Types of Paint for Furniture
When it comes to painting furniture, there are so many choices of paint available that it can be difficult to know which one is right for the job.
In this post, we’ll explore the types of paint for furniture so you can make an informed decision for your next DIY project.
From oil-based paints to water-based paints and even chalk paints, each has its own unique characteristics and benefits when it comes to giving your furniture a new look.
Painting furniture can be an easy, cost-effective way to give any room in your home a fresh new look.
With the right paint and the right technique, you can transform a piece of furniture into something beautiful and personal.
Types of Primer for Furniture
Before you paint on your furniture, it is very important to know what kind of primer to use. A good primer will prevent bleedthrough stains and provide better coverage.
But it will also help your paint stick to the furniture’s surface, whether it is made of wood, laminate, or plastic. Below are our resources for what type of primer to use before painting furniture.
- Best Primers for Painting Furniture
- Best Bonding Primer for Laminate Furniture
- Best Primers to Stop Tannin Bleed
- Zinsser Cover Stain Primer Review
Types of Paint for Furniture
You can use many different types of paint for furniture. We’ve tried many of them so you can see the best one for your project!
Check out the links to read more about how to use that specific paint on your furniture and to see what kind of results you can expect with it.
- The Best Paint for Furniture
- Best Paints for Furniture Without Sanding
- Best Matte Black Paint for Furniture
- Best Paint for Wood Furniture
- Best Black Paint For Furniture
- Best White Paint for Furniture
- Dixie Belle Paint Review
Milk Paint
- Milk Paint vs Chalk Paint
- Painting Furniture with Milk Paint
- Rust-oleum Milk Paint Review
- General Finishes Milk Paint Review
Chalk Paint
- Painting Furniture with Latex Paint
- How to Chalk Paint Furniture
- Top Chalk Paint Brands
- Chalk Painting
- Waverly Chalk Paint
- Rethunk Junk Paint Review
- Rustoleum Chalk Paint Review
- BB Frosch Paint Transformer Review
- Country Chic Paint Review
- What is the Difference Between Chalk Paint and Regular Paint
- Chalk Paint Recipes
- Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Review
All-in-One Paint
- Painting Furniture with Heirloom Traditions Paint
- Fusion Mineral Paint vs Heirloom Traditions Paint
- Heirloom Traditions Paint
- Beyond Paint vs Heirloom Traditions Paint
- Dixie Belle Silk Paint
- Painting Furniture with Lilly Moon Paint
- Fusion Mineral Paint Review
- Melange One Paint Review
- Lilly Moon Paint Review
Enamel Paint
- Painting a China Cabinet with Wise Owl One Hour Enamel
- How to Paint Furniture High Gloss
- Painting Furniture with Enamel Paint
- Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel Review
- Benjamin Moore Advance Paint Review
Acrylic Paint
Spray Paint
- The Best Spray Paint for Wood Furniture
- Krylon vs Rustoleum
- Chalk Spray Paint
- Behr Spray Paint Review
- Best Paint For Spraying Furniture
- Best Spray Paint for Outdoor Metal Furniture
- Best Spray Paint For Metal
Pros and Cons of each Type of Furniture Paint
When it comes to painting furniture, there are a variety of paints available to meet different needs. There’s chalk paint, enamel paint, acrylic paint, all-in-one paint… the list goes on and on.
Here are some pros and cons for each type of furniture paint.
Chalk Paint
Pros of Chalk Paint
Chalk paint is a good type of paint to use because it sticks to furniture well and is easy to clean up. You can also create different finishes with chalk paint, and it’s ready to use straight from the can.
Cons of Chalk Paint
When you’re painting furniture with chalk paint, it’s important to remember to seal it for durability and so that you can easily wipe it clean when needed.
If you forget to seal your chalk paint, it can collect dust which makes it hard to get off.
Chalk paint is usually more expensive than regular latex paint and not all brands are available at local hardware stores.
Most companies that sell chalk paint usually only have a limited selection of colors too.
Enamel Paint
Pros of Enamel Paint
Enamel paint is a great option if you’re looking to give your furniture a fresh look.
It’s very easy to apply with either a paintbrush or even a paint sprayer and it won’t require any topcoating before you paint.
Plus, the color options are endless and it levels really well, so you won’t be left with any brush marks or texture. Not only that, but it’s also very durable and long-lasting!
Cons of Enamel Paint
However, there is one downside – enamel paint can be more expensive than other paints.
And some types take longer to dry in between coats (up to 16 hours), so make sure to plan accordingly.
It takes a bit of practice to get used to this type of paint, but once you do it will become second nature!
Acrylic Paint
Pros of Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint sticks to surfaces much better than regular latex paint, so you don’t have to worry about it coming off.
And if you’re painting a surface that doesn’t get a lot of traffic, you don’t even need to seal it. Plus, it’s low-VOC and easy to clean up after. It also levels really well.
Cons of Acrylic Paint
It doesn’t usually come in the same variety of colors as latex, so there’s a limited range of colors available. And unfortunately, you won’t be able to find it at your local hardware store.
Plus, for extra protection, you’ll need to seal the paint with water-based polyurethane instead of wax.
All-In-One Paint
Pros of All-In-One Paint
All-in-one paint is awesome for quickly sprucing up your furniture!
It’s easy to apply with a brush, roller, or even a sprayer, and best of all it doesn’t require any topcoating (although you may want to depending on the sheen you’re looking for).
Plus, it’s also very durable and long-lasting, and cleanup is a breeze since it just requires soap and water.
Cons of All-In-One Paint
The downside is that it’s more expensive than both latex and chalk paint, and the color options can be limited.
Most brands aren’t self leveling though so you will see brush marks or texture if you brush or roll it on.
Some brands only come in either a matte or satin finish, so make sure to check before you buy!
But if you’re looking for that extra bit of durability and long-lasting results, all-in-one paint may be the way to go.
Latex Paint
Pros of Latex Paint
You can find latex paint at a hardware store near you. It is water-based, so it is easy to clean up.
You can get latex paint in any color that you want, and you can even get it color matched to a color swatch that you have. Latex paint is the cheapest option.
Cons of Latex Paint
Latex paint does not stick to many surfaces very well. You must put a primer on the surface first and prepare it very well before painting.
If you want to make it into chalk paint, you have to mix it yourself. It is also best to seal latex paint for durability.
More Painting Furniture Resources
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