13 Best Paint for Furniture of 2020 | Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

Give your furniture a new look with a fresh coat of paint. Sounds cool, right?

That’s what most of us think when we decide to buy paint for furniture as it’s seemingly too simple to get a can of our favorite color. But then it’s not the same as purchasing paint for the wall as there are a lot of other factors at play.

You could be a seasoned DIY-er or a professional who knows their paints, front to back, but you may still need help figuring out what works on what. That’s why we took it upon ourselves to put together a comprehensive guide and find the most happening selection of furniture paints.

Obviously, we had to look through extensive catalogs, do our research on compositions, and dig up more about the highest rated products. It was only after a lot of groundwork that we ended up with 13 best paint for furniture.

So without further ado, let’s dish, shall we?

Best Paints for Furniture

1. Retique It by Renaissance Chalk Finish Paint

Our top pick not only has a regal name but also adds a sophisticated touch on furniture and cabinets, creating a look you’d love to show off. Furthermore, Renaissance works well on new wooden pieces and also does an excellent touch-up job on previously painted wallboard, interior masonry, plaster, metal, or glass.

Why Did We Like it?

If you want a smooth and well-covered finish on any piece of furniture, you can rely on Renaissance to execute it flawlessly. With this high-quality paint, there are no endlessly tiresome sessions of priming and sanding involved. And neither do you need to indulge in multiple coats to get the desired consistency.

Simply put on a single coat on the furniture or cabinet surface to create the perfect vintage, contemporary, or even shabby chic look you want. Apart from the effortless application, we also like that this product is environment-friendly and is safe for indoor use, around children and pets.

What Could’ve Been Better? 

We absolutely love the smooth finish of the paint and the fact that it contains no VOC (volatile organic compound). However, you have to leave the furniture you applied it on for an extended drying period. Avoid applying a second coat before the first layer dries up fully as you’ll end up with globs all over the surface.

2. Nuvo Cocoa Couture Cabinet Paint Kit

If you want to give the kitchen a low-cost makeover, we suggest buying this paint kit from Nuvo that will completely revamp the boring kitchen cabinets. You may not have premium quality wooden cabinets installed in the cooking area, but with this paint, you can surely create an appealing facade.

Why Did We Like it?

For starters, this is a reliable kit containing everything you need to upgrade the appearance of cabinets made from wood, painted metal, or primed laminate, without requiring lots of prep. Furthermore, you don’t even have to remove the doors of the kitchen cabinets before beginning the paint job.

We liked the superior quality of the paint and flawlessly smooth finish of the product that can liven up any antique cabinet. Lastly, this water-based acrylic paint and primer kit will allow you to cover 100 sq ft of cabinet surface adequately, which is the appropriate quantity for the average kitchen in a modern home.

What Could’ve Been Better?

We do not have any complaints regarding the quality of the product, but you may need to undertake some preparatory work before applying the paint. In case your cabinet surfaces have not been cleaned for a while, follow the list of sanding and cleaning instructions so that the paint adheres perfectly to the cabinet body.

3. Rust-Oleum 329598 Chalked Ultra Matte Paint

Next up is the Chalked Ultra Matte Paint from the house of Rust-Oleum that works on multiple surfaces including metal, wood, ceramics, and canvas. So if you want a royal, velvety matte appearance on the furniture, you can rely on this premium quality paint to do a splendid job without fail.

Why Did We Like it? 

To begin with, we’re impressed with the excellent coverage and adhesion of this ultra matte paint. Therefore, we recommend this product to busy homeowners who are looking to jazz up their old furniture while avoiding a long and elaborate prepping session.

Furthermore, it is easy to apply and dries up in just half an hour, without any peel off. Also, since the paint rapidly sets on the surface, it’s convenient to use around children and pets as there’s less risk of smudging.

Overall, it’s a praiseworthy item that can transform and rejuvenate old furnishings in a snap and is also perfect for creating an innovative distressed look without any surface preparation.

What Could’ve Been Better?

As already mentioned earlier, the Ultra Matte Paint from Rust-Oleum is a premium quality paint and therefore comes at a steep price. Nevertheless, if you want to achieve that marvelous, smooth look, we recommend investing in this item. However, you can always look for cheaper alternatives if you’re on a tight budget.

4. General Finishes QAW Milk Paint

So when we say Milk Paint, we do not mean it in the literal sense, but what General Finishes offers is a traditional paint with a strong mineral base. However, it is surprisingly adaptable, UV resistant and can be used both indoors and outdoors on a range of items including furniture, crafts, and cabinets.

Why Did We Like it?

First and foremost, we like this durable furniture paint for perfectly adhering to surfaces and not chipping away easily. Furthermore, you need not apply a top coat on the surfaces, but we recommend putting one on furniture placed in high traffic areas like kitchen, living space, or dining room.

Other than that, we like that the product can be used on surfaces created from raw wood and existing finishes without any adhesion issues. Besides, this milk paint is perfect for repurposing old pieces of furniture as it facilitates easy cleaning and maintenance post-application. All in all, it’s a good choice if you’re looking to create a long lasting, low-luster look on your chairs, tables, cabinets, etc.

What Could’ve Been Better? 

We are, for most parts, happy with the overall paint quality, but we’re not satisfied with the results while applying multiple coats. That being said, while testing this product, the paint seemed to get a bit chunky when more than two coatings were needed. Therefore, you must be careful while applying additional coats as you don’t want to spoil the finish.

5. Folk Art Home Decor Chalk Paint Set

If you would rather invest in a set than buy individual cans, you can settle for this top-drawer selection from Folk Art. On that note, you can play around with 9 different color options and fashion a beautiful toned down look on your furniture that will surely create a buzz among your guests. 

Why Did We Like it? 

Firstly, this is a highly functional and versatile paint kit that can add interesting details to a variety of surfaces, including, metal, wood, ceramic, terra cotta, paper, fabric, and glass. 

Besides, these are water-based paints, so cleaning up after application is quite easy and doesn’t come in the way of the upcycling process. Simply use some soap and water for regular cleaning to maintain the classy look of your furniture. 

Other than that, we like that the product is safe for indoor use as it does not contain any form of toxins. Also, you can use this high-quality color set to create a distressed and layered on the furniture for adding a whole different vibe to your interior setup. 

What Could’ve Been Better? 

The 9 bottles of paints come in 59ml containers each, so it’s practically more of a sample set and not a full-size kit. Therefore, you can buy this set for a small project that does not require a lot of coverage. However, it is not suitable for any major applications as the quantity is just not enough. 

6. Rust-Oleum 253537 Metallic Accents Paint

So if you’re looking to add grandeur to your existing furniture, you can never go wrong with the Rust-Oleum Metallic Accents Paint. Long story short, this is an advanced water-based paint that offers a rich metallic finish for a variety of projects, including furniture, doors, walls, ceilings, trim, and more. 

Why Did We Like it? 

Let’s just start by saying that is one-step paint contains real mica beads to deliver an outstanding shimmer effect when any light hits the coating. Therefore, you can throw in some pizzazz to your existing decor by glamming up your furniture with this elegant metallic paint.

Furthermore, we like that it does not smell, unlike some other products at this price range. Also, the paint becomes touch dry merely 30 minutes after applying, so you do not have to wait much longer for the sparkling, high-end finish. Lastly, we like how low maintenance this paint is as you can simply use soap and water to clean and preserve the iridescent effect. 

What Could’ve Been Better? 

We are pleased with the beautiful, shimmery effect it creates on the surfaces. However, you may require multiple coats to get the desired glowing effect on your furniture or cabinets. So in case, you have a lot of surfaces to paint, make sure to buy and apply the product in generous amounts for best results.

7. Dixie Belle Paint Company Satin Coat

We’re halfway through our recommendations, and now is a good time to introduce the Chalk Finish Paint from Dixie Belle. On that note, this product stands out because of two things; it is quick to dry and pretty hard to mess. Therefore, if you’re a beginner, we suggest you start with this item for a seamless application. 

Why Did We Like it? 

To begin with, we like that this paint does not require stripping, sanding, and priming before applying on any surface. Thus saving you hours of work, as it’s otherwise also pretty easy to use and does not require a lot of experience in terms of brush strokes. 

Other than that, we like how pigmented this product is, offering better coverage than most other competitors at the same price range. 

Besides, this is a well-made product as it allows you to mix it with chalk finish furniture paints to brighten up any furniture with a high satin finish. Also, we like that it does not contain any form of toxins, making it safe for indoor use.  

What Could’ve Been Better? 

We like the easy brush application of this product that is best suited for DIY-ers trying to do a nice touch-up job on their previously owned furniture. However, the item is on the pricier side, and we recommend using this only if you do not find a cheaper, equally effective alternative. 

8. BB Frosch Chalk Paint Powder

The BB Frösch is a premium quality alternative to pre-mixed chalk paints that readily blends with any regular latex or acrylic paint to transform it into rich and creamy colors. With this special powder, you can get all the benefits of chalk paint and achieve a flat finish on your furniture.  

Why Did We Like it? 

For starters, we like that this unique and special mix of minerals can combine with virtually any color and create the most fascinating, even-textured hues for your furniture. Also, to get better bonding than premix products, you can simply adjust the amount of powder for superior adhesion.

Furthermore, not only does it provide you with the flexibility to create a variety of attractive finishes but also cuts down on cost and reduces waste. To explain further, this powder is capable of mixing up to 1 gallon of paint so you can use specifically the amount needed to cover a particular project. 

What Could’ve Been Better? 

We like this 100% natural chalk paint powder that offers better coverage than it’s ready-made counterparts. However, all things considered, it is not the most affordable option for small-scale projects. Therefore, you won’t get the best use of it if you don’t need multiple color options for painting over different surfaces. 

9. Majic Paints 8-9400-2 Diamond Hard Satin Paint

If you did not like the price on our previous item, you might find this Majic Paints product quite appealing. On that note, this highly versatile satin paint is an excellent choice for repurposing furniture, cabinets, and other surfaces that need a whole new look to give serious transformation goals. 

Why Did We Like it? 

First off, we like that this product has broad applicability on a range of surfaces including wood, metal, brick, drywall, glass, plastic, tile, steel, vinyl and masonry. Besides, if you’re creative enough to try it, you can also use this paint on other surfaces, and we feel you wouldn’t be disappointed. 

Other than that, we like that it can be used for both indoor and outdoor purposes, offering an incredibly durable and resistant satin enamel finish. Furthermore, this product uses a water-based formula that offers added convenience and safety, and will most likely outperform conventional oil based paints in any situation. 

What Could’ve Been Better? 

To be honest, we like the quality and the price of this paint, but there are few minor concerns regarding the application. That being said, while testing the product, we found some bubbles when we went for top coats. Therefore, the texture was not entirely smooth throughout the surface as there are some inconsistencies. 

10. Beyond Paint Refinishing Paint

What if there was one paint that could work as a bonder, primer, and finisher? Well, that’s no longer a mere thought as this Beyond Paint product can do all of that and more. So if you think your old dresser or accent piece needs a look enhancement, try out this fail-safe paint for a gorgeous look.  

Why Did We Like it?

So when you intend to class up the furniture in the living space, why put up with shabby when you can have snazzy? As with the latter, you get the option of using this Beyond Paint product that works like a charm without any sanding, priming, or stripping. 

Furthermore, you’ll like how easily it takes to the brush and allows you coat any surface effortlessly without smudging. Besides, this remarkable all-in-one product ensures a high finish, durable performance both indoors and outdoors. And if that’s enough to convince you, it’s affordable price tag surely will. 

What Could’ve Been Better? 

We hardly have any complaints regarding our 10th entry as we found it works exceedingly well. However, if we had to point out one flaw, then it would be it’s limited coverage. We would’ve preferred if the paint covered more surface in a single coat as there are other options at the same price point doing a much better job.  

11. Rust-Oleum Painters Touch

Up next is yet another excellent product from Rust-Oleum that can add a dash of gloss to any lackluster furniture. So if you’re looking for a reliable, high coverage paint that can lift the look of your decorative accent pieces, give this item a shot for amazing results.