Painting furniture - our favourite projects

Bring tired furniture back to life with these easy DIY paint jobs

dressing room with painting furniture in pink colour
(Image credit: TBC)

Painting furniture is a quick, easy and inexpensive way to create a unique piece for your home. With such a wide variety of paint colours and finishes available, you can tailor your approach to fit in exactly with the style of your home.

Whether you're looking for a crafty project to get stuck into over the weekend or looking to give a room a shabby chic feel, painting furniture is a great place to start.

As with all paint projects, the end result is actually determined by the prep! Make sure to spend a little time removing any surface dust and dirt with sugar soap or washing up liquid and water, then thoroughly dry the piece before sanding down any problem areas.

There is a whole range of techniques available for you to try, from roller ragging to stencilling or simply colour blocking with your favourite shades. Visible brushwork adds texture and a bohemian feel, tapping into the painterly patterns trend and is great for adding two colours in an ombre effect.

Try using low-tack masking tape to add stripes or geometric shapes to the front of a chest of drawers for a modern scheme, or wax the edges of a dresser then paint in a chalky white paint and sand back to create a vintage French effect.

Paint effects are back - the perfect weekend craft project

From stencilling to upcycling vintage furniture or painting a stair runner, these inspiring ideas will brighten your home.

Transform a console table with stripes

table with painting furniture and white flooring

(Image credit: TBC)

Go wild with rainbow colours and modern designs

Do you have a table that punches below its weight? Maybe it's too ordinary, or it has simply seen better days. The temptation is to throw it out and invest in a new one. Before you do that, think about upcycling it with paint. With a few nifty DIY craft moves, you can completely transform your tired console table and add some character at the same time.

How to reinvent a bathroom washstand

bathroom table with mirror and flower vase

(Image credit: TBC)

Use a bold colour to brighten up a boring bathroom scheme

It's not often that we think about using paint in the bathroom, but it is easy to revitalise your bathroom cabinetry or washstand with a few coats of paint. Dramatic and bold shades such as this handpainted cobalt blue cabinetry will add drama to a bathroom. If you decide to go bright, pair the strong paint colour with pale finishes and timbers, and keep the space clutter-free for a modern finish that feels light and accessible

Pack a punch with our colourful painted cabinet idea

bathroom stoarge with colourful cabinet and wooden flooring

(Image credit: TBC)

Follow these steps to add a pop of colour to bathroom storage

Thinking about painting furniture? Give a dull-looking cabinet a new lease of life by transforming it into a stylish piece with upcycling. Bring it up to date by lining it with a piece of stylish wallpaper, and paint the wooden frame a bright, co-ordinating colour.

For more decorating, craft ideas and cleaning hacks don't miss our dedicated DIY guide.

Heather Young
Editor

Heather Young has been Ideal Home’s Editor since late 2020, and Editor-In-Chief since 2023. She is an interiors journalist and editor who’s been working for some of the UK’s leading interiors magazines for over 20 years, both in-house and as a freelancer.