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Tips and Tricks for How to Paint Furniture Like a Pro

Learn how to give your furniture new life with these easy, pro tips. Whether you’re a newbie or an experienced painter, we’ve got the tools and techniques to help you create beautiful vintage finds in no time!

Get professional-looking results without hiring an expert! Learn how to restore your vintage finds with these simple tips and tricks from the experts at Peacock Ridge Farm.

Looking to give new life to an old table or dresser? Learn how the professionals get perfect results every time with these tips and tricks for painting furniture like a pro!

Hey Friends!

Welcome! I am so glad that you are here. I always enjoy our time together.

Do you love going to Estate Sales, Garage sales, and Antique stores searching for the perfect treasure? I sure do.

When I am looking for a piece of furniture, I look for the style and whether it is well built-the finish doesn’t matter because I know that I can easily change it.

Today, I am excited to share my Tips and Tricks for How to Paint Furniture Like a Pro. Come on, I’ll show you.

Are you new to furniture painting? Do you want to learn how? In your own home? Then you are going to love this post.

This cabinet is is great shape to start with, so it will be an easy makeover. I am going to show you how to easily paint wood furniture using Dixie Belle Mineral Chalk Paint-it is the best paint-perfect for furniture or any craft project that you are doing. They have a great color selection and the best part is no sanding and no priming. They also have a whole line of Chalk Mineral Paints, All in One Silk Paints and all of the Belles and Whistles and finishes to get your project finished beautifully. Get your Dixie Belle Paint here.

lovelt distressed paint finish on a vintage end table with a french country flair, vintage lamp with black shade, vintage metal urn with topiary, vintage obelisk, vintage shutter
Painted Furniture-How to easily paint furniture like a pro, even if you are a beginner with Dixie Belle paint

The Finished Project-no priming, no sanding

Doesn’t this look amazing? I thoroughly enjoy the hunt of finding the furniture. I thoroughly love decorating my house beautifully without spending a ton of money. I love a good old DIY project., especially if it is restoring wood furniture. I absolutely love refurbishing furniture!

Did you know that you support my small business by purchasing through my links? The price you pay is the same but I receive a small commission on the purchases you make when you shop through one of my links. I appreciate you helping Peacock Ridge Farm grow.

a vintage furniture nightstand with light gray paint fininsh and gold hardware. painting supplies sit a top of the cabinet.
The “Before”

Perfect for the Beginner and the Pro

I love French Country Vintage decor and this end table/night stand is absolutely perfect-except for the finish. But that’s the fun, easy and therapeutic part. I’m using Dixie Belle paint for this project.

“Dixie Belle Paint Company provides a line of chalk mineral paint that is high quality, easy to use, and most importantly priced so every DIYer can create and discover the joy of painting.” Their vision is for everyone to be able to enjoy the fun and therapy painting can bring without breaking the bank. Dixie Belle Paint is a family-owned and operated company right here in the good ol’ USA! Built on American values and true Southern Hospitality.”

Dixie Belle Painting will be the easiest and most enjoyable painting you will ever do!

Dixie Belle Paint is very thick and a little goes a long way. The longer the lid stays off, the thicker it will get. If you’d like it thinner, no worries, just add a little water and stir. Add too much water? No worries, just leave lid off and it will thicken up. Whatever consistency you desire, Dixie Belle Paint will work for you!

Distress a little too much for your taste? That’s okay! Just paint right over that area and start again!

Most pieces will take one to two coats for full coverage. Sometimes, after the first coat dries it will look blotchy. Don’t freak out! After the second coat, it will be beautiful!

Sometimes you will see brushstrokes, don’t worry, as the paint dries, they will disappear. Dixie Belle Paint is the best paint for self leveling.”

Dry time: 15 minutes – Cure time: 21-30 days

vintage furniture with light gray finish and gold handles
removing drawer and hardware on vintage furniture

Step by Step Beginners Guide to Painting Furniture

Step 1: As with any good restoration, prep is key. Remove drawers and hardware.

cleaning vintage furniture before starting a paint fininsh

Step 2: Give it a good scrub to remove any oils, dirt or grime. Use White Lightning from Dixie Belle if your project needs a good cleaning.

TIP: If the furniture is in good shape, I clean my furniture with a good glass cleaner. Not only does it clean up any dust, oils or grime-but it will remove a bit of the sheen from the previous finish-so the new paint will stick beautifully.

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See the “How To” Video

Please see the video on “Tips and Tricks for How to Paint Furniture Like a Pro” below.

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Painting vintage furniture with dixie belle paint
The fun stuff!

Step 3: Tape off any areas that you don’t want paint on. In my case, I don’t want any paint on the top. It already has a nice finish, so I tape it off using blue painters tape and I turn it upside down to protect the top. I am using the color Sand Bar for my base coat. It is a gorgeous color. I am going to put on two coats.

Dixie Belle paint is smooth and creamy and so easy to use. It is my go-to for quick and easy painting. The first time that I used it, I was pleasantly surprised at how smoothly it glides on. I also use a mini paint brush that fits nicely in my hand. It is a great quality brush and it helps with eliminating brush stokes.

TIP: To avoid brush strokes, use a good paint brush and lightly dampen it before you put paint on it. Another tip is to lightly spray the piece of furniture with a mist of water, right after you put on a coat of paint and brush over it.

whitewash solution with dixie belle paint, paint brush

The White Wash Treatment

Step 4: After the paint is dry, I mix one part paint and two parts water and stir well. I am using the color French Linen. Brush the whitewash into all of the nooks and crannies and all over the piece of furniture. Immediately after you brush on the whitewash, use a soft cloth and remove as much of the white wash as you want. This will give you some beautiful texture and a distressed or aged look. Let the paint dry. I also rubbed the whitewash over the hardware to tone down the gold and give it a lovely softer finish.

lovely distressed paint finish on vintage furniture

Step 5: If your piece of furniture is going to take a beating, be sure to use Gator Hide to give it a good strong finish.

Step 6: Reattach the hardware and put your drawers back in.

Ta Da! You are done!

The Piece de Resistance

Distresed paint finish on vintage cabinet and hardware. Dixie Belle Paint
I absolutely love this look. This is easily finished in an afternoon.
lovelt distressed paint finish on a vintage end table with a french country flair, vintage lamp with black shade, vintage metal urn with topiary, vintage obelisk, vintage shutter
It looks amazing in my family room.

I hope that this has inspired you to Paint Furniture Like a Pro.

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See this gorgeous home tour here.

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Thank you so much for stopping by today. I always enjoy our time together. Please follow me on Facebook.com/PeacockRidgeFarm, on Instagram @peacockridge, on Pinterest and YouTube.

Tammy

Tuesday 8th of February 2022

Beautiful job on this piece, Renae. It's amazing how a piece of furniture can be transformed with just some paint.

Pam

Thursday 13th of January 2022

Thank you for these great tips! I have several pieces that I want to paint, but I"ve been a bit nervous. You have encouraged me. Thanks for sharing at Thursday Favorite Things. I'll be featuring it at the party today. Congrats!

Renae Frey

Thursday 13th of January 2022

Awe, Thanks for the feature. You can do it! I totally believe in you. Hugs to you.

Pam

Wednesday 12th of January 2022

Thank you for these great tips! I have several pieces that I want to paint, but I"ve been a bit nervous. You have encouraged me. Thanks for sharing at Thursday Favorite Things!

Cecilia

Saturday 8th of January 2022

Beautiful job, Renae! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!

Donna Allen

Wednesday 5th of January 2022

Great table makeover! I love how you toned down the bright gold handles, it looks so much better! Dona