Painting your Furniture Like a Pro
One of the best ways to revive and update your furniture is to give it a fresh lick of paint. You often find that certain items of furniture can become tired and old, or maybe you feel the current colour is out of season or dated. Resolving these minor issues is so simple, you just have to repaint them to the colour you wish them to be! The great thing about painting your furniture is that you have the choice to create the exact look you want, and you can change it over and over again to suit you. As with most things, there are specific ways to paint your furniture, and the last thing you want to do is make any mistakes that will result in your furniture being ruined!
Strip Down your Furniture
First things first, remove all hardware. Any handles, pulls or other additional features need to be removed so that you can paint the surface properly and they wont get in the way. If you have an older furniture piece, such as an old oak chest of drawers, you may find that there has been a coat of wax or varnish, which will need sanding down before you begin to paint. Once youve prepared your furniture properly, give it a quick wipe down to ensure no bits are going to get in the way of your paint!
Prepare and Prime
Next you need to prime your furniture. Paint your furniture piece with either a multi-surface, or wood primer. The primer will act as a bond between the wood and the paint and will help the paint sit perfectly. Primer is ideal for durability, as it prevents any chipping or scratching on the paintwork once dry. You usually only need one or two coats of primer, dependant on the size of your furniture item. You can always tell once applied whether or not you need additional coats of primer, so once the first layer is dry, feel the area and decide whether you feel there is enough coverage or not.
Paint like a Pro
The next step is often the most exciting, as its choosing your paint. Your furniture plays a huge part a room's overall look and feel, and therefore its important to keep the furniture fresh and bold to make a nice, strong impact. The colour you choose to paint your furniture should fit perfectly with the rest of your interiors, so decide exactly what style and theme you wish to go for before picking your paint. Paint is available in a range of gloss, satin and matte finishes, which will all work well for furniture. The type you go for will be the type that works best for you and your home. The glossier your paintwork is, the less likely it is to scratch or chip. Its also much easier to clean a gloss finish paint in comparison to matte finishes.
The End Result
After applying the desired number of coats, leave your furniture to dry properly. Once youre confident that the paintwork is completely dry, you can then dust down your furniture piece and admire your handywork. You will now have a beautifully transformed piece of furniture to add to your home and brighten your interiors and lift the atmosphere too!