Painting furniture can be a rewarding and relatively low-lift DIY project. It’s a great way to personalize a piece in your home, whether you came across a second-hand dresser or you’re in the market to upgrade a much-loved (and used) coffee table. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best paint for furniture, so you can confidently get to work on your newest at-home project without any worries.
When it comes to this kind of DIY, you’ll want to make sure you do it properly — the only thing worse than a bad color is a good color that constantly chips off! This means investing in quality supplies (and researching the process before you crack open that can of paint!). Here’s what you should know about the best paint for furniture.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Overall Paint for Furniture: Backdrop Semi-Gloss Cabinet and Furniture Paint Enamel – from $59 at Backdrop
- Best Paint for Wood Furniture: BEHR PREMIUM Semi-Gloss Enamel Interior/Exterior Cabinet, Door, and Trim Paint – $52.98 at Home Depot
- Best Chalk Paint for Furniture: Annie Sloan Chalk Paint – $45 at Amazon
- Best Black Paint for Furniture: Rust-Oleum Milk Paint Finish, Eclipse – $22.35 at Amazon
- Best Paint for Kitchen Cabinets: Valspar Tintable Cabinet and Furniture Paint Enamel – $62.98 at Lowe’s
Reviews of The Best Paint for Furniture
1. Best Overall Paint for Furniture: Backdrop Semi-Gloss Cabinet and Furniture Paint Enamel
I’ve been a fan of Backdrop for years because it’s a climate-neutral certified company that has ultra low-odor and self-priming pigments. This pick in particular boasts a semi-gloss finish at around 30% sheen. It’s up for grabs in a myriad of colors and is super durable, easy to clean, and great for painting everything from kitchen cabinets to an antique dresser from the thrift store.
The Specs:
- Finish: Semi-gloss (30% sheen)
- Amount: Half-gallon or gallon
- Highlights: Low odor, mildew-resistant, washable
What I Like:
- Available in a ton of colors
- Green wise- and climate neutral-certified
- Easy to apply
- Half-gallon size can cover up to 200 square feet
- 2-in-1 formulation includes a primer
What I Don’t Like:
- Pretty expensive for half-gallon option
Buy the Backdrop Semi-Gloss Cabinet and Furniture Paint Enamel:
2. Best Paint for Wood Furniture: BEHR PREMIUM Semi-Gloss Enamel Interior/Exterior Cabinet, Door, and Trim Paint
A rich green always feels warm and cozy, and this one brings the outdoors in as a straight-from-the-forest color. This evergreen shade can complement tons of different furniture pieces, whether it be a vintage desk with a bank of drawers to a pair of side tables.
This paint dries into a hard-yet-smooth finish that’s mildew- and dirt-resistant (this means you can also use it on outdoor furniture!). You’ll just want to make sure that you use a primer before applying this hue to anything, so the process may be a bit longer.
The Specs:
- Finish: Semi-gloss
- Amount: One gallon or one quart
- Highlights: Fast-drying, washable, and can be used outdoors
What I Like:
- One coat dries in an hour
- Sandable finish
- Dirt-, grime-, and household chemical-resistant
- Covers up to 400 square feet per gallon
- Can be cleaned up with soap and water
What I Don’t Like:
- You’ll need to use a primer beforehand
Buy the BEHR PREMIUM Semi-Gloss Enamel Interior/Exterior Cabinet, Door, and Trim Paint:
3. Best Chalk Paint for Furniture: Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
As far as chalk paint goes, this is the best of the best. Annie Sloan is the founder of chalk paint, so I trust the brand’s Old White shade to make furniture look lived-in but not too shabby. This white has no pink or yellow undertones, and you can mix it with water to make a whitewash. It has a matte finish and can be used on a ton of surfaces, including wood, glass, metal, and plastic.
While you rarely will have to sand or prime before painting, you will need to seal things when you’re finished to keep your piece in tip-top shape.
The Specs:
- Finish: Matte
- Amount: 1.06 quart, 4.06 fluid ounces, or 16.9 fluid ounces
- Highlights: Fast-drying and forgiving
What I Like:
- Can be used on wood, glass, metal, plastic, and old painted surfaces
- Drying time is 30 minutes
What I Don’t Like:
Buy the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint:
4. Best Black Paint for Furniture: Rust-Oleum Milk Paint Finish, Eclipse
Black furniture can be a neutral look that matches different decor styles, and this option makes the process pretty easy. Rust-Oleum’s Eclipse hue is a water-based milk paint for indoor use, so it’s easy to apply and flexible for first-timers. It’s a thin paint that bonds with surfaces easily and you get to decide how light or dark the finish should be.
Nevertheless, this shade doesn’t come across as too stark, even if you do multiple coats. Think of it as a “friendly” black that’ll blend in, even if the rest of your room’s design has a lighter palette.
The Specs:
- Finish: Matte
- Amount: One quart, 16 fluid ounces
- Highlights: Water-based, low odor
What I Like:
- Dries to the touch within 30 minutes
- Can be applied on metal, glass, and wood surfaces
- Slightly brushed effect provides some texture
- Can be cleaned with soap and water
What I Don’t Like:
- You have to be consistent with your application, otherwise it’s easy to create streaks
Buy the Rust-Oleum Milk Paint Finish, Eclipse:
5. Best Paint for Kitchen Cabinets: Valspar Tintable Cabinet and Furniture Paint Enamel
Hardy and flexible, this option from Valspar will brighten things up and keep them protected from spills, scuff marks, and anything else a furniture piece has to live up to. It’s classic and flexible, making it possible to go in a number of design directions and colorways. Elsie has recommended this paint for kitchen cabinets in the past since the coverage is fantastic, even in nooks and corners.
As an added bonus, you can completely personalize this paint based on what you’re planning to use it for: Choose from tons of colors, four different finishes, and four size options, including a sample before you spend any cash.
The Specs:
- Finish: Available in semi-gloss, satin, eggshell, or matte
- Amount: One quart, one gallon, or 5 gallons
- Highlights: Oil-based enamel, customizable formula
What I Like:
- Durable formula
- Resists scuff marks and fading
- Can customize color, finish, and size
What I Don’t Like:
- Takes two hours to dry
- Can’t be used on concrete, drywall, fiberglass, metal, or plaster
Buy the Valspar Tintable Cabinet and Furniture Paint Enamel:
Other Paint Options to Consider
Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines Satin Cabinet and Furniture Paint Enamel
Available in a few cool-toned grays and purples, this satin-finish paint has decent ratings but is pretty expensive for just one gallon. It can be used on wood and metal surfaces but it’s not stain-resistant, and you’ll have to use a primer beforehand, too. Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines Satin Cabinet and Furniture Paint Enamel is available at Lowe’s for $67.98.
BEHR PREMIUM PLUS Satin Enamel Low Odor Interior Paint & Primer
Despite being a budget-friendly option, this sunny hue may be a bit too trendy for everyone’s taste. However, you can pick from five different finishes and four sizes, so fans of the bright yellow color may end up loving it. BEHR PREMIUM PLUS Satin Enamel Low Odor Interior Paint & Primer is available at Home Depot for $35.98.
Why You Can Trust Us
Hi! I’m Kelly Dawson, a freelance writer and longtime contributor to Architectural Digest and Dwell. My work has also appeared in Real Simple, Domino, Better Homes and Gardens, Good Housekeeping, and many others. I worked with A Beautiful Mess founders and DIY experts Elsie Larsen and Emma Chapman to find the best paints for furniture, using our knowledge to narrow things down.
When we were deciding on our list of the best paints for furniture, we took a few things into account. Budget was a huge factor, along with finish, versatility, ease of cleaning, and drying time.
What to Know About Paint for Furniture
Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Paint for Furniture
As straightforward as painting furniture can be, you’ll want to know a thing or two before you get started. Here are some things to consider when picking the best paint for furniture.
Finish
Choosing the finish of your furniture will impact the final look and the general process.
- A matte finish will have little sheen, which is ideal for pieces that are more decorative than practical
- An eggshell finish provides a slight sheen that’ll conceal knicks and scratches
- A satin finish provides even more of a shimmer, but likely won’t stand up as well to scrubbing like a semi-gloss can
- A high-gloss finish almost looks reflective
Some finishes may take more coats than others.
Furniture Material
The material of what you’re painting will also determine the best option, whether that’s wood, metal, plastic, or perhaps even a combination. You can ask a pro at the hardware store to lead you in the right direction, or double check that the label’s instructions include insights into where it can be used.
Pro-tip: Not every paint for furniture is durable enough to use on outdoor pieces, so make sure the formula is specifically dirt-, grime-, and mildew-resistant so the coverage will last the longest!
What Type of Paint is Best to Paint Furniture?
Any of the paints we listed above are good options for painting furniture, but our overall favorite is the Backdrop Semi-Gloss Cabinet and Furniture Paint Enamel.
Should Furniture Be Painted with Flat or Gloss?
The finish you choose for your furniture depends on how much use it’ll likely get once it’s dry and in position. A flat, matte finish is more apt to show each and every run-in it has — like a water ring or a knick from a heavy object — while a gloss will hide those everyday hiccups better. A gloss is also easier to clean.
Is It Best to Paint Furniture with a Brush or Roller?
It depends! Sometimes, painting with a roller just doesn’t make sense for the spindles or other intricacies you’re working with, while other times it’s perfect for long and smooth surfaces. The same goes for brushes, which are often best in corners and small areas. What matters most is painting in the same direction (especially on wood grain) to ensure a uniform finish.
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Painting furniture is just one of many different projects you can undertake to personalize your home. If you’re craving more inspiration, be sure to check out:
Prices were accurate at the time of publication.
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