I remember being a kid and having a sketchbook of rooms that I wanted to design (who does that?!). I think I was around 10 or 11 when I decided that I was ready to “renovate” my room for the first time. And by renovate, I mean that I wanted new paint, new curtains, and new furniture… with dreams of turning my closet into a private bathroom and adding french doors to the back wall of my yard-facing room. A girl can dream, right? Anyway, long story short – all I got was paint, curtains, and a new comforter. I was stuck with the closet and the furniture and the wall with no doors.
That’s when I got creative – and props to my parents for letting me experiment. I started painting and refinishing my furniture to make it have a fresh look. Through the years, I’ve done so many furniture projects that I can’t remember them all. If you’re feeling just a little daring, and you’re ready to give some of your used pieces an update, I’ve got a little crash course full of tips for you here!
Dressers and End Tables – Have no fear – these are really easy!
- Give it a quick sand to break up the finish that’s on the exterior. It’s easier to use a sander, but it’s not necessary. I have a Ryobi sander that’s handy for little projects like these.
- Assess the situation – determine what kind of material you’re working with. If it’s pressed wood or something similar, you’re good to use a latex interior paint. If you’ve got a really nice, solid wood piece that you’re gonna use for years to come, bite the bullet and get some Kilz primer and consider an oil-based paint. If it’s laminate, you’ll need both paint and primer, but Kilz does offer a water-based primer! Personally, I like the look of flat or matte finishes, but a semi-gloss is great if it’ll potentially get a little grimy and need some regular spraying & cleaning.
- Pick your paints. This is where you get to use your creativity. I always love a good pop of color, but sometimes I save it for the trim or the details. Edges, rims, and any detail engraving will look amazing with a different color painted in. If you’re just going for some hints of fun color, consider doing a neutral color for the main body and then an accent color for the details.
- Paint and repaint! After the first coat of paint, let it dry completely and then start again. After the second coat dries, check for any streaks and add another coat or spot touch-ups. I always think it’s such a pain to wait for paint to dry, but you’ll be adding work to yourself if you start the second coat too early!
- Find a finish. I really like Polycrylic finishes – they’re clear and come in Matte, Satin, or Semi Gloss. You’ll wait until the paint is completely dry and then paint on thin layers of the Polycrylic. Make sure it’s not too heavy or globby, because it’ll dry yellow if it’s applied too thick.
- Knob it up. If you’re looking for some really cool accent knobs or handles, check out Anthropologie, World Market, or Hobby Lobby. Home Depot / Lowes has some plain brass/ silver / gold ones in the cabinetry section if you want a more streamlined look. Or, you can take the existing knobs and repaint them with an oil-based paint or spray paint to make them look new.
- Don’t forget the details. Painting the inside of the drawers a different color, or lining the bottom of the drawers is an extra step, but really adds to the finished product!
Coffee Tables / Kitchen Tables – A little more effort, but so much return!
- Give it a really thorough sand. You want to break up any finish that was on it before, or if you’re trying to stain it a different color, you’ll need to sand until you don’t see the old color anymore.
- If you’re staining, I really like Miniwax wood finish. The easiest way I’ve found to stain is to get an old hand towel, and with a gloved hand, dip the towel in the stain and rub it into the wood until it’s even.
- If you’re painting, prime first! Use a semi gloss paint for a piece that’s gonna get a lot of wear and tear!
- Think about the LEGS! I believe this is the best way to accent a table. Iron legs – paint them metallic? Staining the tabletop – paint the legs white? Painting the top white – paint the legs black? Have a little fun and don’t be scared to be a little funky!
The Weathered Look
There are two ways to give a piece of painted furniture more of an antique vibe!
- Before you paint – dip a Q-tip in Vaseline and rub it over the edges of the piece, then paint it. When the paint dries, you’ll be able to just rub off the paint in those areas.
- Already painted – with a fine grit sandpaper, sand the edges and make scuff marks on the surface.
Alright, that’s the end of your mini course! Hope these tips help springboard you into your best furniture yet! Let me know what you do!
