcyclist. Based in the UK, she is the author of two books: 'Upcyclist: Reclaimed and Remade Furniture, Lighting and Interiors' (Prestel 2015) and 'Renovate Innovate: Reclaimed and Upcycled Homes' (Prestel 2017). View all posts by Antonia Edwards.
Can you paint walls in the same color?
Paint colours now come in a vast range of colours, with the same shade available for different surfaces. Painting walls, furniture, shelving etc in a matching colour can be one simple way to tie a room together. There aren’t just environmental benefits to salvaging a tired piece of furniture and keeping it in use for longer.
How to upcycle an old window?
Use an old window frame and a wood backing to make a chic calendar for your kitchen, den, or home office. Use chalkboard paint on the wooden backing and then paint the old window frame as desired. Layer the frame on top of the wood and hang the entire piece on the wall. Now you have a beautiful and functional piece of wall decor that you didn’t need to break the bank over.
What is upcycling an item?
When you upcycle an item, you’re typically refashioning it, rather than breaking down the materials like you would if you were recycling an item. You can upcycle something that you have in your home or something found at a thrift shop, yard sale, or acquired as a hand-me-down.
Can you paint old glass bottles?
When you’re looking to decorate your home without spending an abundance of cash, painting old glass bottles is the perfect project for you. These are extremely easy to find — you probably have some in your home already — and they’re aesthetically pleasing and functional. These can be used as vases or for storage, or simply for decoration.
What is the best type of paint for furniture?
There are two main base types of furniture paint and they both have their pros and cons:
What type of furniture can I paint?
With a little imagination, most homeware can be upcycled to give it a new lease of life, but paint is a quick and easy solution for transforming wooden and even melamine furniture with the right paint formula. For inspiration check out our upcycled furniture ideas and start assessing that old sideboard you’ve been wanting to get rid of with new eyes… For an easy dining room update repainting an inherited dining table and chairs is always a great way to instantly change the feel of a room. See the effects you could achieve in these budget dining room ideas.
How to choose the paint finish for your furniture?
Once you’ve chosen your colour, the next step is deciding which finish or sheen you prefer.
What is Wilko Quick Dry Chalky Furniture Paint?
The paint is formulated to leave a tough, matt finish on melamine, interior wood and MDF, making it the perfect choice for upcycling a variety of furniture around the home.
How much does furniture paint cost?
The cost of furniture paints can start from as little as £10 right up to £50, but how much you decide to spend really depends on what you’re upcycling. Premium paints tend to have better coverage and require fewer coats. You’re also likely to find a wider range of colour options with the more expensive paint brands. But if you’re only doing some touching up on a smaller job or just looking for a basic colour like white, then there’s probably no point spending a fortune on expensive paint.
What is the difference between satin and gloss?
Satin: This leaves a semi-gloss finish and remains brighter than a gloss finish.
How long does it take for paint to dry?
It’s worth noting that we found this paint takes a lot longer to dry than other paints, and you need to allow between 12-24 hours drying time before applying another coat.
What kind of paint should I use for furniture?
Personally, the two kinds of paint I prefer are acrylic and alkyd. They are both super easy to paint with and give a really nice finish.
What is the best paint for kitchen cabinets?
Water-based alkyd paint is a fairly new type of paint that hardware stores have started to carry over the past couple of years. This is one of the best kinds of paint for kitchen cabinets (that’s the full post on how I use that paint for cabinets) and I’ve also loved using it for furniture as well. Basically, it used to be an oil-based formula, but now paint manufacturers have engineered a way to give all the benefits of oil-based alkyd in a easy to clean water-based formula. It levels perfectly and gives a nice, durable finish without the need for a topcoat.
What is specialty furniture paint?
Overview. Most specialty furniture paint is a form of acrylic paint. General Finishes Milk Paint is one of my favorite brands, but the name is a tad bit misleading, because this paint is actually a water-based acrylic paint, not actually milk paint at all.
What is wall paint?
“Wall” paint is the type of paint you can buy from any hardware store. It’s water-based and comes in a variety of sheens ranging from flat to gloss. I struggled with what to call it, because the components in the paint are different depending one which type you buy.
Is latex paint durable?
If it’s latex wall paint, the finish never seems as durable to me as I’ d like. I often find pieces at thrift stores and garage sales that have been painted with latex paint and they are peeling, chipping, and scratching like crazy. Now, this could be a result of poor preparation, but either way, it’s important to note that latex paint requires correct preparation.
Is milk paint a bonding agent?
It comes in a powder form, so you only mix up the amount you plan to use. You can add a bonding agent to the paint that ensures it will adhere to furniture that has already been finished.
Can I use acrylic paint on furniture?
I only use acrylic-based wall paints for furniture and always steer clear of latex-based paints. (Unless I’m painting a wall – latex paint works totally fine for that!) I will use latex paint for the furniture pieces I build. It adheres to the raw wood nicely and holds up well.
What to do with plastic bottles in the garden?
Colorful decoration for the garden to make with the kids. Upcycle plastic bottles into suncatchers.
What are old tires used for?
Old tires are used to make this fun upcycled seating for the garden.
Can you miss upcycled plant markers?
You certainly wouldn't miss these upcycled plant markers.
Is upcycling good for gardens?
Don’t forget the added satisfaction of making your garden unique with something you have personally made. Gardens aren’t just about plants and flowers.
Can you paint a shed?
Instead of your garden shed being an eyesore in your garden, why not make it a feature. By painting the shed with color and pattern, you can make it a fun unique feature.
Can you upcycle a detergent bottle?
This is a very simple, but clever idea, upcycling a detergent bottle into a watering can.
What color is Little Greene's chair?
Little Greene. This chair has been painted in Carmine by Little Greene, an eye-catching bright but elegant pink . The chair is set against a backdrop of Hollyhock 25 and Hellebore 275 with the floor painted Royal Navy 257.
Is Earthborn paint safe for children?
Earthborn. The toxicity of paint will be of most concern when it’s coming into contact with children. Earthborn’s Eco Chic clay based paint range is designed especially for furniture. It carries the Safety of Toys Standard (EN71-3:2019) making it safe for children’s furniture and toys.
Can you paint furniture?
Painting furniture is something anyone can do. But it pays to be selective about what we chose to repaint and what to simply restore. Some vintage pieces will be most desirable (and hold their value) when left in their natural wood state. In these cases, the job is best left to furniture restoration experts. So the best candidates for DIY furniture upcycling are those lacklustre low value pieces that are seemingly destined for the tip.
Is it good to repaint furniture?
There aren’t just environmental benefits to salvaging a tired piece of furniture and keeping it in use for longer. The very process of repainting furniture – or even just revarnishing, is a mindful and meditative activity. We should all have a go at it.
Is it subjective to choose a chair color?
When it comes to choosing colours, it’s totally subjective of course. Don’t be swayed by trends. If your upcycled chair is going in your own home and you like the finished result, that’s all that matters. The world would be a very boring place if we all had the same taste.
Who is Antonia Edwards?
Author: Antonia Edwards. Antonia is the founding editor of Upcyclist. Based in the UK, she is the author of two books: 'Upcyclist: Reclaimed and Remade Furniture, Lighting and Interiors' (Prestel 2015) and 'Renovate Innovate: Reclaimed and Upcycled Homes' (Prestel 2017). View all posts by Antonia Edwards.
Can you paint walls in the same color?
Paint colours now come in a vast range of colours, with the same shade available for different surfaces. Painting walls, furniture, shelving etc in a matching colour can be one simple way to tie a room together. There aren’t just environmental benefits to salvaging a tired piece of furniture and keeping it in use for longer.
