Apartment Redecorating: 5 Tips for Painting Furniture

Painting furniture can bring a junky piece of furniture to life, and it can give a room a fresh look. Buying used furniture at a garage sale or thrift store is an affordable way to own furniture, and painting is one way to make it look as good as new. The painting process is straightforward, but you should be aware of these tips to help you be effective and successful:

Tip #1 – Sand Furniture First

Sanding the furniture first will make it easier for you to paint it. You’ll avoid painting over rough spots and it prevents chipping in the process. You’ll also avoid the paint coming off in the future. You can buy sponge sanders as well as regular sand paper at any hardware store. It’s good to buy Number 00 and Number 1 when sanding furniture. Use a cloth to wipe off any dust created by sanding.

Tip #2 – Use Filler on Wood Furniture

Before you work on painting furniture made of wood materials, you’ll need to apply a filler to plug up the pores in the wood. Don’t leave the filler on the wood. After you apply it and let it set, wipe it off before you paint it. The finish of the paint will look better and last longer if you don’t skip this tip. It’s also a way to fix any irregularities in the wood.

Tip #3 – Primer with Sealer

Stained furniture is often free or cheap, and it’s why you may find some on the sidewalk for the garbage collectors to pick up. A primer with a sealer can do wonders for furniture that’s stained. The sealer prevents the stain from interacting with the paint, which can cause blotches and blemishes. Priming before painting furniture allows the paint to be applied evenly as well as helps the paint to last longer.

Tip # 4 – Apply Enamel

It’s best to apply one to two coats of enamel as finishing coats. The problem with enamel is that it tends to set fast. Plan uninterrupted time to apply the enamel and work as quickly as you can. You’ll also want to allow time for the first coat of enamel to set before applying the next, as much as two days.

Tip # 5 – Protect Yourself

Protecting yourself while painting furniture is more important than the paint job. You can buy dust or paint masks that are very inexpensive at grocery stores, or where you end up buying paint. Long sleeves clothing is best to prevent the paint from contacting your skin as much as possible.

Take advantage of any balcony, patio or backyard space that you have access to at your apartment. Try to paint outdoors if possible to reduce the amount of fumes in your apartment. You can also rig up a tarp to cover the furniture while it’s drying, if you’re concerned about rain.

Enjoy painting furniture, but remember to be safe in the process. If the furniture you want to paint belongs to the landlord, you need to obtain his permission first.