Painted Dining Room Furniture Ideas

Painted Dining Room Furniture Ideas

A dining room table or chair is a good candidate for refurbishing as long as it is sturdy and the surface is not too badly damaged. Paint is the least expensive and easiest way to refresh old furniture. Painting enables you to choose colors which coordinate with your wall color and upholstered pieces. Consider painting a table and chairs in different colors or using one technique on chairs and another on the table for a more eclectic look.

Enamel

Enamel paint if often used to paint kitchen and bathroom cabinets. It is well-suited for furniture because it is a tough, durable surface which holds up well to the wear and tear dining room furniture receives. Choose high-quality water-based enamel for ease of application and cleanup. Semi-gloss or satin finishes work well for furniture and don't have the shiny look which highlights imperfections. Apply the first coat, let dry overnight and sand. Remove sanding residue and apply a second coat. Two coats should sufficiently cover the old surface and provide a smooth, hard finish. On table tops, paint with the wood grain in long, even strokes.

Antique glaze

Antiquing glaze adds an old-world touch to painted furniture. Paint furniture pieces with two coats of water-based enamel in the color or colors of your choice. Let dry overnight. Mix one part brown paint with three parts glaze, which can be purchased at a paint or hardware store. Brush on a generous amount of glaze mixture, and then wipe it off with cheesecloth or a rag. Wipe in long, even strokes in the same direction. Ensure glaze settles into cracks, crevices and decorative details. Keep applying glaze and wiping it off until you are satisfied with the finish. Work in small sections on larger pieces to keep the glaze from drying out. When glaze has dried thoroughly, protect with one or two coats of satin water-based varnish.

White wash

A simulated lime wash or pickled finish hides many flaws and gives even the most disreputable pieces a fresh, contemporary look. Wipe all pieces with liquid sander to remove dirt and to rough up the surface. If wood is extremely dark, consider stripping it or sanding it with sandpaper to remove the darkest layer of the finish. Clean sand or strip residue and let the pieces dry thoroughly. Mix creamy-white latex enamel in a satin finish with water until it has the consistency of cream. Paint furniture with this mixture. Thin with water if you like a sheer look; add more paint if you want less opaqueness. The idea is to see the wood through the white paint, which takes the place of the original lime wash. Wipe up drips and runs as you go. For a tropical look, use this technique on table and chairs. For a more sophisticated, contemporary look, paint your table in black enamel and whitewash the chairs.

Tags: contemporary look, even strokes, Furniture Ideas, lime wash, long even, long even strokes