Furniture paint: what you need to know

What makes furniture paint special?

Furniture paint is usually a lacquer. Not only does it give a piece of furniture a new colour, but it also protects it from wear and tear. When you use furniture paint, you're always adding an extra protective layer to your furniture. Ideally, this doesn't just look great, but also protects your furniture from knocks and scratches. Once painted, the surfaces should be easy to look after, light-resistant, and highly durable in every respect.

When should you use furniture paint?

There are plenty of reasons to use furniture paint. Painting your furniture is a great option if you've simply fallen out of love with its original colour. Perhaps it no longer matches your new wallpaper or wall paint. Or maybe you just fancy a change. If you have an "off-the-shelf" piece of furniture, you might want to transform it into something unique and one-of-a-kind by giving it a coat of black furniture paint for an industrial chic vibe. Or maybe you want to give a lovely flea market find an authentic vintage look with a nostalgic shade.

Not all furniture is made of wood; metal and plastic are also widely used. You might be wondering which paints to use for a wardrobe or a chest of drawers with a plastic veneer surface, and whether you need to sand the surface before painting. We can put your mind at ease: yes, you can also paint metal, plastic veneer, and even high-gloss surfaces with our furniture paint. Sanding is usually not necessary. You only need to sand down areas where old paint is peeling or otherwise damaged. So, there is nothing stopping you from giving your IKEA furniture a complete makeover!

Choosing the right furniture paint

Our all-rounder for every project: Easy Eggshell

Easy Eggshell! from the Just Paint collection is suitable for almost any project. It gives you a soft, satin finish that is extremely durable. This furniture paint is weatherproof, so you can also use it to spruce up your garden furniture. Why not paint your garden bench with red furniture paint! Indoors, it is particularly suitable for tables, chairs, benches, or kitchen cabinets – basically any piece of furniture that gets a lot of wear and tear. Even smooth metal or plastic surfaces, such as IKEA furniture, can be easily painted with it after priming with To Bond & Block.

Which furniture can I paint?

Essentially, you can paint any piece of furniture. If your furniture has been oiled or waxed, it needs to be thoroughly sanded down before painting. Depending on the surface, you may need to apply a primer or seal the painted surface at the end.

Redecorating children's rooms with furniture paint

Have you inherited a lovely cot or cradle, or perhaps found a chest of drawers at a flea market that would make a perfect changing table? Then grab a brush and some paint to give these pieces a fresh new look and your own personal style. Anything goes! For an even more durable finish, you can protect the paint at the end with our clear wax from the CosyColours Furniture Wax collection.

Paint and chalk paint: Painting kitchen furniture

Kitchen furniture can also be given a completely new look with furniture paints from MissPompadour. If your kitchen has plastic surfaces, you should definitely prime them first with a primer like MissPompadour To Bond & Block. This ensures the furniture paint adheres securely to the smooth surfaces. You can even use it to prepare high-gloss surfaces for a fresh coat of furniture paint.

If you are painting high-wear surfaces, seal the finish at the end with MissPompadour To Seal. This adds an extra protective layer, making it even more resilient.

Outdoor furniture: Paint for the outdoors

Garden furniture often needs a fresh coat of paint too. You can also use our Easy Eggshell! paint for this. Whether your furniture is made of wood or metal, any old paint that is damaged or peeling must be sanded off. You should always use a primer on outdoor furniture first. Use MissPompadour To Bond & Block, as this will increase the durability of your paint job. Why not try a vibrant floral shade like orange furniture paint instead of the usual classic green?

Furniture paint: A few tips for application

It is always important to clean your furniture thoroughly before painting. All dirt and dust must be removed before you start. The best way to do this is with MissPompadour To Clean. This mild yet highly effective cleaner cleans without damaging the surfaces or irritating your skin. If your furniture has already been treated with wax or is oiled, sand these areas down well – otherwise, the paint won't adhere properly. Stained furniture must be primed to prevent the stain from bleeding through into the paint.

Blog posts about painting furniture

Here you will find our key painting guides, tips, and tricks:

• Painting for beginners
• Painting wooden furniture
• Painting rustic oak
• Painting kitchen furniture
• Painting high-gloss furniture
• Painting IKEA furniture
• Painting garden furniture

Order furniture paint from the MissPompadour shop

We recommend ordering colour cards first. The Just Paint colour cards, which include Easy Eggshell!, are postcard-sized and can be taken out individually. This makes it easy to compare the shades in any light. Once you've found your perfect shade, why not order your painting tools at the same time as your paint? Besides brushes and a paint roller, you'll definitely need a paint tray. If you're planning to work with wax, don't forget to grab our wax brush too!