The Best Paint for Furniture

There’s chalk paint, latex paint, 2 types of milk paint, and enamel paint too. It’s so easy to get confused when it comes to picking paint for your dresser, table or nightstands. So here is a breakdown of the best paint for furniture, to get the best results.

Learn more about the different types of paint for furniture here.

6 different types of paint that I have tried when painting furniture — Pictured are some types of paint you can use on wood or laminate furniture.

Table of Contents

What is the Best Paint for Furniture?

Picking the right paint can really make or break your furniture project.

In the furniture painting world there is:

Latex Paint
Chalk Paint
Acrylic Paint
Powdered Milk Paint
Pigmented Poly
Alkyd Paint (Waterborne paint that is Oil)
One Step Paint

*This is not an exhaustive list. But a list of the most popular combined with the ones I’ve tried.

They all can work for wood, or laminated (the plastic feeling stuff) furniture, but the way they work, and how to use them may differ.

On top of that, the end result (the finish or style) can really change depending on what paint you use.

(You’ll want to pick a different paint for a sleek traditional shiny finish vs a matte chippy paint look.)

To figure out what the best paint for furniture for you is, I’m breaking down:

the different types of paint
pros and cons about each of them
tips for each paint
and what type of finish you can get from each paint

Let’s dive in!

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(I’ve been refinishing and selling furniture as my job since 2014, and these are all types of paint I have used for my own furniture projects.)

Latex Paint

Latex paint is the paint that you would usually buy for the walls inside your home.

You can pick it up at any hardware store and it usually comes in flat, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss.

The store usually has an area where they will tint it any color you want (or match it to a swatch you have) for free.

Honestly, I have only used latex paint on one furniture project, and that was one of my very first paint projects.

I have however used latex paint a lot as the main ingredient to make homemade chalk paint.

Here are the looks you can get with latex paint:

It is best for a solid finish.
Once turned into chalk paint, it can be used to create any of the chalk paint finishes.

Pros of Latex Paint:

Latex paint is easily accessible at your local hardware store
It is water-based for easy clean up.
You can get it tinted to any color you can imagine, and you can even get it color matched to a color swatch you have on hand.
Latex paint is the cheapest option.
Can be made into homemade chalk paint.

Cons of Latex Paint:

Latex paint doesn’t stick to many surfaces very well. It must have a adhering primer and very good prep before painting.
If you want to make it into chalk paint, you have to mix it, instead of it being ready to go out of the can.
It is also best to seal latex for durability (and I don’t like the feel of plain latex paint.) To seal latex paint I use this water-based polyurethane.
Latex doesn’t distress or sand back very easily, so a farmhouse or shabby chic look isn’t as easy to get as with chalk paint. (Once it’s made into chalk paint, it will distress nicely)

Tips and Tricks to use Latex Paint on Furniture

I prefer making latex paint into homemade chalk paint for better adhesion (and distressing if you want that.)
Latex paint isn’t made to stick finished wood surfaces. Use a primer like Bullseye 123, (or this really good stain blocking primer) over finished wood before painting to give the latex paint something to hold onto.
“Paint and Primer in One” will not provide good adhesion. The primer in this type of latex paint is only good for extra coverage. Not to help paint stick to finished wood. It also isn’t good for making homemade chalk paint.

Latex Paint Brands that I have Used and Had Great Results With:

I prefer to buy the interior flat latex paint in Behr Premium Plus to make chalk paint.’

Tall Antique Farmhouse Dresser Painted Teal Blue

Chalk Paint

** Chalk paint has a HUGE stigma about being a “no prep” necessary paint. This honestly is NOT TRUE. I mean, I love the sound of not having to clean, lightly sand, or prime furniture before painting, but if you want your project (not to mention the hours of time you spent on it) to last a long time, it’s really best to prep.

Chalk Paint has made a big name for itself in the furniture painting world. Mainly because it requires less prep (notice I didn’t say “no prep”), there are so many things you can do with it, and it dries quickly.

And I’ve found that it sticks way better than latex, even when using a primer under both latex and chalk paint.

Why is chalk paint good for furniture?

Chalk style paint is easy to use for those who are new to painting furniture. It requires less prep than other paint, and it sticks very well.

It is waterbased so it cleans up easily with soap and water. And it can be used for so many different finishes (from modern to aged and distressed.)

Here are some looks you can get with chalk paint:

Distressed, blended, worn and antiqued looks are the easiest to achieve with chalk paint.
Shabby Chic with a lot, little or no distressing.
Blending or dripping with multiple colors of paint.
Water down the paint for a thin washed effect.
Glaze or dark wax chalk paint for an antiqued look.
Classic solid finish with no distressing.
Combinations of the above finishes.

Pros of Chalk Paint:

It sticks to furniture (primed and not primed) a lot better than plain latex.
Cleanup is easy with Chalk Paint.
A lot of brands are Eco friendly and VOC free.
You can create multiple different finishes with Chalk Paint.
Chalk Paint is easy to use with a paint brush or paint sprayer.
It’s ready to paint straight from the can.

Cons of Chalk Paint:

It must be sealed for durability and to be able to wipe it clean. (I prefer to seal with water-based polyurethane instead of wax.)
If you don’t seal it, it collects dust and it’s hard to remove the dust.
It’s more expensive than most latex paint.
Only some brands are available at local hardware stores.
Most Chalk Paint companies have a limited line of colors.

Tips and Tricks to use Chalk Paint on Furniture

Really shiny, smooth surfaces need to be scuff sanded really well, and possibly primed for best adhesion. (read some tips at the end of the post.)
Add a little bit of water for better leveling and fewer brush marks.
Chalk Paint can be sprayed in a paint sprayer. This post explains how to spray chalk paint!
Seal Chalk Paint with water-based polyurethane instead of wax for the most durable, long lasting finish.
Don’t want to make these five biggest furniture painting mistakes.

Chalk Paint Brands that I have Used and Had Great Results With:

Check out my top chalk paint brands post where I list down the pros and cons for each brand.

Navy Blue Painted Dresser with Gold Knobs

Acrylic Paint

This one is confused a lot with the milk paint we talk about after this (the powdered kind).

The way it works and the finish it creates is totally different than powdered milk paint! This paint creates a super smooth finish and is super easy to work with!

I absolutely love acrylic paint!

Here are the looks you can get with acrylic paint:

Acrylic paint is great for a classic solid finish
But it can also be distressed to create a farmhouse worn look.
Worn look with a lot, little or no distressing.
Blending or dripping with multiple colors of paint.
Water down the paint for a thin washed effect.
Glaze or dark wax chalk paint for an antiqued look.
Combinations of the above finishes.

Pros of Acrylic Paint:

It sticks to furniture a lot better than plain latex.
Acrylic Paint doesn’t have to be sealed for low traffic surfaces!
Cleanup is easy and it is low VOC.
Acrylic Paint levels really well!
It also sands and distresses well.
Acrylic Paint is easy to use with a paint brush or paint sprayer.
It’s ready to paint straight from the can.
It also dries really smooth, so you don’t have to sand it to make it feel smooth (unlike chalk paint and powdered milk paint).

Cons of Acrylic Paint:

For the best durability, it needs to be sealed. (I prefer to seal with water-based polyurethane instead of wax.)
It’s more expensive than most latex paint.
It’s not available at local hardware stores.
There is only a limited amount of colors in the paint line.

Tips and Tricks to use Acrylic Paint on Furniture

For best results, prime before painting.
Use a high quality paint brush and /or roller to get a brush free finish.
Mix colors together to create new colors!
Acrylic Paint can be sprayed, but it’s pretty thick so it needs to be thinned for spraying.

Check out my comparison between chalk paint vs acrylic paint here.

Acrylic Brands that I have Used and Had Great Results With:

General Finishes Milk Paint
Paint Couture Paint
Amulent Paint (This is ceramic based, but acts very similar to acrylics)

Powdered Milk Paint

Milk Paint creates an old fashioned finish, and is perfect to create a chippy finish or a solid finish with no chipping.

It has a mind of it’s own though, so I wouldn’t recommend it if you have an OCD specific idea of what you want it to do.

Here are the looks you can get with powdered milk paint:

Milk Paint is best for an old fashioned chippy finish (or not chippy).
It also is really known for having color variations, so don’t expect it to look perfect.
You can also get a solid painted finish with powdered milk paint. Just add bonding agent to the milk paint.
And you can thin it out to create a wash or a stain.

Pros of Powdered Milk Paint:

Milk Paint is water-based for easy cleanup.
Real milk paint is all natural and VOC free.
Milk Paint creates a completely unique finish that can’t be easily made with other paints. The finish usually has color variations in it.
Milk Paint is easy to use, and is perfect for raw wood.
You can mix “bonding agent” into the paint to make it stick even better. (Available from the milk paint retailers)
It’s fun to use, because it can have a mind of it’s own.
It’s also easy to sand and distress.

Cons of Powdered Milk Paint:

Milk Paint comes in a powdered form and has to be mixed with water before use.
It has a mind of it’s own (chipping here or there, not chipping at all, or chipping more than expected.) The finish also can have variations of color in it.
Milk Paint also has to be sealed for durability and wipe-ability. (Hemp oil or water- based poly are my favorite top coats for milk paint.)
Only mix up what you need for the day because it goes bad quickly.
It’s not found at local hardware stores usually.
Most Milk Paint companies have a limited line of colors.

Tips and Tricks to use Powdered Milk Paint on Furniture:

Relax and have fun!
If you don’t want any chipping, add bonding agent to the paint, and make sure you scuff sand the wood really well.
To create extra chipping with a hair dryer to heat up certain places of the paint while it dries.
Shellac will make milk paint crackle.
The color will really deepen once you apply hemp oil or poly.
It’s a surprise what will happen! Sometimes it doesn’t chip when you want it to, and sometimes it chips when you did everything to not let it chip. Lose control and let it do it’s thing.
If you really want the paint to chip, here’s a tip for how to get milk paint to chip!

Powdered Milk Paint Brands that I have Used and Had Great Results With:

Shackteau Interiors Milk Paint
Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint
Sweet Pickins Milk Paint
Rustoleum Milk Paint (This one is kind of in between powdered milk paint and chalk paint. I’m sharing more about it on my Rustoleum Milk Paint Review.)

Pigmented Poly

General Finishes Pigmented Poly is quickly becoming one of my favorite paints to use on furniture.

It doesn’t need a topcoat (the name says it all, it’s poly!), and it’s super durable. It levels really nicely and comes in a really nice satin sheen (also available in semi-gloss).

Check out this blog post about Painting Oak Furniture Black where we used General Finishes Pigmented Poly.

Here are the looks you can get with pigmented poly:

The easiest finish to get with pigmented poly is a super smooth classic finish with no distressing.
You can definitely distress it, but it should be sealed once distressed.

Pros of Pigmented Poly:

Pigmented Poly doesn’t need to be sealed for durability or wipeability.
Cleanup is easy and it is low VOC.
Dries fast and can recoat after 1-2 hours!
Pigmented Poly levels really well and distresses well.
Pigmented Poly sprays on like a dream.
It’s ready to paint straight from the can.

Cons of Pigmented Poly:

It wasn’t made to be brushed on – though I have heard of some having good results with brushing and rolling it on quickly.
Pigmented Poly is currently hard to find in quart size (quart sizes available on Etsy- linked below)
The poly comes in black or white (or clear), but you can tint it (for an extra fee) to your color of choice.
If you distress it, it will need to be sealed with the Enduro Clear Poly.
Not available at local hardware stores usually.

Tips and Tricks to use Pigmented Poly on Furniture

For best results, prime before painting.

Read this post for complete “how to” on General Finishes Pigmented Poly.

Pignmented Poly Brands:

General Finishes Enduro Poly

General Finishes Black Poly Painted Dresser

Alkyd Paint

Alkyd paint is a waterborne paint that has the properties of oil based paint.

Honestly, I don’t understand the science behind it. But we don’t need to know the science to be able to use it. 😉

It doesn’t need a topcoat (actually, you shouldn’t topcoat it), and it’s super durable (just like oil based paint).

It levels really nicely and comes in every sheen you could want.

Here are the looks you can get with alkyd paint:

The easiest finish to get with alkyd paint is a super smooth classic finish with no distressing.

Pros of Alkyd Paint:

No topcoating!
Cleanup is easy with soap and water.
Alkyd Paint is easy to apply with a paint brush or paint sprayer.
The color options are endless.
It levels very well so there aren’t many brush marks or texture left behind.
It’s ready to paint straight from the can.
Very durable, long lasting finish.
Comes in every common sheen.

Cons of Alkyd Paint:

It’s more expensive than most latex paint.
Some require a 16 hour dry time before painting the next coat. (Others require 4 hours of drying between coats.)
It can be a little bit more finicky than chalk paint, and may take a little getting used to.

Tips and Tricks to use Alkyd Paint on Furniture

For best results, prime before painting.
Follow the instructions on the back of the can.
Use a high quality paint brush and /or roller to get a brush free finish.
Alkyd Paint can be sprayed, but it’s pretty thick so it needs to be thinned for spraying.

Read this post for my experience with Sherwin Williams Emerald Trim Enamel.

Alkyd Paint Brands that I have Used and Had Great Results With:

white painted tv stand with sherwin williams emerald urethane trim enamel

One Step Paint

One step paint is usually marketed as a paint with primer, that doesn’t need to be topcoated.

The primer part I always laugh at, because I really truly believe that sing a primer before painting is the best way to get the best looking paint job.

But obviously we’re always looking for an easy way out or to skip some steps. I totally get it.

I love that it has a topcoat built in, but some of them are a matte finish, so I like to still topcoat them to achieve a wipeable surface. And to add extra durability.

I like to think of one step paint as chalk paint with a less chalky finish. But that’s not true for all one step paints!

Some come in a satin finish so I don’t feel the need to topcoat them… and then they seem like they are closer to the alkyd or pigmented poly.

Anyway…

Here are the looks you can get with One Step paint:

The easiest finish to get with one step paint is a super smooth classic finish with no distressing.
Just like with others though, you can distress it. You’ll just need to topcoat it.
I would think that you could blend the paint as well.
Water down the paint for a thin washed effect.
Glaze or dark wax chalk paint for an antiqued look.
Combinations of the above finishes.

Pros of One Step Paint:

No topcoating needed (though you might want to depending on the sheen you want.)
Cleanup is easy with soap and water.
One Step Paint is easy to apply with a paint brush, roller or paint sprayer.
Some brands levels very well so there aren’t many brush marks or texture left behind.
Very durable, long lasting finish.
It’s ready to paint straight from the can.

Cons of One Step Paint:

It’s more expensive than most latex and chalk paint.
The color options are limited.
Some come in only a matte finish. Others come in only a satin finish.

Tips and Tricks to use One Step Paint on Furniture

For best results, prime before painting.
Use a high quality paint brush and /or roller to get a brush free finish.
Mix colors together to create new colors!
One Step Paint can be sprayed, but it’s pretty thick so it needs to be thinned for spraying.
Follow the instructions from the company.
Use a brand that dries to the sheen you want.

One Step Paint Brands that I have Used and Had Great Results With:

Heirloom Traditions Paint ( Satin sheen and amazing durability)
One from Melange ( I love this one!! Dries to a satin sheen)
Fusion Mineral Paint (Dries to a matte sheen)

So, What is the Best Paint for Furniture?

Well, you’ll have to make that decision.

First, figure out what finish you want.

Then see what is available in the color you want. Or in your area if you don’t want to wait for shipping.

You honestly can’t go wrong with any of these that I have mentioned.

Of course though, there are certain brands and types of paint that we all prefer more. And honestly, I think that is going to be different for everyone.

So pick one of the options and try it out. It’s just paint. 😉

Here are a few overall tips and tricks when it comes to painting furniture

Prevent Stains that Won’t go Away – Bleed through

Wood can “bleed through” water-based paint.

It shows up as yellow, red or orange stains, but no matter how many coats of paint you use, they don’t go away. 🙁

And sometimes the bleedthrough doesn’t show up until the piece is totally done. Noooooooooo!

To prevent this from happening, always prime with a stain-blocking primer before painting.

How to Paint Laminate Furniture

You CAN paint laminate furniture (you know that super shiny, plastic-looking stuff) with any of these paints.

The trick is using a really good bonding primer before the paint.

Bonding or adhesion primers stick to slick non-porus surfaces, and they create a surface for any paint to hold onto as well.

So if you want to paint over laminate furniture, just be sure to prep (read the next tip), prime (STIX or BIN primers are perfect for laminate furniture), and then paint with your choice of paint.

Pssst. Recently I’ve been testing how to paint laminate furniture without sanding. Check it out if you don’t want to sand!

And this little table makeover with general finishes milk paint had laminate and wood on it. And I didn’t have to sand it at all. *mind blown*.

Prep is Best

Prep is the most important part of a good painted finish.

Make sure to clean dirt, grime, oil and wax off first. Krud Kutter or a 50/50 mix of Denatured Alcohol and Water works great!

Then scuff sand everything to give your paint or primer something to hold onto. I like to use 220 grit sandpaper for this.

After sanding, vacuum up the dust, and wipe everything down with a tack cloth before painting.

Learn more about how to prepare furniture for paint here.

The Best Paint Brushes for Painting Furniture

Zibra paint brushes overall are very economical and do a great job with all of these furniture paints. They are synthetic paint brushes that come in all shapes and sizes (who would have thought!).

The round brush makes it easier to paint spindles and round things. (The round brush is my favorite!)

The square brush is so good for getting into corners.

The triangle brush is great for corners as well! And getting into details that most furniture has too!

Check out Zibra’s website for all of their paint brush options and see which one is right for you with their quiz.

If you have a little bit more money to spend on a really really nice paint brush, the Staalmeester paint brushes and the Cling On paint brushes are spectacular!

Best Paint Sprayers for Painting Furniture

If you’re looking for a completely brush free and texture free finish, maybe you want to try out a paint sprayer!

I love how much faster my projects go when I use a paint sprayer, and I love the nice finish it creates.

Check out this post to learn about the best HVLP paint sprayers for painting furniture. (no air compressor required!)

In the end, the best paint for your furniture is the paint that creates the finish you are looking for, in the color you are looking for.

These are all types of paint that I have used and would be happy to use on a regular basis. I would hate to be limited to only one of these for all of my furniture painting projects!

Time to paint!

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