Bring the WOW factor to your painted furniture pieces without spending hours and hours in the garage! These furniture painting techniques are simple, but still result in a gorgeous “after.”
I have three or four pieces of furniture in my garage waiting on me to do something amazing to them. One day in the near future, I’m going to make all their dreams come true.
I have to, otherwise my husband is going to ban me from anymore thrift store furniture purchases. 😆
I went through my furniture makeover gallery the other day looking for inspiration as to what direction to go with those pieces. I’m thinking I might revive one or two with one of my “oldie but a goodie” furniture painting techniques, but in a new light. We shall see what I have up my sleeve…
Furniture Painting Ideas Techniques
Painting Patterns and Designs on Furniture
One of my favorite ways to make painted furniture pop is with an unexpected design or pattern on it.
Painting plaid on the side table was actually really simple! All you’ll need are four different coordinating paint colors and painter’s tape – and you don’t have to measure a thing! It obviously takes a few different coats of paint, but it’s worth it!
Painter’s tape came to my aid again with the gold “confetti” touches on the coral side table.
For the tuxedo bar, I freehanded the design from a photo of a friend wearing his tuxedo style t-shirt – it was much easier than it may sound!
Helpful Tip: When using painter’s tape on a piece of furniture, walls or anywhere else, be sure to remove the tape right after your last coat of paint before the paint dries. If you let the paint dry completely before removing the tape, you risk the tape pulling the paint off!
Related: Wall Paint Design Ideas with Tape
Layering Paint and Glazes
It took me a while to come to the “glaze side.” I was a hold out for a really long time. Now, I’m not sure why! I will say though, I prefer the dark glazes on unexpected colors and I don’t like it when it’s used to create a weathered farmhouse look. Anyone else?
To create the washed out feel on the blue table, I actually used a clear glaze and mixed a touch of blue paint with it to get the look.
The fuchsia dresser topped with the dark glaze is one of my favorite unexpected paint and glaze pairings. After painting the dresser in the bright pink, it was a whole lot on the eye, so I toned it down with the glaze.
My IKEA Tarva hack was how dark glazes won me over. After turning the dresser into a bar and painting it green, I felt it needed a little something more. Dark glaze to the rescue.
The caribbean blue table came to fruition by me just playing around and adding layers of paint on top of one another. I used two or three paint colors to get the added depth.
Related: Here’s a great tutorial for How to Make Your Own Furniture Glaze in Any Color
Contrasting Painted Furniture
Mid Century Dressing Table Makeover
I don’t like to paint stained furniture unless the finish is badly damaged. This mid century modern dressing table was mostly in great condition, except for the top. The drawers were gorgeous and I didn’t want to mess with them. So, I opted to only paint the top of the dressing table and leave the rest of the piece untouched.
Related: If you’re looking for a different approach to staining furniture, read this about how to make your own colored stains.
See more furniture makeovers with stain and paint combos here.
Embellishing Painted Furniture
That red beauty you see wasn’t always quite so embellished. The glass doors were plain, clear glass and the bottom doors were basically wood slabs. Adding fretwork panels to the piece made a world of difference.
Decorating furniture with wrapping paper. It’s a thing, don’t ya know? This side table was only $3 at a yard sale, but had a badly damaged top. Wrapping paper to the rescue.
Painting Upholstery
I don’t recommend painting upholstery for everyday pieces you will constantly be sitting in. But for accent pieces or chairs you don’t often use, go for it! I completely painted this entire chair – upholstery and all!
Want to dive into more furniture painting ideas, tips and tricks? See these then…
How to Wax Furniture the Easy Way – if you prefer waxing furniture, save your wrists and read this tip!
Restaining Furniture without the Mess – complete how-to on stripping and restaining furniture without the mess that liquid strippers cause.
Want to come back here later? Just pin the image below!
Keep up with more painting inspiration on social media:
Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter
Susan the Farm Quilter says
Have you ever played with UnicornSpit?? It is a gel stain that has glorious colors!! I think you could really go to town with it!!
Jenna says
I’ve got to! It’s on my list to try out!