Fixing Up Old Furniture? These Are the Top Paints We Recommend

Whether you inherited a beat-up dining set from your parents or want to update a salvaged, vintage piece, furniture paint is a quick and easy way to breathe new life into old pieces. Opt for trim or furniture paints that have harder finishes, so the completed paint job will be more durable and won’t chip or peel easily. Additionally, prioritize the finish because it can leave you with different results. For example, a high-gloss provides a more modern feel while chalk paint is ideal for the farmhouse aesthetic.

Just remember, before you start painting it's important to remove all hardware and clean the surface to get rid of any dirt or grease. You should also use sandpaper to rough up the surface. It doesn’t have to be taken all the way down to bare wood, but the new paint will stick better to the original surface. Or you can skip the sanding altogether and opt for a liquid sander de-glosser product when prepping. Either way, it's a crucial step you can't skip. And if you're covering a darker color, apply a fresh coat of primer, and don't rush. Take your time, let the paint dry well between coats (you’ll usually need two, sometimes more), and let it set for a few days before using the furniture again.