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How To Chalk Paint Furniture

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Want to transform your furniture the easy way? Painting with chalk paint offers the easiest way to give your furniture a makeover.  Out-of-date and ugly finishes can be covered and made to look new again with these simple techniques.

My daughter, Olivia, was in need of a little side table for her Boho bedroom makeover, thus I decided to use this side table I found in a thrift store for her room, but it needed a chalk paint update.

This post is part of a paint makeover challenge to see all the other amazing paint transformations be sure to check them all out at the end of this post.

At Home DIY

At Home DIY

Chalk paint furniture makeover

Chalk paint furniture makeover

DIY Topiary and chalk paint

DIY Topiary and chalk paint

Painting Furniture

The first step is selecting your paint. I enjoy the ease of chalk paint so that is my paint of choice. This not to be confused with chalkboard paint which is used to make a painted surface into a chalkboard. See this post about making a chalkboard HERE.

Side table before makeover

Side table before the makeover

The next step is investing in a quality paintbrush. In the past, I have used chip brushes, but they constantly shed bristles. Hence, I started looking for quality brushes and I found these amazing Cling On brushes.

Prepare Wood Furniture

It is not necessary to sand off all the old finish before painting with chalk paint, however, this piece of furniture had scratches and gouges that needed to be smoothed out.

Please note that sometimes it pays to sand and prime if the piece of furniture’s original finish is in poor condition or it has a very dark stain. I sanded and primed an old dark wardrobe and it turned out fantastic see it HERE.  Usually, I dust and wipe down before painting if the furniture’s finish is in good condition. Moreover, a light sanding will aid with the new paint adhering to the old finish.

Sanding the old finish

Sanding the old finish

Remove dust with a tack cloth

Remove dust with a tack cloth

Furniture Makeover Supplies

Furniture Makeover Supplies

Supplies For Painting Furniture

Let’s Getting Painting

Do I need to use a premier? The general answer is no. However, when painting with light colors over very dark stains there can sometimes be a bleed trough, thus test in an inconspicuous spot first.

For the best results dip your brush in water before using paint to help keep your paint wet and easier to apply a smooth coat. Apply the paint with the grain keeping the edge wet to avoid a blotchy finish. I have used spray paint that has chalk-style paint finish with great results see how I used it in this earlier post HERE.

Painting the first coat of paint

Painting the first coat of paint

The side table has two coats of paint and is ready for the stencil.

Side table painted

Side table painted

Applying a Painted Stencil

My daughter used the rug in her room as the inspiration to make this Mandala style stencil and you can download it here. After weeding it I used transfer paper to attach the design to the tabletop. Please note that you can use the cut design to cut a vinyl decal you can leave on the tabletop or use it as a stencil.

Vinyl Mandala Stencil

Vinyl Mandala Stencil

Adhering the stencil to the side table top

Adhering the stencil to the side tabletop

Using a sponge stipple I applied the paint in the gray areas inside the green vinyl.

Using a stipple sponge to apply paint over the stencil

Using a stipple sponge to apply paint over the stencil

Once the paint is applied I removed the Mandala stencil while the paint was still wet. Then I used a heat gun to dry it.

Drying the stencil paint

Drying the stencil paint

Choosing a Finish

The final step is choosing the correct finish for your project. To determine which finish you will need would depend upon your answer to two questions. What is the look you want to achieve and does it need protection from moisture? My favorite protective finish for tabletops is a water-resistant finish that can be applied with a sponge.

Distressing

Do you want to achieve a distressed or vintage look shabby chic? If so then you can easily get that look, here are my favorite options. First, you can either use 220 grit sandpaper to distress it then apply the finish or next, simply apply dark wax with a wax brush or a clean dry paint brush and use a clean white lint-free cloth to buff and remove excess wax.

Finished side table makeover

Finished side table makeover

This project took very little effort, time and money, but it looks amazing and expensive. It is easy to achieve these results with chalk paint, however, you can use latex paint on furniture and for the stencil too.

Want to learn how to make this gorgeous flower topiary? See the how-to make this simply made topiary video HERE.

DIY Topiary and chalk paint

DIY Topiary and chalk paint

This handmade tray is another new addition my daughter made for her room. You can see her rug that she used as inspiration for the Mandala vinyl decal design for the chalk paint furniture stencil. She cut the wood letters with her Cricut Maker. You can learn how to make a custom wood tray with wood letters and resin with Olivi’s post see it here.

DIY wood tray

DIY wood tray

Romantic Boho Chic Room Transformation

Do you want to see more DIY projects for my daughter’s Romantic Boho Chic bedroom transformation? I promise you will love everything we are doing on a tight budget with a ton of DIY’s so join us as we get swept away into a romantic Boho room transformation. Have you been dreaming of a magazine-worthy home? But don’t know where to start?

You might also enjoy:

DIY Easter Tote from scrap wood.

Wooden Tote for Easter, FREE pattern, Vintage style tote, up-cycle

Wooden Tote for Easter

See this easy Spring Wreath Tutorial HERE.

Easy Hoop Wreath

Easy Hoop Wreath

Easy hairpin leg tables build from a fallen tree.

 

More Paint Project Inspirations

 

See More Update With Paint Projects
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Thank you so much for your visit today. I hope you found some inspiration.

Have a great day,

Kippi

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Our Hopeful Home

Monday 23rd of March 2020

I'm a huge chalk paint fan, but I have to admit I never apply any wax or coating at the end. Your tips are great and the table looks 150% better! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm. xo Kathleen.

Marty Walden

Monday 23rd of March 2020

Love that stencil and paint job! Amazing! Thank you for sharing your handiwork with us!

Allyson

Saturday 21st of March 2020

I love seeing a thrift store transformation. Yours turned out great and I love the mandala design your daughter chose to create. Visiting from A Morning Cup of Joe.

Kippi

Saturday 21st of March 2020

Thank you so much for your visit today. I love a good chalk paint makeover too. Happy and safe spring,

Kippi

Sarah @ The DIY Mommy

Friday 20th of March 2020

Great tips and it turned out fantastic! Love the decal!

Kippi

Saturday 21st of March 2020

Thank you so much for your visit! I love to paint with chalk paint, spray paint and craft paint. I just love to craft:) I always enjoy following your projects on your YouTube channel!!! Please have a happy, healthy and safe spring, Kippi

Cherryl Ehlenburg

Tuesday 17th of March 2020

That turned out great, and I love that you chose the pattern based on a rug, so they go together! After waiting for what seems like an eternity, I will be receiving my Cricut tomorrow, and can hardly wait to start learning how to use it!

Kippi

Wednesday 18th of March 2020

Thank you so much for your visit today. Using my Cricut Maker to make vinyl decals for chalk paint stencils, crafting and decorating has been a joy. You are going to love it. I have a little video on how to use it. Happy crafting, Kippi

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