Are you looking for amazing furniture paint for your next DIY project?
You've come to the right place!
In this ProPaintCorner.com guide, you'll learn:
- What the best paint for furniture is
- How to choose & use the best furniture paints for DIY projects
- What you should know about painting furniture before getting started
And much more!
Below is a quick list of all the best paints out there for painting furniture. Keep scrolling to learn more about how to choose and use the perfect furniture paint!
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Our Top Pick
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Our Top Pick
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Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch Latex Paint
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View on Amazon |
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Best Budget
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Best Budget
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Rust-Oleum Milk Paint Finish
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View on Amazon |
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Best High End
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Best High End
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Glidden Interior Paint + Primer One Coat
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View on Amazon |
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PRESTIGE Interior Paint & Primer In One
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Shabby Chic Chalk Furniture Paint
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View on Amazon |
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated On September 22, 2023
Our top choice of furniture paint is the Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch Latex Paint.
While it doesn't necessarily offer the best paint colors for a piece of furniture (depending on the project, of course) it comes in at an affordable price, is incredibly durable, and easy to use.
This paint is fantastic for both interior and exterior painting, which means it will hold up to the high-touch environment that most furniture needs to endure.
If you're looking for a durable, affordable, high-quality type of paint to use on your next DIY project, the Painter's Touch is the paint for you!
Top 5 Best Paints For Furniture
Take a look at our top 5 rated furniture paints below:
What Is the Best Paint For Furniture?
Long story short, paints for furniture are usually standard latex paints.
Latex paints are water-based acrylic paints that are generally very durable, but they're also easy to dispose of and are washable once they've dried.
The reason these are perfect for refinishing furniture is that most furniture is considered "high-touch" which means it's going to endure a lot of wear and tear in the regular course of its life.
They tend to get smudged, stained, and messy and that means you'll need to make sure the paint you use is scrubbable.
You don't want to deal with scuff marks or chipping just because you needed to wash that smudge off your coffee table, right?
So that's why choosing a durable paint like a high-quality latex paint is key here.
But other than carefully choosing strong latex paint, furniture paints aren't much different than the standard paints you'll find at a paint store or home depot.
Unless you're looking to create a specific look with your furniture remodel. One of the most popular furniture looks right now is the faux antique, chalk paint look.
In which case you'll need to find a chalk or matte finish paint that is buildable and will allow you to create texture with your brush strokes.
But aside from that, you can use most latex paints when painting furniture.
NOTE: You can opt to use spray paint if you want to, however, it's very easy for spray paint to create an uneven finish, so only go that route if you have experience spray painting furniture.
Read More >> What Are The Best Brushes To Use For Chalk Paint?
How Should You Choose & Use The Best Furniture Paints?
So if furniture paints aren't really much different than standard interior latex paints, how do you choose the best one for your furniture makeover?
There are a few key things to think about when choosing your paint, and a few things do know before you dive into using that paint on your furniture.
Paint Finish
One of the biggest factors that is going to determine the look and feel of your furniture makeover is the paint finish you choose to use.
There are multiple different finishes - or "sheens" - you can choose from, but most people tend to like satin or semi-gloss paint for that nice, sleek effect.
That said, you may decide to go with a more understated flat finish which will still have a bit of a shine but not as much as a glossy finish paint.
Ultimately, you want to choose a paint finish that is going to give you the result you're looking for when working on your furniture remodel.
How Much Paint Will You Need?
In general, most gallons of paint cover anywhere from 200 to 400 sq. ft. which - most furniture projects - will likely be enough to get the job done.
However, if you need to apply a second coat (which you likely will to get the right finish) make sure you factor that in to your calculations when determining how much paint to buy.
To Prime Or Not To Prime?
This is an important question in order to get the highest quality finish possible.
A lot of DIY painters tend to want to avoid priming because it adds extra steps (and extra cost), however this can lead to a muddy topcoat because your old paint color might peek through.
So, are you repainting old furniture that already has paint on it? If that paint is anything darker than white, I'd recommend using a primer.
Even if this remodel is just a fun DIY project, you still want to ensure that the finished result is going to look great.
And because your furniture is arguably the most prominent feature of your home (aside from maybe your layout) you want to make sure it looks stellar.
I recommend using the Zinsser Bulls-Eye primer (which also happens to be very inexpensive) because it does a fantastic job prepping surfaces to get the maximum adhesion from your paint color of choice.
Read More >> What Are The Best Paint Brushes For Furniture?
Supplies You'll Need For Painting Furniture
Last but not least, let's talk about a few key supplies you need to gather in order to truly paint your furniture like a pro.
Whether you choose to use a paintbrush (beware of the brush marks!), a paint roller, or a paint sprayer, you'll need to protect yourself, and your home as well.
- Plastic drop cloths
- Painter's tape
- Goggles
- Paint respirator
- Paint brush / paint sprayer / paint roller
- Paint tray
- Sandpaper for sanding (or sanding sponge)
- Wood filler (for filling holes)
- Screwdriver
- Hammer
- Gallons of paint
- Gallons of primer
With all that said, you may need a few other supplies depending on your particular painting project, but this is a good working list to start with.
Now on to the paint selections!
Read More >> What Are The Best HVLP Sprayers To Use For Furniture?
Our Reviews Of The Best 5 Paints For Furniture
The Painter's Touch line from Rust-Oleum is a fantastic type of paint to use for furniture because it's latex paint/acrylic paint that is scrubbable, durable, and relatively low-odor.
Latex paint is the best for beginners or DIY fans because it doesn't have a high-VOC content (a.k.a high paint fumes!) and disposal of it is much easier.
Not only that, but this particular paint can be used on many different surfaces.
That means you can use it to paint wood, metal, plastic, and more so no matter what type of furniture you're using it for it should get the job done (as long as you used a good primer!).
Pros
Cons
Pick #2: Rust-Oleum Milk Paint Finish
If you're looking for an even more budget-friendly furniture paint, check out the Milk Paint Finish line from Rust-Oleum.
This paint is ideal for creating a smooth finish when refinishing pieces of furniture.
Not only will this stuff not scuff up and chip due to regular touch/use, but it creates a beautiful, silky topcoat that is perfect for painted furniture.
While I wouldn't recommend using this for outdoor furniture, if you're looking to create a unique paint finish or a great accent piece for your living room, this is a great choice!
Pros
Cons
Our high-end option is the incredible Glidden One Coat Interior Paint + Primer because this stuff offers amazing coverage with less prepping and fewer coats of paint.
Not only is this stuff low-VOC (low odor) but it's completely washable and offers amazing durability which is perfect for refinishing old furniture.
You won't need to worry about smudges and fingerprints on this paint ruining your new furniture painting project.
If you want a high-end, high-coverage paint that will last for years to come, the Glidden One Coat is a great option for you.
Pros
Cons
It's an acrylic paint that offers a semi-gloss finish that is easy to apply and to clean up because it's water-based latex paint as I mentioned above.
If you're looking for a beautiful paint to refinish some of your home decor, this PRESTIGE paint is a great option for you.
Pros
Cons
Pick #5: Shabby Chic Chalk Furniture Paint
Our last (but certainly not least!) paint for furniture is the classic Shabby Chic Chalk Paint.
This is a high-end, durable chalk paint that is specifically designed for refinishing old furniture with a beautiful, antique, chalky look.
While it may not be the best if you're looking for common, general finishes (like eggshell, high gloss, etc.) if you're trying to create a beautiful accent piece for your home and want to try your hand with a chalk paint, this is the one for you.
Just keep in mind that getting a beautiful coat of paint with chalky paint takes a bit more work to make it look good.
But, if you have some old wood furniture that needs refinishing and you want to create something that is beautiful (and, dare I say, Instagrammable) this is the paint for you!
Pros
Cons
Our Top Pick: Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch Latex Paint
Our top choice is still the amazing Painter's Touch Latex Paint by Rust-Oleum.
Because this paint is so versatile, durable, and affordable, it's a great candidate for all sorts of furniture painting projects.
Not only that, but you can keep a gallon of this in your garage for future furniture or painting projects as well.
If you're looking for a paint that's easy to use and apply for a smooth finish, this is the paint for you.
Plus, it's a great value for the money! Check out the lowest price on Amazon right here.
Final Thoughts On Painting Furniture
Now that you know what you need to know about selecting the best paint for your furniture painting projects, you're ready to get started on your furniture makeover!
Just make sure to follow proper safety protocols and take your time so you get the best finish possible.
The Most Important Part: Your Safety
Your safety is the most important part of your paint project, and you would. be surprised at how fast you can get hurt from painting.
Don't forget this key safety equipment when working with paint.
Safety Glasses
Your eyesight is delicate. Cover up your eyes with some safety glasses when painting.
Nitrile gloves
Use nitrile gloves to keep your hands clean for the next business deal.
Although latex paint isn't very damaging to your hands, stains and lacquers are, so keeping your hands covered up will keep you comfortable after the fact.
Cotton Mask/Respirator
Paint fumes are damaging to your health. Wear a cotton mask when working with latex and water-based paints, and a respirator when working with stains, epoxies, lacquers, and other oil-based paints to avoid exposure to harmful chemicals.
With all that said, make sure you take your time if this is a new undertaking for you as a DIY painter, follow as many tutorial videos as possible, and don't be afraid to consult an expert if need be.
As always, happy painting!
