Do's & Dont's: Painting Furniture with Chalk Paint / Milk Paint

I’ve never excelled in artistic endeavors, and I’ve learned that producing quality makeovers when painting furniture requires some basic artistic skills. . . there is a learning curve to producing pieces that are professional, attractive, and will be timeless in your decor. I’ve also included examples pulled from pieces I have found for sale on Craigslist around the country: Taking too much sanding paper to a piece results in a look that is unnatural and unprofessional. Adding some slight distressing in appropriate places brings out depth and character to a piece. While I admire the artistic talents of the individuals who painted these pieces, I can’t say their skills are best used on furniture.

I think it’s best to save the intricate designs for wall art that you can more easily change out over time. Subtle hand-painting on a furniture piece appeals to a much broader audience and will last longer in your decorative space. A sleek mid-century modern sideboard just doesn’t look right painted in a primitive, heavily distressed style.

This may be a personal preference, but I see so many tables painted in dark brown or black on top rather than refinished with wood stain.

If you want to create a stained wood top on a table or dresser, it is more professional (and longer lasting) to actually refinish and stain the wood instead of using dark paint. DO learn how to strip, sand, and re-stain to create beautiful wood finishes . . .

Sanding and refinishing bare wood may sound intimidating, but it really isn’t! But the more pieces I do, the more I learn what works and what doesn’t in the world of painted furniture. I realize everybody has their own taste and style, so enjoy creating pieces that fit your unique vision but that also have a broad and timeless appeal.

I have found Fusion to be more affordable to to produce more durable results, all without the need to finish with wax. PS – If you think your furniture painting friends would find this helpful, I’d be honored if you’d share the love where ever you typically share things (Facebook, Pinterest, Email).