The best paint for furniture is an essential for refreshing the most treasured piece within your home, whether that's a chair or a dresser. You truly can bring a family hand-me-down back to life or spruce up a second-hand find with these wonderful paints for all sorts of projects for a small expense. This round-up includes a range of paint types with durable finishes, which you can use on a variety of furniture, to get started on your next DIY project.
When it comes to picking out the perfect paint for you, there are a few key considerations before you get to the fun part (picking out the shade). The style you need, as well as your level of expertise with painting, and how you want the overall finish to be should all contribute to your final decision. We've got all the paints you need to look over right here, as well as lots of advice to help you on your way from our first-hand experience of trying these paints in our homes.
First time painting furniture? Check out our article, how to paint furniture, for the full how-to.
How to choose the right furniture paint
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As we mentioned, the best furniture paint for your job will depend on what the piece is made of, your skill level (and patience), and the look you're going for.
In general, there a few different paint types available for furniture.
Chalk paint is a water-based paint with a matte finish that's ideal for painting wood pieces. It's beloved by DIYers because it's incredibly easy to use: chalk paint requires no sanding or prep work before use, and because it's low or no-VOC, you can DIY indoors. Chalk paint can also be easily distressed, so if often used by those who want an antique finish. At the same time, because it's water based, chalk-paint is only suited for indoor projects, and if you plan to use it in a high-touch situation (like a dresser) you'll likely want to seal it with a polyurethane or wax before use.
Spray paint is another easy-to-use furniture paint, but it's more durable than chalk paint. Spray paint will adhere to nearly any surface: metal, wood, plastic, ceramic, glass, and more, and there are varieties suited to indoor and outdoor use. It's also inexpensive, and the easiest paint to use if you want a smooth look with no brushstrokes. The one drawback to spray paint is that it produces a lot of fumes, so it needs to be used outside and with a respirator and goggles. Spray painted pieces can also smell like chemicals for a few days, so you'll want to give them some time to offgas before bringing them indoors.
Latex furniture paint can also be used to paint a range of surfaces, including wood furniture, cabinet doors, metal, masonry, plaster, and unglazed ceramic. It's more durable than chalk paint, but also requires more prep work and dry time between coats. You'll need to sand down and prime old wood furniture that already has a finish or coat of paint on it. If you're working with unfinished wood, you'll need a coat or two of primer before painting. If you want a lasting finish, or are planning to use your furniture outdoors, go for a latex paint, followed up by a few coats of polyurethane.
For more tips on how to choose the best furniture paint, skip to the bottom of the page.
What is the best furniture paint?
We think the best furniture paint you can buy is the Rust-Oleum Chalked Furniture Paint. It requires no sanding or priming before use so it's great for all skill levels, it's available in nine different colors and it's easy to apply and low-VOC.
However, if shabby chic isn't your thing or you want something more durable, then a furniture pain with various finishes is the best way to get the look you want. Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch Ultra Cover Paint comes in satin or gloss finishes, which are better suited to more contemporary or formal interior design styles.
Rust-Oleum isn't the only option for durable, high-quality furniture paint, though. Read on to find out which other options we love for transforming old furniture, including top picks for spray paint fans, and an option for those looking for custom-color paints.
The best furniture paints you can buy
If you want to give a DIY project a go but don’t have loads of time to spend on it, then this Rust-Oleum Chalked Furniture Paint is a great go-to for easy furniture painting. After sampling this product in our home we found that no sanding or priming was required before application, and as it’s a water-based product, it didn’t smell too potent or give off strong fumes, so it could easily be applied indoors with just a few sheets of newspaper laid down for protection.
It does, however, mean that it can only be used on interior furniture, as the paint would not fare very well in the elements. With nine colors to choose from, including coastal blue, linen white, blush pink, and and aged grey, there is a range of possibilities for transforming your old furniture into something truly unique. The matte finish also makes it a great pick for those who love a farmhouse or shabby-chic look. However, this paint also works for projects that won't live in a modern farmhouse -- to give it a more contemporary vibe, simply add a topcoat of a glossy polyurethane. This will also improve the durability of the product, too.
Do your kitchen cabinets look a little worse for the wear? If so, then Valspar's Cabinet Enamel Semi-Gloss Latex Paint can quickly and easily make them look brand new again. This is a durable paint that goes on smoothly and leaves a smooth, hard finish that won’t show any signs of brush marks. The paint can be custom-colored, so you can choose from Valspar's extensive color library. Note that this paint works best with sanded or de-glossed cabinets, and you may require a primer if you're going from a dark to a light color.
Check out our guide to how to paint kitchen cabinets if you're looking for an affordable way to upgrade your space.
This Rust-Oleum Gloss Furniture Paint is for use on a multitude of surfaces, including wood, metal, plaster, masonry or unglazed ceramic, and it's durable enough for outdoor use, too. You’ll find it’s hinier than the standard satin paint, which gives refinished pieces a more professional-looking finish. It comes in 10 colors ranging from classic neutrals to bold brights, like hunter green and apple red. We've used the red, navy, and white shades, all to great success.
We love this paint because a little goes a long way (we've use a quart to cover an entire dresser, which we primed first), and it dries to the touch in just 30 minutes, so you don't have to wait long to apply a second coat.
A few things to note: Gloss paint can be a bit trickier to work with that matte, since if you go back over your brush strokes too many times, the finish won't look even. If you're a DIY newbie, chalk paint with a gloss topcoat might be a better option, but DIY veterans should have no problem. We've also found it works best with a primer on wood pieces, especially items that were previously stained. Also, while it's a water-based acrylic paint and has a mild odor, we still recommend using it in an outdoor area or well-ventilated room.
Like other chalk paints, Behr Interior Chalk Decorative Paint is a breeze to use since it adheres to most pieces without the use of primer. It's ideal for DIY newbies, and painting furniture pieces like sideboards, dining chairs, and table legs. This paint glides on to give a flat, matte finish that is strong enough to withstand wear and tear and will not rub off with general use unless you have specifically distressed it that way.
If you prefer a more contemporary look or want a little more durability, you can pair the paint with Behr's sealing wax to achieve a satin finish. The wax comes in clear, white, and brown, which you can use to create a whitewashed or antique look.
One of the best parts about this paint, however, is the number of color options. It's tintable, so you can choose from virtually any color in Behr's library. That's 500+ options for finding the perfect shade.
If you want to give a small piece new life, and fast, spray paint is the way to go. Our favorite is Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch 2X Spray Paint, which we've used on everything from old planters, to thrifted nightstands, to inexpensive picture frames.
We recommend this for small jobs for a few reasons. One, there are lots of fumes, so small jobs minimize exposure. Plus, after a while, your finger will get tired from holding down the spray trigger, which is when drips and smudges tend to appear. Spray paint is also super quick to use, so there's no need to get out (and clean) a paint roller, brush, and tray for a small project.
You'll find this paint comes in tons of color options, from subtle blues and neutrals, to fire-engine reds and mustard yellow. Many of the neutral shades come in varying finishes, like high gloss or matte. If you can't find a color in your desired finish, you can simply spray your project in the 2X clear paint, which comes in gloss, semi-gloss, or matte.
One final note on spray paint: If you use it, you must wear a respirator, even if it's done outside. We like this option from 3M, which you use with cartridge filters.
This matte-finish paint, part of Benjamin Moore's Arborcoat line, is perfect for painting outdoor furniture like wooden swings, Adirondack chairs, and picnic tables. It's durable, mold and mildew resistant, and can be tinted in any of the thousands of colors Benjamin Moore offers. One thing to note: there are a number of Benjamin Moore Arborcoat products, but only the solid stain is tintable in all colors.
Find Benjamin Moore paint at Ace Hardware.
True, Behr's chalk paint can be custom ordered in hundred of colors. But, if you're looking to save yourself a trip to your local hardware store, check out Country Chic Chalk-Style paint. It can be ordered online in 55 different colors, including multiple shades of white, 10+ shades of green, gorgeous pinks, black, and more.
Like other chalk-style paint we've tried, Country Chic paint went on easily and smoothly, dried quickly, and was virtually odorless. We used a gray-blue hue called Elegance to paint an antique wooden desk chair, and after two coats of paint it looked good as new. We also used Country Chic's Hemp Oil to seal the piece and make the finish more durable, but note that doing so did darken the color a touch.
How to buy the best furniture paint
Choosing the type of furniture paint that will work best for your project will depend on a few key factors:
The function of the piece you're painting
Different paints offer different levels of durability, so it's important to consider the way you plan to use a piece before choosing a paint.
Chalk paint, for example, is easy to apply and low-VOC, and makes a great paint choice for decorative accents like mirrors or accent furniture. But, it can tend to chip and wear over time on surfaces that'll get a lot of everyday use, like the top of a coffee table or a cabinet door. If you love the look of chalk paint but need a more durable solution, you can either seal the paint with a wax or polyurethane, or opt for a more durable paint in a matte finish.
Acrylic paints, like Rust-Oleum's Painter's Touch line and Benjamin Moore's Arborcoat, are typically more durable than chalk paint because they can be wiped and scrubbed, and cure to a hard finish that's more resistant to scratches.
The finish you're going for
The finish of the paint you choose will impact both the look and the function of your furniture. Gloss paints feel more contemporary, while matte paints are suited for farmhouse or shabby-chic decor. Satin or semi-gloss finishes are versatile enough to suit any design style.
As far as function goes, gloss, semi-gloss, and eggshell paints are wipeable and easier to clean than matte, flat, or chalk finishes. Different paints come in a different range of finishes, so you'll want to look for one that offers the level of sheen you want, or be prepared to add a sealer or top coat to achieve it.
The range of colors
Color is typically the biggest reason people paint furniture in the first place, so you'll also want to be sure the paint you choose comes in a color you love. Tintable paints, like Valspar's cabinet enamel, come in hundreds of color options, and most can even be color matched to a shade from a different manufacturer (say, if you had your heart set on a Benjamin Moore color but wanted to use a Valspar paint, or vice versa).
Spray paint and chalk paint, on the other hand, are generally offered in a set range of colors.
The amount of prep work you want to do
If you're looking to do a simple refresh on a piece that's in good repair, and don't want to spend a ton of time on your DIY project, chalky paint is the quickest, easiest way to go. That's because chalk paint doesn't require a sanded or primed surface (although you'll often get longer-lasting results if you complete those steps), or a sealer.
With acrylic and oil-based paints, deglazing, sanding, and priming are recommended, and you may need a coat of polyurethane depending on how you'll use the piece and how long you want it to last.
For all things paint related, check our dedicated hub page.
Where to buy furniture paint
About this review & reviewer
Kaitlin Madden Armon is the Executive Editor of Homes & Gardens and was previously the Editor in Chief of Real Homes. No stranger to a can of furniture paint, some of her favorite pieces of furniture have been found on the side of the road, at the Goodwill, through Facebook marketplace, and yes, even at the dump. She's used just about every type of furniture paint that's on sale at Home Depot (and then some), including spray paint, chalk paint, outdoor furniture paint, and latex furniture paint to give these pieces new life. Check out her furniture upcycles on Instagram at @kaitmadden.
