Update old bedroom furniture with fresh paint.
Painting wooden bedroom furniture can be a simple way to update or change the look of an entire bedroom. Change the color of furniture, or create antiqued or distressed effects to existing pieces. Experiment with colors and textures with different kinds of paint.
Add Color
Use basic paint techniques to add color interest to otherwise simple or plain pieces of bedroom furniture. Headboards in particular are ideal for colored paint because they tend to be a focal point of a bedroom. Prepare a wooden headboard for paint by sanding away the finish or stain on the surface of the wood with medium grain sandpaper. Select a paint color that matches existing colors in the room. Choose a color that appears in the bedspread, or pick a color that is a shade darker or lighter than the wall color but in the same color family. Apply a base coat of paint using a roller for a smooth finish. Allow the paint to dry completely before adding a second coat. For even more visual interest, paint only the interior section of the headboard, leaving the wood trim of the board natural.
Faux Finish
Give wooden dressers and nightstands a unique look by using paint and wax to create a faux finish. Select three colors of paint to create a faux finish. Colors from two different color families (a dark blue, a sky blue and an orange-red, for instance) create the most dramatic look. Apply the first coat of paint with a brush; this bottom layer will be the most subtle of the three colors. Once dry, apply a painter's wax with a clean rag. Use a brush to apply the second over the wax, and then re-apply more painter's wax after it has dried. Over the wax, use a paintbrush to cover the entire surface in a crackle coat. Cover the dried crackle coat with the remaining paint color in one coat. The crackle effect will be apparent immediately. Once everything has dried, sand the furniture with fine grain paper and apply a final coat of wax to seal the faux finish.
Car Paint
Car or automotive paints come in spray-can form. They provide even coverage and can add vibrant color and texture to wooden bedroom furniture including dressers, nightstands and armoires. There are thousands of colors available, and most automotive paints include specks of gold glitter or sparkles, which can turn bedroom furniture into focal points of the room. Sand and wipe clean wooden surfaces to prepare them. If possible, move furniture outdoors because the fumes from spray automotive paint can be toxic. Apply a base coat following the paint's instructions. Once dry, apply even layers of paint in long, straight lines to ensure even coverage. Allow the paint to dry completely before deciding on a second coat. Automotive paint is also a good option for wooden mirror frames.
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