There’s chalk paint, latex paint, 2 types of milk paint, and enamel paint too. It’s so easy to get confused when it comes to picking paint for your dresser, table or nightstands. So here is a breakdown of the best paint for furniture, to get the best results. Show
Get more tips and ideas for painting furniture here. Pictured are some types of paint you can use on wood or laminate furniture.
Picking the right paint can really make or break your furniture project. In the furniture painting world there is:
*This is not an exhaustive list. But a list of the most popular combined with the ones I’ve tried. They all can work for wood, or laminated (the plastic feeling stuff) furniture, but the way they work, and how to use them may differ. On top of that, the end result (the finish or style) can really change depending on what paint you use. (You’ll want to pick a different paint for a sleek traditional shiny finish vs a matte chippy paint look.) To figure out what the best paint for furniture for you is, I’m breaking down:
Let’s dive in! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I also may earn from other qualifying purchases with other companies or get free product to review and use. All opinions are my own. (I’ve been refinishing and selling furniture as my job since 2014, and these are all types of paint I have used for my own furniture projects.) Latex PaintLatex paint is the paint that you would usually buy for the walls inside your home. You can pick it up at any hardware store and it usually comes in flat, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss. The store usually has an area where they will tint it any color you want (or match it to a swatch you have) for free. Honestly, I have only used latex paint on one furniture project, and that was one of my very first paint projects. I have however used latex paint a lot as the main ingredient to make homemade chalk paint. Here are the looks you can get with latex paint:
Pros of Latex Paint:
Cons of Latex Paint:
Tips and Tricks to use Latex Paint on Furniture
Latex Paint Brands that I have Used and Had Great Results With:
Chalk Paint** Chalk paint has a HUGE stigma about being a “no prep” necessary paint. This honestly is NOT TRUE. I mean, I love the sound of not having to clean, lightly sand, or prime furniture before painting, but if you want your project (not to mention the hours of time you spent on it) to last a long time, it’s really best to prep. Chalk Paint has made a big name for itself in the furniture painting world. Mainly because it requires less prep (notice I didn’t say “no prep”), there are so many things you can do with it, and it dries quickly. And I’ve found that it sticks way better than latex, even when using a primer under both latex and chalk paint. Why is chalk paint good for furniture?Chalk style paint is easy to use for those who are new to painting furniture. It requires less prep than other paint, and it sticks very well. It is waterbased so it cleans up easily with soap and water. And it can be used for so many different finishes (from modern to aged and distressed.) Here are some looks you can get with chalk paint:
Pros of Chalk Paint:
Cons of Chalk Paint:
Tips and Tricks to use Chalk Paint on Furniture
Chalk Paint Brands that I have Used and Had Great Results With:
Acrylic PaintThis one is confused a lot with the milk paint we talk about after this (the powdered kind). The way it works and the finish it creates is totally different than powdered milk paint! This paint creates a super smooth finish and is super easy to work with! I absolutely love acrylic paint! Here are the looks you can get with acrylic paint:
Pros of Acrylic Paint:
Cons of Acrylic Paint:
Tips and Tricks to use Acrylic Paint on Furniture
Acrylic Brands that I have Used and Had Great Results With:
Powdered Milk PaintMilk Paint creates an old fashioned finish, and is perfect to create a chippy finish or a solid finish with no chipping. It has a mind of it’s own though, so I wouldn’t recommend it if you have an OCD specific idea of what you want it to do. Here are the looks you can get with powdered milk paint:
Pros of Powdered Milk Paint:
Cons of Powdered Milk Paint:
Tips and Tricks to use Powdered Milk Paint on Furniture:
Powdered Milk Paint Brands that I have Used and Had Great Results With:
Pigmented PolyGeneral Finishes Pigmented Poly is quickly becoming one of my favorite paints to use on furniture. It doesn’t need a topcoat (the name says it all, it’s poly!), and it’s super durable. It levels really nicely and comes in a really nice satin sheen (also available in semi-gloss). Here are the looks you can get with pigmented poly:
Pros of Pigmented Poly:
Cons of Pigmented Poly:
Tips and Tricks to use Pigmented Poly on Furniture
Read this post for complete “how to” on General Finishes Pigmented Poly. Pignmented Poly Brands:
Alkyd PaintAlkyd paint is a waterborne paint that has the properties of oil based paint. Honestly, I don’t understand the science behind it. But we don’t need to know the science to be able to use it. 😉 It doesn’t need a topcoat (actually, you shouldn’t topcoat it), and it’s super durable (just like oil based paint). It levels really nicely and comes in every sheen you could want. Here are the looks you can get with alkyd paint:
Pros of Alkyd Paint:
Cons of Alkyd Paint:
Tips and Tricks to use Alkyd Paint on Furniture
Read this post for my experience with Sherwin Williams Emerald Trim Enamel. Alkyd Paint Brands that I have Used and Had Great Results With:
One Step PaintOne step paint is usually marketed as a paint with primer, that doesn’t need to be topcoated. The primer part I always laugh at, because I really truly believe that sing a primer before painting is the best way to get the best looking paint job. But obviously we’re always looking for an easy way out or to skip some steps. I totally get it. I love that it has a topcoat built in, but some of them are a matte finish, so I like to still topcoat them to achieve a wipeable surface. And to add extra durability. I like to think of one step paint as chalk paint with a less chalky finish. But that’s not true for all one step paints! Some come in a satin finish so I don’t feel the need to topcoat them… and then they seem like they are closer to the alkyd or pigmented poly. Anyway… Here are the looks you can get with One Step paint:
Pros of One Step Paint:
Cons of One Step Paint:
Tips and Tricks to use One Step Paint on Furniture
One Step Paint Brands that I have Used and Had Great Results With:
So, What is the Best Paint for Furniture?Well, you’ll have to make that decision. First, figure out what finish you want. Then see what is available in the color you want. Or in your area if you don’t want to wait for shipping. You honestly can’t go wrong with any of these that I have mentioned. Of course though, there are certain brands and types of paint that we all prefer more. And honestly, I think that is going to be different for everyone. So pick one of the options and try it out. It’s just paint. 😉 Here are a few overall tips and tricks when it comes to painting furniturePrevent Stains that Won’t go Away – Bleed throughWood can “bleed through” water-based paint. It shows up as yellow, red or orange stains, but no matter how many coats of paint you use, they don’t go away. 🙁 And sometimes the bleedthrough doesn’t show up until the piece is totally done. Noooooooooo! To prevent this from happening, always prime with a stain-blocking primer before painting. How to Paint Laminate FurnitureYou CAN paint laminate furniture (you know that super shiny, plastic-looking stuff) with any of these paints. The trick is using a really good bonding primer before the paint. Bonding or adhesion primers stick to slick non-porus surfaces, and they create a surface for any paint to hold onto as well. So if you want to paint over laminate furniture, just be sure to prep (read the next tip), prime (STIX or BIN primers are perfect for laminate furniture), and then paint with your choice of paint. Pssst. Recently I’ve been testing how to paint laminate furniture without sanding. Check it out if you don’t want to sand! And this little table makeover with general finishes milk paint had laminate and wood on it. And I didn’t have to sand it at all. *mind blown*. Prep is BestPrep is the most important part of a good painted finish. Make sure to clean dirt, grime, oil and wax off first. Krud Kutter or a 50/50 mix of Denatured Alcohol and Water works great! Then scuff sand everything to give your paint or primer something to hold onto. I like to use 220 grit sandpaper for this. After sanding, vacuum up the dust, and wipe everything down with a tack cloth before painting. Learn more about how to prepare furniture for paint here. The Best Paint Brushes for Painting FurnitureZibra paint brushes overall are very economical and do a great job with all of these furniture paints. They are synthetic paint brushes that come in all shapes and sizes (who would have thought!). The round brush makes it easier to paint spindles and round things. (The round brush is my favorite!) The square brush is so good for getting into corners. The triangle brush is great for corners as well! And getting into details that most furniture has too! Check out Zibra’s website for all of their paint brush options and see which one is right for you with their quiz. If you have a little bit more money to spend on a really really nice paint brush, the Staalmeester paint brushes and the Cling On paint brushes are spectacular! Best Paint Sprayers for Painting FurnitureIf you’re looking for a completely brush free and texture free finish, maybe you want to try out a paint sprayer! I love how much faster my projects go when I use a paint sprayer, and I love the nice finish it creates. Check out this post to learn about the best HVLP paint sprayers for painting furniture. (no air compressor required!) In the end, the best paint for your furniture is the paint that creates the finish you are looking for, in the color you are looking for. These are all types of paint that I have used and would be happy to use on a regular basis. I would hate to be limited to only one of these for all of my furniture painting projects! Time to paint! More Resources:
Follow us on YouTube to get more tips for painting furniture. Or share your project with us on our Facebook Group and be part of our community. See you there! What type of paint is best for painting furniture?What kind of paint is best for furniture? It's always best to use a satin or semi-gloss paint sheen, and you can use a latex or an oil-based paint. With a latex paint like Pro Classic from Sherwin Williams, you can use a latex primer too.
What is the most durable 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 kind of paint can you use on furniture without sanding?CHALK PAINT
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 type of paint is best for painting wood?Latex paint is the most popular type of paint for wood. It's easy to use and dries quickly, making it a great choice for beginners. It's also inexpensive and available in a wide range of colors. It's not as durable as oil-based paint, so it's not the best choice for high-traffic areas or exterior surfaces.
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