If you are like me and tend to tire of your possessions easily, it pays to go to thrift shops and garage sales for shopping. I pay $5 for a beat up old coffee table or chair, sand it down and paint it. After I'm done with it in a few years or so, it still looks like new, I place it in my own garage sale for $15. I have never lost money on this technique, usually I make about two to three times the money. I get to change my decor often without spending much money. It is so much fun to make something look so different!
By Susan from Elkhart, IN
This page contains the following solutions.
On a trip to the laundromat, I saw what appeared to be a chest of drawers. I pulled over and stopped so that I could get a closer look. Indeed it was a chest of drawers. Looked ugly enough. Some sort of mustard yellow puke color. All 5 drawers were there. The bottom of the chest looked as though it had been sitting in 5 inches of water. Long enough so that the lower decorative part of its foundation and bottom slat of wood had disintegrated. I opened the top drawer and it appeared brand new, albeit dusty, dirty and webby.
My 44 year old rock maple kitchen set is going to look brand new, "I hope."
Painting smaller pieces of furniture is a wonderful way to utilize left-over paint. Not only that, but paint actually protects the wood.
Cedar chest restored and hand painted with Alice in Wonderland. Polyurethane finish. Donating it to a group that help children that have been abused.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I have a wooden dining room set with 4 chairs and cupboards but they look very worn out and old fashioned. I was thinking about repainting them but can't decide what color to choose. Can you help me out?
By ANGELA
You can paint it with a brownish-red paint or a color that is a little bit dark and then try to put a varnish on it so the color would really stand out or shines. If you really want your wooden dining room to look good and new, you better choose a new table-cloth, new things to put in it and just make sure that the cloth that you will use suits to the color of the chairs.
Good luck! I hope my answer helped you!
I would suggest that you paint all pieces of furniture an off-white color for the base color. The rim of the table and all of the chairs should be in a blue (except for the chair seats themselves). Stenciling would look lovely on all of it. Good luck and have fun.
With the couch nearby, you could use a soft blue or green from the couch fabric. Either would look beautiful!
I've seen a couple of neighbors spray paint their dining room furniture and book cases a matte black. I looked awesome. I'm going to try it on an old bedroom set.
If you plan on keeping your sofa I would paint it white or off white. There are websites that show you how to make it look antiqued.
Looks like you are a country/traditional style person.
How about two or three colors that compliment each other and distress it a bit.
Antique white with country blue, green and red to blend the sofa with the wood furniture.
So paint the seats of the chairs one color and the backs of the chairs one color and the legs one color, see what I'm imagining?
Or paint each chair a different color and paint the table a different color from that and then paint the hutch all different colors to match.
Looking at the picture, I would just thoroughly clean the table and chairs and if the finish is still there just give it a good waxing. Buy a floor length round table cloth in one of the soft colors in your sofa because it is so close, and then another smaller round like you have in perhaps lace because of the style of your room. Replace your candles with some taller colored ones and you could also repaint the candle holder, or set it on a pretty plate for more warmth. Also the stark white wall needs either some color or something either side of the hutch to tie your room together.
If it were my decision, I'd double check tall of the joints for tightness. If tight and not badly rubbed/scratched on the top of the table, I'd decide if I want paint/ streaks and all, or stain that can be a richer, slightly lighter and warmer for the top and for the chair back spindles.
Then I'd use the liquid Murphy Oil Soap/water for wood cabinetry and clean the whey out of the dark parts. Dry for two days. Sand them slightly but evenly, then wipe down with alcohol and muslin gauze to collect all dust particles.
I'd mask the lighter stained parts well with kraft paper and masking tape, and spray paint all remaining wood black satin finish, double coating with a light even sanding between coats.
If you are good at this, you could also sand/stain the tops of the turned "knobs" on each chair in the lighter color. I believe you will be pleased. If you are, and have not gotten in a hurry, when the last coat has dried for two full days, add a coat of satin finishing liquid polyurethane, IF the stain and paint is water based, otherwise you may "lift" some of the work you have done.
Read your labels well, ask for professional advice wherever you buy it all, if possible, and think it through carefully before beginning. Go to a paint store if you need extra advice about anything, but do not take the advice from WalMart store clerks or young Home Depot employees who may know too little.
I'd add two coats of Polyurethane to the top, if you make certain to follow directions for second coat.
Two runners crossing the table in two directions would be something fresh, to match simple chair pads? with an added centerpiece of medium silk flowers, in clear glass or brass pot.
You can do this if you do not get impatient or begin to just paint and hope for the best. It won't be what you're after, I'm sure, and you will only have to re-do it. Keep the spray paint lightly moving, evenly spraying, and let each coat dry very well.
Tip: when sanding, give the bottoms of all legs near the floor more attention, because of the dings, dirt, food that we miss sometimes, and because you'd not want the paint to fall off or not stain that area.
If you have any paint left over, turn the table/chairs over and give the bottoms a fresh single coat.
The china cabinet, I'd try to give the edges of the shelves and drawer fronts the lighter wood stain, remembering that finger oils and drawer pull areas are especially dirty, so scrub a bit longer there with the Murphy Oil Soap/water.
Shelves get not only dusty, but oily residue from whatever cooking oils land on them from the air, especially from the kitchen area. Use Purel Hand Sanitizer to remove the oils, then Murphy Oil Soap and water for the whole thing, including the insides of the drawers, which you will want to paint black as well, I'm sure?
Use only one coat on the sides of the drawers so they won't stick so easily. If they do, rub them with clear castile soap and it should lubricate them, unless they have hardware drawer glides on the sides or plenty of room to move
If you can afford it, once finished, that's the time to consider some fresh simple but classic hardware for the cabinet, unless what is there is adequate and attractive. If the old hardware is too cheap, and if you can afford it, replace it.
This sort of project is time consuming, but if the all the joints are strong and not loose, it will be worth it when you are through. Do this only if the whole set is all wood, not particle-board backed/ drawer-bottoms, and not laminated table top. If they are, I'd just do the least thing, give it a kiss and a promise, add new cloth, and focus on other things.
God bless and help you in all ways. "-"
I like the shabby chic lookl Even if you paint it all white, My mother had the same style dining room set and I have often wished I had it in my kitchen now.
Hello, I trained on reusing, revamping, restyling furniture on a shoestring so how about: Idea 1: rubbing down with medium and finishing with fine sandpaper, and then giving it a emulsion paint 'wash' effect to give it the appearance of liming or use a 'liming' paste. Its easier to use slightly watered down emulsion applied with a soft cloth and going in one direction.
Idea 2: still need to lightly rub down but you could paint in a rich cream and add some folksy stenciling, add cup hooks to the dresser shelves. Painting in cream enables you to change the colour easier at a later date as this is a good base colour.
But dont forget to use water based paints throughout as they are easier to handle, can play around with the colour/texture, less toxic and easier, quicker to use.
I am interested in painting wooden furniture to reuse in a new home. I have a table with chairs and hutch, end tables and a coffee table that I want to give a new look to. Also, since the dining and living room connect, should I paint all wooden pieces to match? I am very new at painting to re-use!
You want to paint furniture a COLOR? Why not stain it? Wood is so beautiful!
If the furniture has a shiny coat, it will need a good sanding. After you sand you will have to prime the furniture first. It may look blotchy after you prime but this is normal, it is just to cover the wood so the paint will have good adhesion. Then paint with the color of your choice. When you go and buy the paint let them know what you will be using it for and they will suggest the right paint for the job.
I agree with both. You can paint everything one color and it no longer matters if they match. I have done this with white and it really brings a bright and light color to the room. Stains have also come a long way, and you can get cool colors, so take some time and go see your paint expert. Even if you don't buy the paint there, they can be of invaluable service.
I'm with Glen'sMom- wood tones are ALWAYS in style- your shapes/styles can be mismatched, but think about doing all of them in the same tone, with a stain- wood is a "natural" classic, and will never go out of style! Surprisingly, most woods will take stain in the same family of color, even if it's a different tint- and will look fantastic together, as a group.
If you have furniture that you don't like for some reason. Even its shape or style, paint will give it an entirely new look. I suggest black, but would consider charcoal. My tastes tend toward contemporary. If you are "into" country style, use white. Good luck
I've had great success with an inexpensive product called liquid sandpaper. This is applied to the furniture right before you paint your first coat. It leaves the surface dull and tacky and helps the paint adhere. We salvaged an old, unattractive bedroom suite this way. It was blonde wood, very 60s, very dated. The right paint color made it look fantastic and contemporary. I also pray painted the metal handles and saved a lot of money. We purchased it from a private party for $85 for the whole set. It also came with an almost new (guest room use) box spring and mattress. It has served us well for years. Good luck!
I had an old dresser given to me that was still solid but looked very used! I just sanded it a little to rough it up a bit. Then use regular white enamel paint from Walmart to paint it. Spray painted the handles with gold paint.
Then I put rub-on decals on it. Turned out really nice. I did this 10 years ago and I'm still using it in my bedroom.
I am very happy with the finished dresser. The enamel paint also makes it easy to wash if needed.
I have a shelf/coat hanger made out of unfinished pine. I would like to paint it distressed black. Does anyone have a good, easy way of doing this?
Do you want some of the grain of the wood to show? If so, thin your paint with water (about 1/2 paint, 1/2 water and apply. You can distress the wood by hitting it with sharp objects ie, hammer, pick, chains. Etc. If you do not wish to have the grain show, then I think you would just paint it after distressing it. If you thin your paint and your wood is very yellow underneath, it might end up looking green, so I would try it on the back somewhere first.
Paint it black and then sand it with sand paper. Or if you would like another color to show through, paint the undercoat one color and then black, then sand, it will bring out the undercoat.
I would prime first and, yes, if you want the grain to show sand it a little first.
I need to repaint a baby bed. What kind of paint is safe? I have started using an enamel based paint. Is this OK? It has a flat feeling to it. Could I use a gloss over it? Ideas anyone?
First make sure the paint is lead free. The paints I have used all stated that they were safe for infants and toddlers. I would reccomend reading the label, if in doubt ask someone where the paint was purchased. Take Care ! JAN
i would check with say sherwin willams cause this paint will go in the babys mouth better safe than sorry
I believe the best paint is Milk Paint you can find it on the internet if you google "Milk Paint" and also non toxic paint you will find links . Try this link
www.eartheasy.com/
Gina
I'm trying to paint a piece of furniture black with a dull finish, but it has a shine. How do I dull it?
By Michelle
The type of paint you have chosen must be a gloss. You need to purchase paint with a matte finish.
It all depends on the type of paint you are using. I'm assuming that you are trying to go for a "chalkpaint" look. You must use a flat paint to get a flat finish.
How do I paint old furniture?
By Jack Zhang from New York City
It's pretty easy. Lightly sand the whole piece. Don't worry about sanding every inch, but sand as much as you can. Then wipe or dry brush all the sanding dust off. Then paint on a coat of primer, something like Kilz. Then put on two coats of paint and you are done. I'd recommend using acrylic/latex paint. You can paint it solid or with a design or any decoration you want. You can put a clear coat finish on it, but you don't have to. You can also find books at the library or websites about how to paint furniture too. Have fun!
if it's a good piece of furniture I'd recommend a liquid stripper first and a light sanding as well as a primer. If the piece is worth redoing it's worth doing right. That insures no peeling of the new paint and no paint filled corners etc which happens when you can't get all the old paint off. This only take an extra couple of hours and is well worth the professional look you get.
I have just painted my daughter's room to match a comforter set we bought. The top half is white, the bottom is chocolate brown, and a dark pink stripe goes around the middle. I repainted an old bedroom set tan (it was originally off white/yellow?). I'm afraid that now the finish may be too light. Should I try using the brown wall paint and a decorating finish on the furniture or leave it alone?
Could you highlight the bedroom set with chocolate and pink? Like chocolate drawer fronts with pink knobs. Or maybe decorate it with some kind of stencil? I don't think you should paint it brown like the walls because it will disappear into them.
Hi, try painting a large piece of wood the tan color and then sponge paint the darker color over it,do it a couple of different ways to see if you like it and then paint your furniture .If you didn't like it you haven't ruined your furniture.
My new custom made bed (pine) was treated with linseed oil. I was assured it's non-toxic. Well, it has been 2 weeks, and the bed still emits an odor. It gives me a sore throat and cough. What can be done? Can I paint it over with a latex paint? I am allergic to all household chemicals, so the paint should contain no VOCs.
By Irena from Portland, OR
Try washing it with a damp cloth, mix water and vinegar,about half & half. You need to ask a place that sells paint about painting over it, good luck.
