The Ultimate Inspiration Guide For Painted Furniture Makeovers

Get inspired with these painted furniture makeovers and painted furniture ideas!

Painting is the easiest and cheapest way to transform old furniture to fit your style and decor.  

If you keep an open mind you can score awesome deals on second-hand furniture.  With a fresh coat of paint, you can create a custom piece of furniture without spending hundreds of dollars.  

To help you narrow your time looking for painted furniture ideas,  I gathered my favorite painted furniture inspiration in every style and color.  You’ll find everything from painted desks and dressers to unique custom pieces.  

painted furniture makeovers

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1.  Do I need to sand furniture before painting?

Some paint brands claim their paint requires little to no prep work before painting, however, it’s a good idea to always prep and sand a piece of furniture before sanding.  I recommend scuff sanding with 220-grit sandpaper then thoroughly cleaning before applying paint. 

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2. What is the best way to paint furniture?

There are many ways to paint furniture, including using a roller, paintbrush, or paint sprayer.  Each paint tool will give a slightly different finish, with a paint sprayer giving the smoothest professional look.  

3.  How do I prevent brush strokes when painting furniture? 

There are a few simple techniques you can use to reduce the look of brush strokes.  

1.  Use a soft synthetic paintbrush.  I prefer painting with a 2 1/2″ angled Purdy brush made with soft synthetic fibers. 

2.  Be sure the paint is thin enough.You can add Mineral Spirits or water to paint if it becomes too thick. Another option is tofill a spray bottle with water and lightly spray furniture before applying paint.  

3.  Use long horizontal strokes while painting. 

4.  Lightly sand between coats with fine-grit sandpaper. 

4. Is it okay to paint without priming? 

The short answer is yes.  Not all types of wood furniture require priming before painting, especially if using a dark paint color.  If painting over laminate furniture or painting dark-stained furniture a lighter color than priming with a shellac primer is necessary. 

5. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PAINT BRANDS?

My go-to paint brands are General Finishes Milk Paint and Fusion Mineral Paint.  General Finishes is a little thinner and goes on smoother than Fusion Mineral Paint, but requires a top coat and more coats to achieve full coverage. 

CHALK PAINT:Annie SloanCountry ChicDixie Belle Chalky FinishRust-oleum Chalked Paint

MINERAL PAINT:Fusion Mineral Paint,  

MILK PAINT:General FinishesShackteau Interiors Milk Paint,Miss Mustard SeedMelange

1. WHITE PAINTED FURNITURE IDEAS

White MCM Dresser

White MCM Dresser

Paint Color: General Finishes Snow White

Source: Little House of Four

White antique dresser

White Distressed Antique Dresser

Paint Color: Dixie Bell Mud

Source: My Creative Days

Chippy white dresser

White Wash Stand

Paint Color: Miss Mustard Seed Grain Sack

Source: Miss Mustard Seed

2. TWO-TONE PAINTED FURNITURE IDEAS

White and wood painted furniture ideas

White and Wood MCM Dresser

Paint Color: General Finishes Snow White

Source: Little House of Four

black painted antique side table

Singer Sewing Table Makeover

Paint Color: Dixie Belle Coffee Bean Mineral Paint

Source: Salvaged Inspirations

gray painted antique dressers

Two-Tone Gray Antique Dresser Set

Source: Katie Cloud

3. GRAY PAINTED FURNITURE IDEAS

Gray painted chest

Light Gray Chest Of Drawers

Paint Color: Fusion Mineral Paint Hazlewood

Source: Little House of Four

DIY Gray painted mcm desk

Chalk Finish Gray Dresser

Paint Color: Americana Decor Chalky Paint Finish Relic

Source: The Funky Junk Shop

Light gray painted multi-drawer cabinet

Light Gray Distressed Numbered Cabinet

Paint Color: Benjamin Moore Gray Owl

Source: Urban Farmgirl

Gray antique dresser

Gray Empire Dresser 

Paint Color: Dixie Belle French Linen Chalk Mineral Paint

Source: Salvaged Inspirations

Gray MCM dresser

Light Gray MCM Dresser

Source: Style Mutt Spaces

4. BLACK PAINTED FURNITURE IDEAS 

Black antique dresser

Black Dresser

Source: Boxwood and Spruce

Black MCM Dresser

Black Painted MCM Dresser

Paint Color: General Finishes Lamp Black

Source: Little House of Four

Chippy black antique dresser

Distressed Black Dresser

Paint Color: Shackteau Interiors Black Beach

Source: Shackteau Interiors

Black painted chest

Black Painted Chest

Paint Color: Shackteau Interiors Black Beach

Source: Green Spruce Designs

Black side tables

Black painted drop leaf side tables

Paint Color: General Finishes Lamp Black

Source: Little House of Four

5. BLUE PAINTED FURNITURE IDEAS

Blue file cabinet

Liberty Blue File Cabinet

Paint Color: Fusion Mineral Paint Liberty Blue

Source: The Driftwood Home

Coastal blue milk painted campaign desk idea

Coastal Blue Campaign Desk

Paint Color: General Finishes Milk Paint Coast Blue

Source: Little House of Four

Dusty blue antique dresser

Dusty Blue Anqitue Dresser

Paint Color: Miss Mustard Seed Aviary

Source: Miss Mustard Seed

6. RED PAINTED FURNITURE IDEAS

Tricyle Red antique dresser

Miss Mustard Seed Tricycle Red Empire Dresser 

Paint Color: Miss Mustard Seed Tricycle Red

Source: Miss Mustard Seed

Red side table

Red Side Table

Paint Color: Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Emperor’s Sil

Source: Girl in the Garage

7. PINK PAINTED DRESSER IDEAS

Pink MCM dresser

Pink Painted Dresser

Paint Color: Custom mix of Melange Paints Mink Brown, Spice of Life, Madura Brown

 Source: Mercer Lane

Pink antique dresser

Pink Antique Dresser

Source: Mercer Lane

Wood and pink painted dresser

Pink and Wood Painted MCM Dresser

Paint Color: Sherwin-Williams Redend Point

Source: Mercer Lane

8. YELLOW PAINTED FURNITURE IDEAS

Yellow antique buffet

Yellow Antique Server

Source: Lolly Jane

pale yellow antique dresser

Pale Yellow Antique Dresser

Paint Color: Fusion Buttermilk Creme

Source: Lost and Found Decor

10. GREEN PAINTED FURNITURE IDEAS

dark green painted dresser

Olive Green Painted Dresser

Paint Color: Fusion Mineral Paint Everett

Source: Shangri-La Lane

emerald green dresser

Emerald Green Antique Dresser

Paint Color: Real Milk Paint Lily Pad

Source: A Ray of Sunlight

green entry table

Green Entry Table

Paint Color: Custom Shade using Annie Sloan Florance, Scandinavian Pink, and Honfleur

Source: Green Spruce Designs

Chippy green antique dresser

Chippy Green Antique Dresser

Source: Katie-Cloud

Olive green dresser

Olive Green Dresser

Paint Color: Vintage Moss

Source: A Ray of Sunlight

DIY green painted bed idea

Emerald Green Painted Bed

Paint Color: Annie Sloan Antibes Green

Source: The Heathered Nest

Emerald green side tables

Green Mismatched Nightstands

Paint Color: Real Milk Paint Lily Pad

Source: A Ray of Sunshine

11. TAUPE PAINTED FURNITURE

Stoney Taupe Painted Dresser

Stoney Taupe Painted Dresser

Color: Custom Paint Color

Source: Jewel In The Wall Furniture

Behr Shitaake painted dresser

Greige Painted Dresser

Paint Color: Behr Shitaake 

Source: Cypress House Design

12. FURNITURE TECHNIQUES 

Take your painted furniture makeovers to the next level and try a custom painting technique.  From layering chalk paint to adding decor moulds, these beautifully painted furniture makeovers will impress. 

Painted green dresser

Layered Chalk Paint 

Source: Salvaged Inspirations

Layered chalk painted dresser

Layered Chalk Paint with Salt Wash

Source:  Green Spruce Designs

Addin moulding to furniture

Adding Moulds to Furniture 

Source: Heartland Vintage Market, Designer Brooke Sobol

Floral Transfer on Furniture

Floral Transfer 

Source: Redesign With PrimaDid you find these DIY-painted furniture ideas helpful?  Are you ready to tackle your next painted furniture makeover?  The possibilities are endless regarding furniture makeovers and giving new life to a damaged or old piece!