Have you ever experienced this itch in your hands and a strong desire to create something with that old wardrobe or chairs that you inherited and are an eyesore with their imperfections?
Or do you just understand that you want changes, but you’re not ready to invest in a complete replacement of the interior?
There is a solution: take a close look at the items you want to update, come up with a concept and go to the store.
For paint.
Because it’s very easy to take and paint furniture that you’re tired of!
how to paint furniture
Repainting old and worn-out furniture can solve several problems at once:
- refresh the interior (which is logical);
- combine disparate objects into a single ensemble (for example, if you are a young family, and the only furniture you have is what you inherited, or else, often at the dacha individual objects from different eras accumulate that need to be somehow made to work together);
- give vent to your creative energy (the most important thing, I think).
Well, if you do everything right, then no drama will happen, even if you don’t like the result - you’ll just choose a new shade and can paint the furniture again when you have a couple of hours of free time again.
Color selection
Look carefully at the item and think about where exactly you want to fit it - the choice of color depends on this.
You can choose a shade that contrasts with the main color scheme (for example, in a room with a beige-warm palette, you can put a table painted bright blue - it will enliven the interior with a color accent), or neutral (for example, you can paint an old table and chairs in white color, and place a beautiful vase with bright flowers on it).
Paint selection
Go to the largest hardware store nearby, catch the manager and explain the task - you need a universal paint that is suitable for painting wood, plastic and varnished surfaces (such exist).
You can choose the shade right on the spot if you have a rough idea of what you want. Although you can paint furniture with different colors, you will need the help of a specialist to understand what is best for you:
- Latex paints (they are the easiest to find, many different shades and relatively inexpensive), the downside is that before application you will need to spend time preparing the surface (clean it properly using solvents and sandpaper), which in itself eats up a lot of time.
- Chalk paints are a real hit in painting furniture; they do not require special preparation, apply well even if you are a neophyte, and mask application flaws and surface unevenness. Most of the pictures you see on Pinterest are painted with these paints, but they are harder to find (although you can buy anything online with delivery). Chalk paint adheres well and spreads out without leaving brush marks.
- Acrylic paints are the oldest and most proven way to repaint something. They apply well and the brush mark spreads out as the paint dries. But at the same time, they give a slight shine and the effect of “painted wood”, while chalk paints look more organic.
In addition to paint, you'll need brushes, tape to protect areas you don't want to paint, plastic wrap to protect the surrounding interior, sandpaper to prep surfaces, and wax to polish furniture that's already been painted.
Ask the seller if you need to prepare the furniture in any special way - you may need to buy a primer, a base that is applied to the wood before applying the paint of your choice.
COLORING
If you choose tinted paint, shake the can well before opening it - sometimes the pigment settles to the bottom. Give yourself time to take your time and really get to grips with how to apply the paint.
If you have chosen a paint that requires surface preparation before application, then do not skip this step. You can clean the surface using sandpaper (take 220 grit, it is universal).
If you've never painted anything before, practice on some old stool first, or buy something cheap and practice on it before you mess up your closet. You will always have time to paint the furniture; it’s better to get your hands on it first.
If you do not have experience, then you should not start with painting shelves - it is difficult, because you need to paint all surfaces (and the corners - this is the most unpleasant) evenly. Leave them for last, when you have a repainted chest of drawers and a couple of chairs behind you.
Never start painting an item from the main surface, always start painting from the back wall or lower surfaces to give yourself the opportunity to “shoot in” and stop if you absolutely don’t like the shade.
Use flat, wide brushes rather than rollers - on uneven surfaces with texture (wood), a brush works better, as it paints all the depressions and cracks.
Most paints require reapplication - after the first coat has dried, apply a second one, so brush marks will become invisible and the color will be more even. Chalk paints are quite dense, and sometimes one layer is enough, look at the result.
When you paint one side of an object, periodically check to see if drops of paint have fallen on other sides. For example, you are painting the side of a cabinet, and droplets of paint may fly away and settle on the already painted doors. Your goal is to prevent them from drying out, so just periodically inspect other surfaces. If you see telltale drops, just brush over them; when the paint dries, there will be no traces left.
And don’t forget about the final stage – polishing with special waxes for furniture. Wax will not only give things a new glossy look, but also protect surfaces from stains and scratches.
Happy creativity!
Furniture is an integral part of any room, performing not only its main function of storing things, but also decorating the room and giving it a finished look. However, over time, the surface becomes dull, wears out and rather spoils the decoration of the home than complements it, which raises a reasonable question: is it worth purchasing a new product or restoring an old one? It’s easier and faster to buy new furniture, but renovation allows you to give it an unusual, unique look and make your design fantasies come true.
So, how to paint a cabinet so that it pleases its owner for a long time?
The first thing you need to do is remove the removable parts (hinges, handles), as well as take out the drawers and remove the doors.
Important. Painting the cabinet should be done outside or in a well-ventilated area.
To carry out the work you should prepare:
- 3-4 cans of acrylic enamel, which is quite enough for two-layer painting;
- Matte or glossy aerosol acrylic varnish;
- Masking paper tape;
- Protective gloves, glasses and respirator;
- Container with water and rags;
- Film or newspaper;
- Solvent;
- Fine-grit sandpaper.
If there are deep scratches and other damage on the surface of the cabinet, then you will additionally need automotive putty and primer to eliminate them. Instead of spray paint and varnish, you can use ordinary materials in cans and brushes.
Acrylic enamel is preferred due to its rich colors, ease of dilution with plain water and lack of odor. If you make a mistake during the painting process, it can be easily corrected by simply wiping the area with a wet cloth. In addition, it acquires greater strength as it dries.
How to paint a chipboard cabinet with your own hands? Restoration of the product is preceded by the removal of the previous layer of paint, for which sandpaper is used, and the surface should first be cleaned with a rag.
Please note. After using the sandpaper, make sure that dust does not remain in the corners or crevices.
Painting a chipboard cabinet with your own hands is quite simple. You need to understand that the surface of chipboard furniture does not absorb paint well, so complete drying will take some time, and the air temperature in the room should not be lower than 16 degrees. To make patterns, you should use a stencil, and to avoid unevenness and drips, the surface to be painted must be positioned horizontally.
Fine lines and the most difficult places will not take much effort if you use special tips for spray paint or small brushes.
How to paint an old cabinet white and other colors
How to paint an old cabinet white? The process of painting a chipboard cabinet is not complicated and takes place in several stages:
- Applying primer. A mandatory step, as it helps the paint dry faster, while the final shade will be rich and bright. Before applying paint, wait until the primer is completely dry.
- Painting. There should be several layers, which will allow you to achieve a uniform, uniform coloring. When applying them with a brush, you should move it from side to side, and to avoid mixing colors, if there are several of them, it is easy to use masking tape on the borders. It will take about three days for the renewed product to dry completely.
- The final stage will be varnishing the cabinet. Tinted varnish will give it a beautiful shade, while yacht varnish will give it a glossy finish. Coating furniture with it provides greater resistance to abrasion and also increases its durability.
It is preferable to restore old furniture, because in its manufacture, as a rule, durable natural materials were used. In addition, it often has a complex, intricate design. For this reason, you should not rush to send it to the landfill - carefully painted, it will find a new life and will delight you for many years.
Furniture plays almost the main role in the interior of a room. But it often happens that after repair the headset does not fit into the new design. This deficiency can be corrected in two ways - by purchasing new furnishings or transforming old ones. The second option is cheaper. Therefore, many owners are thinking about how to paint the closet and update other furnishings. You can do this yourself. You just have to stock up on free time and the necessary materials.
Decoupage is one of the types of decorative painting of furniture in order to update the appearance
Choosing paint
At home, you can paint cabinets with acrylic paint. It can be diluted with water or given the desired shade by adding pigment. The main advantage over alkyd or oil is the absence of a pungent odor.
Coloring is a very simple process. Even a novice painter can cover furniture with acrylic without streaks or smudges. The applied layer can be washed off only in the first hours after painting. If the layer dries, this will no longer be possible.
The final result depends on the choice of paint
You can repaint a wooden cabinet for the living room or kitchen furniture made of MDF with alkyd enamel. Glossy, matte and semi-matte paint applies evenly to the surface. Has many colors and shades. Has a slight odor. Therefore, painting should be done in a well-ventilated area.
Materials and tools required for work
To prepare and repaint the cabinet, you will need the following tools:
- brush, paint roller or spray gun;
- paper-based tape;
- spatula;
- sandpaper with an abrasive layer of medium and fine fraction;
- block for securing the emery.
A spray gun is a convenient tool that requires experience and dexterity, but allows you to get a very even layer
Using a grinding machine or drill with special attachments will help speed up the preparatory work. In addition, you will need a wide container of water and rags for drying and cleaning the surface to be treated.
The master himself determines what is more convenient for him to work with - a roller or a brush.
The brush applies the paint carefully, the layer is evenly distributed over the surface to be treated. Using this tool it is convenient to paint small furniture elements, as well as places where it is difficult to reach.
It's better to have several brushes on hand. A wide one will be needed for applying enamel to parts with a large smooth surface. It is more convenient to handle corners, panels and other decorative elements with a thin brush.
Application of primer
The primer is applied to ensure high-quality adhesion of the furniture surface to the paint. It also protects furniture from moisture, temperature changes, and reduces enamel consumption. When using acrylic, it is necessary to treat the doors and sides with the same primer. If painting is carried out with alkyd enamel, it is worth purchasing an appropriate base. Their components fit perfectly together.
Read also: How to make a bookcase with your own hands at home?
The primer is applied with a brush or roller in a thin layer and left to dry. After this, the staining procedure begins.
Pre-treatment of the surface before painting
Technological features
You need to paint the cabinet outside (when there is no wind) or in a room with good ventilation. All tools and materials must be located near the work site. First you need to unscrew all the fittings.
The enamel should have a liquid consistency. When thickened, it is diluted with a solvent (alkyd) or water (acrylic).
The first layer has a lighter shade than the main one. After complete drying, the paint is applied a second time, if necessary, completed with a third layer. The strokes are applied carefully, moving in one direction.
A thick layer of paint gives a more saturated color. To achieve translucent wood grain, which is important for the Provence style, painting is carried out once and with liquid enamel.
Expert opinion
Victoria Chernikova
Decorator
Masking tape helps you get the job done neatly. It is used to seal small decorative details while the main area is being processed. After this, the tape is removed and enamel is applied to the unpainted elements.
If you plan to have several colors, cover the different areas with tape.
A few days later, when the paint is completely dry, the cabinet is varnished. This is necessary so that the surface does not fade and is not damaged by any mechanical impact. After the varnish has dried, removable parts are installed.
Features of painting MDF and chipboard
To paint an MDF cabinet in a different color, you need to carefully prepare the surface - degrease and sand. The primer is applied in at least two layers, then dried.
Painting is carried out using a brush or roller (this is the most inexpensive method). But it is better to use an aerosol or spray gun. The enamel is applied in a thin layer, dried, and the manipulations are repeated 3-4 times.
It is better to process doors made of MDF and chipboard in a horizontal position. Then the layer of paint will evenly cover the area and no drips will appear.
Features of painting natural wood
A solid wood cabinet is painted following the technology described above. But the natural material is more durable than chipboard or MDF. Therefore, pre-treatment of furniture should be carried out using a hair dryer. The old varnish and paint are heated with hot air and easily removed with a spatula.
Furniture is one of those interior items that are purchased with the expectation of long service. It is not at all necessary to throw away used furnishings if, after repairing the body and facades, they no longer fit the interior or simply require updating. If the structure is strong and functionally satisfactory, it is enough to know how to paint an old cabinet with your own hands so that it can serve again and delight you with its appearance.
Is it possible to paint an old cabinet?
It all depends on the material from which it is made and in what condition it is. Smooth varnished surfaces require a special approach. For example, removing polish from the facades of Soviet furniture made in the 80s, if it has obvious signs of time in the form of chips and cracks, is labor-intensive and pointless. It is unlikely that this will be done neatly and evenly.
If the cabinet itself is in good condition and does not require restoration, then it can be painted with chalk paint. Chalk paint fits perfectly on surfaces made of veneer, wood, plywood, chipboard and MDF. Unlike acrylic, which requires:
- Complete removal of the varnish layer (for better adhesion of the coating to the surface). To do this, you will have to arm yourself with a whole arsenal of tools for sanding and sanding the old cabinet.
- Washing and removing dust from the surface, followed by degreasing.
- Applying primer and special contact agents before painting.
But with chalk paint the painting process is simplified:
- Glossy varnish and smooth surface are not a hindrance. There is no need to sand off the top layer of an old polished cabinet.
- Before painting, the surface of the old cabinet should also be washed, dusted and degreased.
- If the furniture has been painted with oil paints or coated with drying oil in the past, or the type of coating cannot be determined, it is recommended to use blocking primers before painting. This will eliminate the possibility of strange stains appearing.
- In all other cases, the role of the primer will be played by the first layer of chalk paint. It needs to be allowed to dry for several hours.
What you need for painting
The most time-consuming and financially consuming process is preparing an old cabinet for painting. You may need:
- Sandpaper of different grits for sanding the top coat for better adhesion to the paint, a sponge and a brush for removing dust.
- Metal brushes for brushing if the cabinet is made of solid wood and the goal is to make the wood texture more expressive before painting.
- Grinding machine for automating sanding and brushing. By the way, you can use a screwdriver or drill with special attachments for this.
- A heat gun and a scraper/trowel if the old cabinet has been painted in the past.
- Wood putty for filling holes and irregularities, spatula.
- Solvent, primer, paint tray, masking tape, gloves and other protective items (apron, goggles, respirator, etc.).
- Narrow and wide brushes for painting, foam or velor rollers. Ideally, a spray gun.
Before the advent of chalk paints, acrylic-based compositions were most in demand. Acrylic paints have many advantages: they are diluted with water and easy to mix, dry quickly, do not have a strong odor and are resistant to abrasion. Optimal for painting cabinets in children's rooms, bedrooms and kitchens.
To comply with safety precautions, painting should be done in the fresh air or in a well-ventilated area, away from flammable objects and potential sources of fire.
The nuances of coloring
- If the goal is to paint the cabinet white or any other light shade, the surface must be carefully primed. It is also better to choose an acrylic-based primer for furniture that matches the paint.
- Priming also needs to be done for chipboard, since this material strongly absorbs moisture (and, accordingly, paint consumption will be high). Laminated chipboard, on the contrary, absorbs very poorly and it is better to use a more viscous alkyd enamel for painting.
- The visual effect of painting also depends on how many layers of paint were applied.
- Translucency is appropriate in order to emphasize the texture of the wood - here it would be appropriate to apply one or two layers, preferably with a roller. More dense brush painting involves applying several layers.
- When combining several colors, apply lighter shades first, then darker ones. The boundaries are marked with masking tape. For a smooth gradient, the “from light to dark” principle is also used, gradually introducing color pigment.
The final coating after painting an old cabinet can be wax or varnish.
Wax adds depth to the selected shade and a pleasant velvety feel. However, over time it wears out, washes out and requires updating. Therefore, it is not suitable as a topcoat for cabinets in kitchens, bathrooms and hallways.
Water-based varnishes give a more stable finishing layer. You shouldn’t expect such a noble matte finish like wax from them. Even compositions marked “matte” impart a slight gloss to the painted surface.
Polyurethane varnishes ideal for finishing painted cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom, as they form a protective layer on the surface that is more resistant to abrasion and mechanical stress. But they should only be applied in a well-ventilated area.
Also, for additional patination effects and artificial aging of furniture, you can use additional compositions - varnishes and topcoats of various brands.
Painting is not always a panacea for updating furniture. It is quite possible that it will be appropriate for the cabinet body, but the facades will require replacement. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with it to choose the best option.
We will look at how to repaint a chipboard cabinet in this article. After all, if a chipboard cabinet has become old and shabby, this is not a reason to throw it in the trash. Any cabinet will look brand new by simply repainting it.
Old furniture should not be thrown away if the problem is only cosmetic repairs; the fact is that it is often made of higher quality and durable materials, unlike modern ones. With proper care, an old cabinet will last even longer than a new one. And the cost of the work will not be significant.
The same applies to any other piece of Soviet-made furniture. Painting is done around the perimeter of the cabinet. All instructions are given below.
All work can be done entirely with your own hands. You can see this in the video in this article and photos. The work is done in stages, each stage is important in its own way.
You should also not forget about preparing the plane. Not just the appearance, but also the durability will largely depend on the quality of this work.
Note: It's worth noting that the material doesn't really matter that much. You can repaint both wooden furniture and chipboard furniture. The main difference between chipboard furniture is that this material absorbs moisture less, so the process of complete drying will take much longer than wood. In addition, chipboard does not require a large amount of primer before painting, so it is much easier to obtain the desired color.
Previously
Before you start painting the cabinet, you need to remove all removable parts - handles, hinges, doors and drawers. Ultimately, only the frame should remain of the cabinet. The place where you are going to paint the cabinet should be well ventilated; if possible, it is better to work with paint in the fresh air.
In order to prepare the surface of an old cabinet for painting, you need:
- Skin with varying degrees of grain;
- Flat brush;
- Unnecessary rag or sponge.
Please note: It is not easy to apply an even layer with a brush. Therefore, it is better to use a spray bottle. Then you can apply the paint as efficiently as possible.
So:
- First, using a rag or sponge, you need to wash and/or clean the surface of accumulated dirt and dust. After cleaning the cabinet from dust, you can begin to remove the previous layers of varnish and paint (see How to remove old paint from wood without problems). Old paint is removed using coarse sandpaper; hand movements should be circular and sweeping. To ensure that new layers of paint lay smoothly and without roughness, thoroughly clean the surface of the cabinet from any uneven surfaces.
Important: Rub the surface carefully so as not to accidentally erase the veneer layer along with the remaining varnish and paint. You will have to tinker with the grouting of unevenness resulting from careless work.
- Some parts will need to be removed. Then there may be fringe along the edge. It will need to be removed. Otherwise it will be difficult to secure it back.
Cleaning up the edge
- When the surface of the cabinet is well treated with coarse sandpaper, you need to sweep away the dust using a flat brush. When cleaning the cabinet from dust, you should not use a rag, as the dust will only get into the microcracks on the surface and will not allow the paint to lie flat.
- Using fine-grain sandpaper, you need to treat those areas that were not possible to treat with coarse sandpaper. Usually these are corners, edges, some protruding elements. Once you have thoroughly worked on the surface with fine sandpaper, sweep the cabinet again with a brush.
We do plane processing
You cannot paint a cabinet in a dusty room, so the room should be washed thoroughly before painting. As noted earlier, dust can have a negative impact on the quality of the paint job.
What paint is better to use
Many people think about how to paint a chipboard cabinet. Water-based acrylic paint is the best choice for updating a cabinet, because it has a lot of advantages.
- The paint only needs to be diluted with water to obtain the desired color saturation; if you make a mistake, you can easily wash it off and paint the area again. Equally important when working indoors is that acrylic paint has virtually no odor. It is worth remembering, however, that after drying, acrylic paint acquires stronger properties, since the water evaporates from it. This must be taken into account when painting in several layers.
- It is not at all necessary to paint the cabinet one color, because there is a whole surface for experimentation. You can, for example, make a two-tone wardrobe using a neutral color, beige, for example, as the base. And to paint parts you can use contrasting colors.
- If the required color is not available, you can add color to white paint. If the closet is intended for a child's room, then you can show more imagination by using stencils with images of flowers, animals, and so on.
- To choose the right shades, you can try painting a small area of the cabinet first so you can get an idea of what color will look best.
How to prime
The process of priming before painting cannot be ignored; without it, it simply will not be possible to paint a chest of drawers or cabinet with high quality.
- The surface must be primed (see Priming wood before painting - features of the process). The primer will prevent moisture from being absorbed into the surface of the cabinet, which will speed up the drying process of the paint. Plus, after priming, the desired color will not be lost; after the paint dries, it will remain the same as it was when painting.
Attention: If you paint the surface without priming, then after drying some of the paint will be absorbed into the cabinet material, and the color may differ from what was intended.
- If you are going to paint the cabinet with acrylic paint, then the primer should be chosen on the same base - acrylic. The components of the paint and primer will interact wonderfully with each other, which will make the painting of the cabinet and other furniture better.
- Acrylic primer is very easy to use. Please read the primer instructions carefully before use. It is important to pay attention to the time it takes for the primer to dry, because paint should be applied to the surface only after the primer has dried. To buy the right amount of material, measure the surface of the cabinet before painting.
- For painting tools, a special roller is suitable for priming; try to apply the primer in as thin a layer as possible. When you finish priming its surface, leave the cabinet to dry for the time specified in the instructions.
Which tool to choose
When thinking about how to paint an old chipboard cabinet, you need to immediately worry about the tools. As a rule, the choice is between a roller and a brush.
So:
- In this case, it is important to take into account your own skills in working with the tool and preferences. But, nevertheless, it is more practical to paint the cabinet with a brush. Unlike a roller, it can apply paint in a more even layer; moreover, a roller will not be able to paint inside corners and other hard-to-reach areas.
- Specialized stores offer a huge selection of different brushes and rollers.. The choice of tool should be taken no less seriously than the choice of paint.
Attention: Buy high-quality tools from reliable manufacturers; you should not save money on this. Low-quality brushes may lose bristles during the painting process; they will remain in the paint, and it is impossible to remove them after painting. For easier work and convenience, it is recommended to purchase a set of brushes of different sizes.
How to paint a cabinet
Now let's directly look at how to paint a chipboard cabinet. So, before painting, you need to ventilate the room well and leave the windows open. If you can paint the cabinet outside, do it there.
- The first layer should be lighter than the tone you chose. Make sure that the paint does not thicken; to do this, simply dilute it with water periodically when you notice that it has begun to harden.
- The final color of the paint depends on the number of layers applied. If you painted the cabinet in one layer, the surface structure will show through. This is well suited for a Provence style interior.
- To get a denser coating, you need several layers of paint. Apply each new layer only after the previous one has dried. Work with the brush in only one direction, so the paint will lie more evenly, and when it dries, its surface will be even.
- If you decide to use paint of two or more colors, you should seal the borders with masking tape, so the colors will not mix with each other when painting, unless, of course, you do not need such an effect initially.
- The cabinet will dry completely in a few days, after which all that remains is to apply clear varnish over the paint. This is necessary to protect the painted surface. When the varnish has dried, you can assemble all the cabinet parts together.
As you can see, with the help of brushes and paints you can give old furniture a new life, turning it into an updated and interesting piece of furniture, just by using your imagination and a little effort.