A Step by Step Guide on How to Chalk Paint Furniture
Find out how to chalk paint furniture with this easy tutorial and give your thrift store, outdated, or family heirloom furniture new life!
The great thing about chalk painting furniture is there is no need to sand or prime your furniture first. Chalk paint adheres to just about anything beautifully even laminate.
This is a great product for first-time painters using chalk paint, to achieve a beautiful professional finish and had the flexibility to fit any style with different finishes.
First things first, what is chalk paint?
You may be wondering what the difference between chalk paint and regular latex paint is. Chalk paint gets its name from the matte, chalky appearance that comes from the plaster of Paris or calcium carbonate in the chalk paint whereas latex does not have that ingredient.
It has also made a name for itself as it is easier to apply than latex paint because you do not have to sand or prime the surface before using it.
Why chalk-paint furniture?
Besides not having to prepare your furniture for chalk paint with priming or sanding, you can apply the paint to almost any surface indoors or outdoors, and chalk paint dries quickly to the touch. Try it on walls, furniture, glass, metal, plaster, wood, or concrete.
It is especially great for intricate furniture with its ease of application and ease of distress or giving an aged appearance. Likewise, you can get also get a smooth clean finish!
How do you chalk paint furniture step by step?
- Remove any hardware from your furniture.
- Wipe down with a damp cloth to clean any dust or grime.
- Stir the chalk paint with a stir stick or anything else you have on hand.
- Use a soft bristle brush, dip it into the paint can, wipe away excess paint on the edge of the can, and paint directly onto the furniture.
- Once the first coat is dry to the touch, apply a second coat as needed.
- Seal with a coat of wax or other furniture sealants. Wait up to two weeks for the seal to completely cure.
How to chalk paint furniture distressed
- Remove any hardware from your furniture.
- Wipe down with a damp cloth to clean any dust or grime.
- Stir the chalk paint with a stir stick or anything else you have on hand.
- Use a soft bristle brush, dip it into the paint can, wipe away excess paint on the edge of the can, and paint directly onto the furniture. Use a base coat paint color.
- Once the first coat is dry to the touch, apply a second coat of paint in a contrasting color all over or dry brush to highlight raised areas.
- Apply a layer of paste wax with a clean cloth or brush.
- Once the wax is dry to the touch, start sanding where you want to destress the piece of furniture to reveal the first coat of color. Try sanding where you would see natural wear and tear for the best results.
- Seal with one more coat of wax and let completely cure, about two weeks, before heavy use.
What to seal chalk-painted furniture with
The best option to protect chalk-painted furniture is paste wax.
Pros and Cons of Chalk Paint
- The pros of chalk paint are that it does not require any prep work like priming or sanding and it can be used on just about any surface or material. It also has durability while still being a water-based paint for easy clean up and use.
- The cons of chalk paint are that it can be expensive and you it can require an additional step of wax or other protective seals on chalk-painted furniture. Both of these are addressed below!
What happens if you don’t wax it?
Chalk paint on furniture can get marked by water and scuffs. Protect it with wax or a coat of polyurethane or polyacrylic. Furniture wax is the most popular finish for chalk-painted furniture.
DIY Chalk Paint Recipe
To make your own chalk paint, mix 1/3 cup of cool water and 1/3 cup of plaster of pairs into 1 cup of latex paint. Stir until smooth.
What kind of chalk paint should I use?
I’ve only added chalk paint powder to paint with a brand that is no longer around so I’ve rounded up the most popular ones my blogging friends use and you can find a really cool guide for 11 different chalk paint brands from this blogger!
- Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
- Rustoleum Chalked Paint
- Country Chic Chalk Paint
- FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Paint
My Chalk Paint Furniture Before and After
I’m excited to share my first chalk paint furniture project I did 9 years ago! A beautiful federal-style mahogany table at Habitat for Humanity coffee table my husband and I rescued. It turned out to be one of my favorite furniture makeovers.
It was in pretty rough shape with pieces of molding missing, most of the stain was gone on top of the table, and it had loose hardware. But the brass lion head pulls, brass feet, and side extensions were fabulous features that I knew had potential.
When it first came home and was cleaned up, two white lacquered trays from Pier One (RIP) were placed on top to hide all of its scratches and worn areas. The trays fit beautifully and the solution worked for a while.
But then, I had the chance to try a new product, chalk powder, and took the opportunity for a makeover. I picked a channel color gray with a flat finish and turned it into chalk paint with the paint powder.
The chalk paint goes on like a dream. I painted two coats within an hour and my coffee table was completely covered. (It took less than a cup of paint!)
The chalky, flat finish was the look I wanted for this coffee table and the brass lion head pulls and feet stood out so much more. It really showcased the beautiful details in this table.
The white trays still looked gorgeous on top and the chalk painted furniture made our living room look fresher and light.
Now, four houses, later, it sits in my sister’s master bedroom’s seating area still looking gorgeous!
Do you have an old furniture piece that could use a makeover? I hope you try this amazing product!
Chalk Paint Furniture Projects and DIYs
Easy chalk-painted furniture projects and other chalk-paint DIYs you can do in under an hour.
Simple Fall Tablescape
A simple Fall tablescape with DIY chalk-painted and gold stripes plate chargers.
Stool Makeover with Chalk Paint
Update an IKEA step stool with chalk paint and a fun, cheeky message.
Kids Table Set Makeover
An IKEA kids' table set gets a stylish makeover with a chalk paint finish.
A Glass Canister DIY with Copper Lids and Chalkboard Labels
Give your kitchen canister set a makeover in a few simple steps.
Salvaged Fireplace Mantel Surround
A salvaged fireplace mantel gets a chalky makeover with this extreme before and after.
DIY Desk Accessory Holder
A creative memo board DIY with accessory holders perfect for a small office space makeover.
Fireplace Makeover Inspired by Genevieve Gorder
A faux fireplace mantel surround gets a makeover with chalk paint and new styling inspired by an interior designer.
DIY Fall Feather Chalkboard Art
Update a cheesy big box store wall hanging with chalk paint for a quick refresh!
How to Make a Copper Leaf Noel Basket
A gorgeous holiday DIY with a cheap craft board, chalk paint, and copper leaf gilding.
Personalized Bar Stool Makeover
Have fun with your furniture by adding a chalk paint accent that you can personalize with chalk!
DIY Glass and Copper Spice Jars with Chalk Labels
Update your spice rack with glass seasoning jars and DIY copper and chalk lids.
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Kathy, the coffee table looks amazing. Thanks so much for giving us the opportunity to share this with your fans.
Thanks Nancy! I loved using the paint powder!!
Very nice! I like how the gray shows off the details and the hardware.
Thanks Louise, it did turn out lovely with the hardware.
Oh I love it! You did a great job!
Thanks Amber!! It was so easy to do. Paint projects like that make me wonder why I don’t paint more often. It was too easy. 🙂
That coffee table is looking fantastic!!! So chic!
What a sweet compliment. Thanks Christine!
What an interesting product! I just moved into my first apartment and I really want to make all of my thrown together thrift store furniture pieces work together, so paint is the obvious solution! This powder seems like exactly what I need, it should work on laminate right?
Yes, it adheres to laminate, rock, glass, wood, metal, and clay. It’s super easy to work with. 🙂
Wow! It looks great! I love that color. 🙂
Thanks Logan!! Warm grays are my favorite to work with. 🙂
What a great coffee table redo! I haven’t found anything that cool at Habitat, but I keep going back! 🙂
My husband spotted it outside and it looked awful. Really dirty and green corrosion allover the brass and a leaf was loose. When I spotted the lion heads, I knew I had to have it. She turned out so pretty! Good luck with your thrifty searches!
You guys did a great job with the makeover. Your room is very attractive.
Thanks Reginia! I’ve been slowly working around our “rental limitations” (including the paint color). We really love the space now!
Oh… I am interested in trying poppie’s. I love the gray that you chose.
Thanks Carmody! I already have a list of furniture to paint with it. 🙂
I absolutely love the color and the room is beautiful! We have a Habitat place near our home that I’d love to go check out. Great job!
Thanks so much for the sweet words Artney! I think the coffee table is the coolest thing we have found at Habitat. It’s a great place to look for building supplies.
Looks great! I love the color and especially love the lack of elbow grease!
Me too! I can’t believe it only took an hour. Furniture makeovers usually take me two days!
That looks FABULOUS! I just love it!
Thanks so much Erin! It looks so much better now. 🙂
I loved this redo! That color is so perfect and that hardware is awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks MJ! The lion heads are what sold me on it!
This is a beautiful makeover. Did you have to seal the paint with anything?
Thank you Lynn. Usually, I seal painted furniture with a furniture wax but bc of the chalk finish I didn’t with the coffee table. It has done beautifully.