“I loved that when I came home with this very specific gray in mind for this project that I could go to Clare’s site and look at their carefully curated selection of paint colors and easily pick out just the right shade without having to sift through a ton of different options,” says Desiree. These particular pieces didn’t need a lot of work and she was able to use everything in one of our supply kits to get the job done. If you’re looking for tips on how to paint wood furniture, here are some pointers to make sure you get a great result every time:

Prep the piece

Any time you’re painting wood furniture it’s really important to start with a clean work surface. So this means you want to clean off any sticky residue, dirt, or dust that’s accumulated over the years. You’ll also want to sand down any imperfections as well as lightly sand over the entire surface. Roughing up the surface helps the paint adhere better so it doesn’t easily knick or scratch. Use a fine-grit sandpaper to avoid creating scratches on the surface. Wipe off any dust before you start painting. A coat of primer is also a good idea to ensure a professional-looking finish as primer will help conceal imperfections and create a uniform base for a flawless paint finish.

Choose the right furniture paint

Desiree used our semi-gloss Trim Paint – the best paint for furniture because the higher sheen finish is easier to clean, more durable, and more moisture resistant. A lower-sheen finish isn’t ideal for furniture paint because it isn’t as durable or won’t hold up to wear and tear as well. No matter what finish you choose, you’ll really want to make sure the wood is in good shape with proper prep beforehand for best results.

Pick the right brush

If you feel confident in how to paint furniture you should be fine using an angled paint brush. Not only does it make it easy to get into small crevices, the combination of a good quality brush and paint will help minimize brush strokes too. If the piece has a large flat surface, like the top of a dresser, a mini roller with a super fine material like microfiber will give an ultra-smooth finish, while getting the job done quicker. Be sure to roll or brush in a consistent direction.

Do more than one coat

One coat usually isn’t enough on a piece of furniture so plan on doing two. Just make sure that you wait until the first coat is completely dry before starting on the second. It will make sure the coverage and color are consistent.