Painting furniture is a cost-effective and fun way to bring impact to a room without too much effort. Use a solid coat of vivid, bold paint colour to turn any furnishing from wall flower to a centre stage conversation piece.
Whether it’s an old chair, stool, side table, dresser or decorative item like a large mirror frame, a fresh coat of paint adds a refreshing swath of colour—without undertaking a full room transformation.
Your DIY Guide to Update Second-Hand Furniture
In an appearance on Cityline, a popular Canadian daytime show featuring home decor and lifestyle tips, Benjamin Moore Colour & Design expert Sharon Grech demonstrates how to transform flea market finds.
Sharon Grech, Colour & Design Expert
Painting Furniture: Where to Start
Start with assessing the type of furniture you’re painting and the space it will live in. What is your design style? Do you want to make a strong statement? Or simply give a well-loved piece of furniture a subtle update? Whether you have sleek laminate pieces or treasured antique ones, a fresh coat of paint is transformative.
Pay attention to pieces with solid construction and interesting silhouettes or lines, like these quirky high-back chairs, painted with eye-catching Coral Gables 2010-40. Knowing what vibe you’re going for will help you choose the right colour and make your painting project a success.
Choosing Your Furniture Paint Colour
With thousands of paint colours to choose from, how do you select the best colour for painted furniture?
“Look to other items in the room or in open, adjacent rooms for inspiration,” says Sharon. “Artwork and textiles are great sources of colour inspiration as they often have several hues woven in. On the other hand, painted furniture can become a work of art, so consider this an opportunity to select a fun palette of colours that you might not feel comfortable with on the walls.”
This bedroom, in crisp Paper White OC-55, offers an unexpected pop of colour with Cedar Green 2034-40 on the headboard, a stroke of vibrancy in an otherwise quiet space.
Lighting, Sheen and Painted Furniture
No matter where your painted furniture will live, the amount of light it gets throughout the day is an important factor in choosing the perfect colour .
“Lighting plays a crucial role in colour perception,” Sharon says, “so viewing your options in the correct lighting condition will help avoid unwanted colour surprises.” Test out your options with a 236 ml colour sample, available online or at your local store.
Consider your choice of sheen as well, especially when painting older furniture. Lower sheens are often selected for vintage pieces because they help mask blemishes and reflect a piece’s old-world charm. Higher sheens tend to accentuate imperfections, and are therefore more appropriate for smooth surfaces that command a shiny, lacquered look.
The Best Product for Painted Furniture
When it comes to the best paint for furniture, go with a product that delivers a durable, straight-from-the-factory finish. ADVANCE® Interior provides outstanding coverage and hide, and is great for camouflaging minor imperfections. Easy to apply and easy to clean, the result is a high-end, furniture-like finish.
The premium quality and performance of ADVANCE makes it the ideal paint for wood or laminate furniture. For more specialized projects, like painting wicker or metal furniture, consult with a locally owned Benjamin Moore retailer, and check out our list of “how-to” articles below.
The Charm of Upcycled Furniture
There’s something inspiring about an older piece of furniture made new again: With a fresh coat of paint, you can make it entirely your own. From estate and thrift store finds to that saved-from-the-landfill gem found curbside, repainted furniture is an easy way to explore self-expression.
“Whether it’s updating the cabinets in your powder room or home office or breathing new life into an old China cabinet, why not take a cue from some of the statement colours in home fashion today and be more daring?” asks Sharon.
“Try painting the back panel of a display cabinet or the inside of a drawer with your favorite bold colour and see how it’s instantly transformed.”
Everything You Need to Paint Furniture
Ready to start your DIY furniture-painting project? We’re here to help. Browse our guides below, and find even more advice for specific projects, like cabinets, bookshelves, and more in our extensive How To & Advice section.
- How to Paint Indoor Furniture
- How to Refinish Wood Furniture
- How to Paint Laminate Furniture
- How to Paint Metal Furniture
- How to Paint & Stain Outdoor Wood Furniture
If you really want to take on your next interior paint project with confidence, count on Warman Home Centre Benjamin Moore retailer for guidance.
