The best kind of paint for painting furniture depends on the type of furniture you are painting, the look you are trying to achieve, and your personal preferences. Here are a few options to consider: Chalk Paint: Chalk paint is a popular option for furniture painting as it requires minimal preparation, adheres well to most surfaces, and dries to a matte, velvety finish. It's also easy to distress or create a vintage look with chalk paint. Milk Paint: Milk paint is a natural, water-based paint that gives a matte, slightly translucent finish. It works well on unfinished or raw wood furniture and can be used to create a variety of looks, from a rustic, weathered appearance to a smooth, modern finish. Acrylic Paint: Acrylic paint is a versatile option that can be used on most types of furniture, including wood, metal, and plastic. It dries quickly, is easy to clean up, and comes in a wide range of colors and finishes. Oil-Based Paint: Oil-based paint is durable and provides a smooth, glossy finish, making it a good choice for high-use furniture like tables and chairs. However, it can be more difficult to work with and requires solvents for cleanup. Ultimately, the best paint for your furniture will depend on the specific piece you are painting, the look you want to achieve, and your own preferences and skill level. Be sure to choose a paint that is appropriate for the surface you are painting, and follow the manufacturer's instructions for preparation, application, and cleanup. Answer from jsowoodproducts on reddit.com
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Refresh Living
refreshliving.us › home › the best paint for furniture (i’ve tested them all!)
The Best Paint for Furniture (I've tested them ALL!) • Refresh Living
February 20, 2025 - Use a top coat if you are using flat or matte. No topcoat needed if using eggshell (enamel), satin, semi-gloss, or gloss · Wall paint works really well on raw, unfinished wood. If painting on finished furniture, I would highly recommend priming before painting.
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Frugal Mum
frugalmum.co.uk › home › what is the best paint for painting / upcycling furniture? (a pros/cons review)
What is the best paint for painting / upcycling furniture? (A pros/cons review)
February 20, 2025 - Check out this paint and the colours available on the Wilko website. PROS: I used Dulux Quick Dry Satinwood to paint all of the woodwork in our house and I love it! It goes on really easily and it still looks perfect (and bright white) five years later.
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Designer Trapped
designertrapped.com › home › diy › the best paint for furniture of every type
The Best Paint for Furniture of Every Type
March 18, 2025 - It is my personal favorite and the furniture paint I reach for the most often. I have never been sponsored or paid by Fusion Mineral Paint–I'm just a big fan! I've never been sponsored or paid by Fusion Mineral Paint, but they have generously ...
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Frenchic Paint
frenchicpaint.co.uk › home › indoor furniture paint
Indoor Furniture Paint | Frenchic
Whether you’re upcycling a rocking chair, sprucing up built-in furniture or transforming a chest of drawers – including the handles – Frenchic Paint makes it easy to achieve impressive, long-lasting results.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/homerenovations › what is the best kind of paint for painting furniture?
r/homerenovations on Reddit: What is the best kind of paint for painting furniture?
October 24, 2022 -

Hi everyone! I want to re-do some of my furniture in my house and then hopefully get into furniture flipping! I would appreciate any advice on how to get painted furniture to last? What’s the best kind of paint? I’m trying to find the differences in cabinet vs chalk paints and what different paints do/mean, as well as if I should put waterproof poly on the tops of dressers and things like that. However, I can’t really find any answers online. If I would ever sell anything I want it to stand the test of time like I want things in my own house to. Please any and all advice is appreciated!

Top answer
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Not the cabinet paint from Home Depot. Even with cabinet primer, it is mediocre at best... More seriously, for high quality paint finishes on furniture that will last: remove all the hardware: hinges, pulls, everything degrease: use tsp or a comparable degreaser to completely clean the piece sand: at least scuffing the finish is required. You can't get a lasting finish by painting on top of a glossy topcoat prime: especially if the piece has a dark stain on it or if you plan on painting it white. Use one that's appropriate for your paint paint: high quality, oil based paints and enamels are harder to work with, but give a harder and longer lasting coating. Chalk paint applied with a big sloppy brush will always look like exactly that. Some purple like that look. Otherwise, apply with a sprayer for the cleanest, most professional finish (you can get a workable setup for under $100).
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The best kind of paint for painting furniture depends on the type of furniture you are painting, the look you are trying to achieve, and your personal preferences. Here are a few options to consider: Chalk Paint: Chalk paint is a popular option for furniture painting as it requires minimal preparation, adheres well to most surfaces, and dries to a matte, velvety finish. It's also easy to distress or create a vintage look with chalk paint. Milk Paint: Milk paint is a natural, water-based paint that gives a matte, slightly translucent finish. It works well on unfinished or raw wood furniture and can be used to create a variety of looks, from a rustic, weathered appearance to a smooth, modern finish. Acrylic Paint: Acrylic paint is a versatile option that can be used on most types of furniture, including wood, metal, and plastic. It dries quickly, is easy to clean up, and comes in a wide range of colors and finishes. Oil-Based Paint: Oil-based paint is durable and provides a smooth, glossy finish, making it a good choice for high-use furniture like tables and chairs. However, it can be more difficult to work with and requires solvents for cleanup. Ultimately, the best paint for your furniture will depend on the specific piece you are painting, the look you want to achieve, and your own preferences and skill level. Be sure to choose a paint that is appropriate for the surface you are painting, and follow the manufacturer's instructions for preparation, application, and cleanup.
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The Spruce
thespruce.com › best-paint-for-furniture-4589613
The 6 Best Paint Types for Furniture
October 24, 2025 - Chalky paint dries fast, which is a plus, but this also means brush strokes can be seen if you revisit an area for a touch-up once the paint has started to dry. For best results, practice on a scrap piece of furniture.
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Craving Some Creativity
cravingsomecreativity.com › home › home remodeling › furniture makeovers › 4 best furniture paints in 2026
4 Best Furniture Paints in 2026 • Craving Some Creativity
3 days ago - After spray painting many projects, my favorite brand of spray paint for wood and metal is Rustoleum Universal. Prep the surface well and you can add a topcoat if you wish. You can see our DIY painted refrigerator here.
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Little Greene
littlegreene.com › advice-hub › refreshing-wooden-furniture
A Guide To Painting Your Wooden Furniture | Little Greene
For hardwoods, seal the entire piece. 3. Stir your Intelligent Satin paint thoroughly before use. Apply the first coat evenly and allow it to dry for four hours. 4. After four hours, apply a second coat of Intelligent Satin.
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The Paint Shed
thepaintshed.com › home
Furniture Upcycling: What Paint to Use on Wooden Furniture?
The Tikkurila Helmi range also features a primer, this is also safe for use on childrens toys and furniture meaning you don’t need to worry about any limitations when it comes to enhancing the appearance of wooden furniture throughout your home, including cots, bannisters and more. ... Tikirulla Helmi is more expensive than other furniture paints on the market, however is a high quality, dependable choice
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Benjamin Moore
benjaminmoore.com › en-ca › interior-exterior-paints-stains › how-to-advice › interiors › painting-indoor-furniture
How to Paint Indoor Furniture | Benjamin Moore
Professional painters prefer ADVANCE Interior paint for painting wood furniture: it offers a durable, furniture-like finish that is easy to apply and easy to clean. ADVANCE works beautifully for painting laminate furniture as well. You can find ADVANCE exclusively at your local Benjamin Moore ...
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The Home Depot
homedepot.com › diy projects & ideas › home decor ideas › paint ideas & projects
How to Paint Furniture - The Home Depot
March 25, 2025 - Paints are available in finishes ranging from matte to satin to shiny high-gloss. Another option is milk paint or chalk paint. Artisans love these options for the chippy, distressed finishes they can create. For wood furniture, it's best to use a latex or an oil-based paint.
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ABQ Mom
abqmom.com › home › blog › how to paint furniture without sanding
How to Paint Furniture Without Sanding
May 29, 2025 - Follow this step-by-step guide to paint furniture without sanding. I recommend priming, painting, and finishing with a polycrylic top coat.
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B&Q
diy.com › home › ideas & advice › painting & decorating › painting › choosing the best paint for your furniture
Choosing the best furniture paint at B&Q
The best paint for wood furniture is smooth, long-lasting, and beautifully enhances the material’s natural charm. If your furniture is older or uneven, starting with a primer will help create a smooth, durable base. Want a soft, modern vibe? Go for a matt finish. Prefer a touch of elegance? Satinwood paint might be your answer. Finally, choose paint that can withstand daily use and still looks great for items like dining tables or chairs.
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Renovated Faith
renovatedfaith.com › home › projects › furniture tips & makeovers › furniture painting tips › the best furniture paint (24 top brands blind tested & reviewed!)
The Best Furniture Paint (24 Top Brands Blind Tested & Reviewed!)
November 26, 2023 - The best paint for laminate furniture is Benjamin Moore Advance as it tested to be the best paint on wooden and laminate surfaces like IKEA furniture. Be sure to use a thick coat of primer on laminate pieces and sand the laminate really well ...
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Erin Spain
erinspain.com › home › blog › how to paint furniture: a beginner’s guide
How To Paint Furniture: A Beginner's Guide - Erin Spain
I realize that some of my readers are furniture painting veterans, but many of you are not. This guide applies to real wood furniture – I will talk about painting laminate another time. Ok, so let’s get down to business. ... Topcoat (I like MinwaxPolycrylic and Finishing Wax. I also loveMinwax Satin Wipe-On Poly for stained pieces.)
Published   January 17, 2022
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Colorantic
colorantic.com › domicile › colorantic products updates › what paint to choose to paint wood furniture?
What Paint to Choose to Paint Wood Furniture? - Colorantic
February 20, 2025 - Colorantic chalk-based painting is the best paint for furniture and a great choice for all your DIY projects It has better coverage than ordinary paint and not not only is it easy to use, but its rich pigments and creamy consistency deliver ...
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WhipperBerry
whipperberry.com › best-paint-for-furniture
The Best Paint for Furniture - What you NEED to Know
October 3, 2025 - Here are some of the most common paint types for painting wood furniture: Chalk paint is so trendy right now! It’s perfect if you want your furniture to have a velvety matte finish.
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Paintmaster
paintmaster.co.uk › home › painting guide › best paint for furniture
Best Paint for Furniture - Best Furniture Paint
April 28, 2025 - However, for the fiddlier parts, a paint brush is essential to guarantee an even coverage. Wooden furniture can be painted with a range of paints, all with their pros and cons. Latex, oil-based, acrylic, as well as milk and chalk paint can all ...
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Huntcountryfurniture
huntcountryfurniture.com › blogs › hunt-country-furniture-blog › what-kind-of-paint-to-use-on-wood-furniture-the-pros-and-cons
What Kind of Paint To Use On Wood Furniture: The Pros and Cons – HUNT Country Furniture
November 18, 2022 - When you buy wood furniture at flea markets and garage sales, you would want to repaint it to make it your own. If you also have old pieces that you want to revamp, a fresh coat of vibrance should make them look like new. With the information we provided and their pros and cons listed, you can pick out the right paint for your needs.
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Mumsnet
mumsnet.com › home › talk › home decoration
What paint to use to paint wood furniture | Mumsnet
March 2, 2024 - I used chalk paint on my old pine bedroom furniture in the spare room. You don’t need to sand or prime. The first coat looks ropey then magically on the second coat it all smooths out and looks fantastic.