Best paint for furniture – 9 quick and easy paints for upcycling

If you want to spruce up furniture that's made from melamine - as well as wooden furniture - then Ronseal One Coat Cupboard & Melamine Paint is a great option. Specifically formulated to adhere to melamine surfaces, this paint is easy to apply with a brush in just one coat. While you don’t need a primer, it’s best to apply two coats if you are painting over a dark colour with a lighter tone. It's worth noting that we found this paint takes a lot longer to dry than other paints, and you need to allow between 12-24 hours drying time before applying another coat. But the smooth coverage and professional-looking sheen make it worthwhile. 

If you don't fancy a gloss or satin sheen to your furniture makeover then B&Q's GoodHome Flat Matt Furniture Paint is a durable and hardwearing matt option. It's formulated to be resistant to water and household cleaners, which can be rare in a matt paint, so is useful for furniture that's likely to be in need of a freshen up from time to time. It's a self-priming paint, so you won't need to buy a separate primer, and offers good value for money with excellent coverage - although just note the price shown is for a 500ml tin rather than 750ml like most of our other options.

If you’re after a shabby chic look, then Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint has become one of the go-to brands for a distressed or vintage look. Hugely popular for furniture upcycling, the thick paint formula creates a rustic look where brush marks are welcomed, and the bonus is it's incredibly easy to use. This paint's thicker viscosity hides a multitude of sins, and there's no need to sand or prime your surfaces before use - music to the ears of those of us who want to upcycle but are pushed for time! Simply add a little water to make the paint consistency smooth and you can easily apply it in just two coats. 

If you’re after an organic paint that does less harm to the environment and won't bring toxins into your home, then Olds Fashioned Milk Paints are a great choice. Based upon ancient recipes, the formula is comprised of milk protein (casein), lime and natural earth or minerals, making it 100% non-toxic, VOC-free, food-safe and eco-friendly, and ensuring it's much safer for babies and young children - so a good option for upcycling nursery, playroom or bedroom furniture. There is a little more labour involved with this option, as the paint powder comes in a bag which you need to mix with an equal amount of warm water before stirring thoroughly. The chalky results are impressive, leaving a rustic, distressed finish that totally transforms dull furniture. 

Frenchic is a well-loved brand within the Ideal Home team as our go-to brand for giving our (often secondhand) pieces of furniture a new lease of life. 'I always use Frenchic for upcycling – it goes on so smoothly, has great coverage, doesn’t leave brush streaks and the colours are lovely! I also use an upcycling brush with a round head to apply the paint and then do smaller details with a craft brush (the sort you get from Hobbycraft for painting),' says Content Editor, Holly Reaney. 'Once I’ve finished painting, usually three coats, I seal it with Frenchic’s Clear Wax which I apply with kitchen roll.'

Rust-Oleum is known for its hardwearing nature, making it the perfect choice for furniture that you need to be hardwearing. Their chalky-finish furniture paint has a smooth touch and a flat matt finish, bringing a new lease of life to old pieces of furniture. It has virtually no odour which is great if you lack outdoor space and have to do your DIY inside and most surfaces won't require sanding or priming before using this paint. You can even paint straight over old paint and varnish if you want a super speedy refresh. 

Farrow & Ball is one of the most luxe paint brands, and one you definitely want to name-drop when guests ask what colour your walls are. Well, you can impress them even more when your chest of drawers has been transformed in a stylish shade. 'Dead Flat paint is an ultra-durable, flat matt paint that is perfect for furniture and other high-traffic areas,' says Michael Rolland, Managing Director at The Paint Shed. 'The scuff-resistant and scrubbable nature of the paint makes it perfect for use on interior woodwork.'

While Little Greene, Intelligent Eggshell, is a paint typically used for interior walls and woodwork, it's great for furniture too. It's durable and easy to clean, so you won't need to worry about damaging paintwork on areas like a table that needs regular cleaning. The brand is also known for its array of on-trend colours, so you can easily upgrade your old furniture with the latest Instagram-ready shades. It's also resistant to moisture, stains, and will withstand wear and tear. 

If you're looking for a high-quality paint that isn't as expensive as Farrow & Ball or Little Greene then Tikkurila will be a handy choice. It's a traditional alkyd eggshell used for wooden furniture in the home, whether new or upcycled. It's easy to apply and has a semi-matt finish which will suit most pieces. Just wait a full 24 hours before reapplying a second coat and use a brush or spray for seamless results.