The Best Paint for Furniture: Knowing How to Choose for Success

The renowned DIY projects, varying in complexity but always inspiring, are steadily growing in popularity. While there's something for every taste, furniture restoration projects are undoubtedly among the most appreciated. Whether it's a century-old chest of drawers or a worn-out kitchen cabinet being given a second life, there are plenty of possibilities.

Have you found the perfect old piece of furniture for your project and got inspired? By reading a few blogs and watching some videos, it's easy to be convinced that you'll easily achieve a similar result. However, technique alone is not enough to guarantee the best results.

Thorough cleaning of the surfaces to be painted, choosing the primer and finish coat, sanding between the different layers... Like in all renovation projects, the success of the project depends on many factors, and using the right products is often the key to a perfect finish.

Dreaming of painting your kitchen cabinets, your vanity unit, a chest of drawers for your bedroom, or a wardrobe for the living room? Here are some practical tips for choosing the best paint for each piece of furniture.

What Is the Best Paint to Use for Painting Wooden Furniture?

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Sometimes, just one coat of paint applied to a piece of furniture can give an entire room a fresh look, at a fraction of the cost of buying new furniture.

In addition to colour, the type of paint is worth considering. Matte or semi-matte finishes not only conceal minor imperfections but also impart an antique appearance. Glossy finishes, on the other hand, are ideal for modern furniture with sleek lines. Depending on the furniture and its intended use, it's worth noting that glossy paints are generally easier to clean.

With good preparation and the right paint, transforming your wooden furniture is already well within your reach.

Suggested Products for Painting Wood: Prices and Characteristics

Advance Interior Paint by Benjamin Moore

A high-quality water-based alkyd enamel with spreading, flow, and durability properties similar to traditional oil paints. Available in a range of durable finishes and infinite shades.

Price: approximately $100 for a 3.79-litre container.

Fresh-Start High-Hiding All Purpose Primer by Benjamin Moore

A high-performance 100% acrylic primer offering maximum coverage and a uniform finish on most surfaces, both indoors and outdoors. Resistant to mould and low in VOC, it can be used practically anywhere.

Price: $77.99 for a 3.79-litre container.

Insl-X Stix Waterborne Bonding Primer

A highly adhesive primer to be used on glossy surfaces to prepare them for virtually any paint. Whether tinted or not, it can be applied with a brush, roller, or sprayer.

Price: $29.99 - $79.99 per 3.78-litre container.

Small Practical Guide for Successful Application

For results that meet your expectations, follow the guide!

Step 1. Prepare the Surface

Before getting out brushes and rollers, use a mild degreaser to clean flat surfaces to be painted thoroughly, rinse with water to remove any residue, then let dry.

Sand your wooden furniture using medium-grit sandpaper, taking care not to completely remove the finish. Just scratching the surface is enough to ensure primer adhesion. Dust off with a slightly damp cloth, then let dry.

Repair cracks, joints, and nail holes with quality wood filler. Once the filler is dry, sand any uneven areas to level the surface.

Step 2. Apply the Primer

The next step involves applying an acrylic primer with excellent coverage as an undercoat.

Step 3. Apply the Paint

Choose a premium paint that applies and cleans easily. Be sure not to miss any spots. If applying a second coat, ensure the first coat is completely dry before proceeding.

More tips in our article "Repainting Wooden Furniture."

The Best Melamine Paints for Furniture and Cabinets

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This highly resistant paint evenly covers furniture and cabinets, providing excellent protection against impacts. Its smooth texture applies easily and levels surfaces perfectly, resulting in a finish similar to that of a manufactured product.

When applied to wood, it also protects your furniture from water and moisture stains. Specially designed for furniture and cabinets, melamine paint is washable for easy maintenance. Additionally, it is moisture-resistant, low in odour, and has low VOC levels.

It can be used on previously painted, varnished, or primed furniture. For better adhesion, lightly sand the surfaces before application.

Recommended Product: SICO Furniture and Cabinets, Melamine

A water-based paint for furniture and cabinets with an ultra-durable finish that provides excellent resistance to marks and stains caused by water and humidity. Easy to apply, it also dries quickly.

Price: $79.99 per 3.78-litre container.

Painting a Vanity Unit in 3 Easy Steps

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It's high time to freshen up your bathroom, but you're hesitant to dig into your budget for a complete renovation? Repainting your bathroom cabinets might be a wise choice.

A few brushstrokes, trendy handles, new towels with a matching bath mat, and you'll have a brand new decor for a fraction of the cost of a full bathroom renovation.

Recommended Products: Prices and Characteristics

Behr Premium Semi-Gloss Enamel Paint

A paint that withstands water and soap, applies easily, and dries quickly to give your furniture a durable finish.

Price: $68 - $75 per 3.66-litre container.

Behr Primer Sealer and Stain Blocker

This 100% acrylic primer, covering and self-leveling, adheres to the shiniest surfaces. Once tinted, it helps achieve stunning transformations with rich colors. Perfect for the kitchen and bathroom.

Price: $30 - $75 per 3.79-litre container.

Steps to Follow

Here's how to proceed with the transformation of your vanity unit.

Step 1. Choose Quality Paint

As mentioned earlier, the quality of the products used is almost always a guarantee of success for your project. By using the right products in the right places, following the manufacturer's recommendations, you'll not only achieve professional results but also ensure that your furniture remains beautiful over time.

Opt for a quality primer to ensure that the paint adheres perfectly to the surface.

For a bathroom unit, choose paint that is resistant to water and moisture. Opting for a satin or semi-gloss finish will make dust less visible and your furniture easier to clean.

For a complete makeover, also consider paint suitable for hardware, or get new handles.

Step 2. Prepare the Surfaces

Remove the handles from the doors and drawers, then clean the unit with a degreasing product to remove any traces of oil or dirt. If the surface is damaged, use a filler, then sand to remove holes, cracks, and other minor imperfections.

Step 3. Paint the Vanity Unit

Once the primer is applied and dry, use a brush to paint the moldings, appliqués, inlays, and bevels.

Using a small roller, then spread the paint on the surfaces carefully to avoid leaving marks or streaks. Wait for the paint to dry completely before applying a new coat.

Once this step is completed, all that's left is to install the new handles, and you're done.

What Paint to Choose for Varnished Furniture Without Sanding?

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Because sometimes we're in a hurry or overly excited, we might want to skip steps. Good news, chalk paints, those famous "chalk paint," allow for excellent results while avoiding the sanding chore. What's more, there's no need to prime the surface.

Its ultra-matte and chalky finish — hence its name — gives furniture a beautiful antique look in no time. Vigorously stir the paint before applying it with a brush. Often, one coat is enough to achieve the desired outcome.

To give your furniture that sought-after vintage look, apply a glaze with a brush or use coarse-grit sandpaper to sand edges and details. This will reveal the old paint or wood tone in some areas.

Finish your project by applying a protective finishing coat, and all that's left is to admire the work!

So, what are we waiting for to get started?

Recommended Products: Prices and Characteristics

Chalk Paint from Annie Sloane 

A quality water-based paint, non-toxic, virtually odourless, and extremely covering.

Price : $20 - $54 per 1-litre container.

Ultra Matte Chalk Paint by Rust-Oleum

A creamy texture, easy to apply, an ultra-matte finish offering superior coverage.

Price: $50 - $55 per 887 ml container.

Furniture Makeover: What Is the Best Colour to Repaint Furniture?

The best colour for painting furniture depends on several factors, including your interior style, personal preferences, and the ambiance you want to create. Neutral tones like white, grey, and beige are often versatile and timeless, fitting various decors. Bright colours can add a touch of dynamism and personality to a space, while dark tones add sophistication and depth. The important thing is to choose a colour that inspires you and harmonizes with the rest of your decor.