Painting furniture makes for a truly delightful project. Like the fountain of youth, it transforms something old into something new.
It's so easy, even beginner DIYers can do it. And giving a piece of furniture a second life is a very eco-friendly move. I hope these beautifully painted pieces inspire you to think twice before kicking Aunt Gretta's dresser to the curb.
Who doesn't enjoy having something new from time to time? If you're DIY inclined, try the quick and easy how-to found in Hot Tip: Modernize Traditional Furniture with Semigloss Paint. If DIY is not your scene, you can still be eco-friendly by supporting artisans who refurbish pre-owned pieces like the ones shown here.
Shown above from left to right:
1. Vintage Petite French Provincial Dresser, $199.00 from Mint Home
2. Vintage Desk In Yummy Yam, $250.00 from Mint Home
3. Vintage Lilac 9-Drawer Dresser with Antique Victorian Hardware - Refurbished, $449.00 from Mi Vida Vintage LA
4. Electric Orangey-Red Scalloped Table, $150.00 from Salvaged Furniture
5. French Country Painted Yellow Garden Porch Bench, $225.00 from Curiosity NC
MORE PAINTED FURNITURE ON APARTMENT THERAPY:
• Hot Tip: Modernize Traditional Furniture with Semigloss Paint
• Mini Trend Alert: Color Dipped Furniture
(Images: As credited above.)
Apartment Therapy's Sofa Shopping Guide
Nikki’s Sweet and Cheery Print Studio
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Sprout Side Table
5 Things Paris Taught Me About Travel
Recipe: Ham, Cheddar & Chive Egg Bakes
Unless going for a full gloss lacquer look, I like topping the paint with a dark or medium stain and wiping it off. Makes the work look a lot more professional and gives dimension, IMO. You'll get a look more like photo 2.
I really wish I could email specific articles on Apartment Therapy because my husband is a luddite and thus not on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. I'd really like him to read this article. Oh well, off to cut and paste.
I just purchased an old secretary at a thrift store that is already painted. Can I just put primer over the old paint or do I need to sand it off? And if I need to sand it off - how exactly do you accomplish that (in an apartment that includes a 2-year old!)?
I love the paint look. So nice. I'm getting reading to paint some old pieces of furniture and I will keep these colors in mind.
@Joannaes--you actually should remove the old paint with a paint stripper (I've used citri-strip in the garage, or if you have a balcony that would work too) and strip the paint off that way. You literally apply it, let it sit for a few hours, and then scrape the paint off. It takes time but is def worth it. Then I would sand until you reach the wood, then prime again and repaint. That way you get a great finish and don't have a built up layer of old paint. Hope that helps!
I love these references and the tip about the dark stain, Robotropolis!
I've painted a few pieces, but am happiest with how my bright green campaign nightstands turned out!
http://thenestinggame.com/2011/05/31/campaign-nightstands-done/
I know AT posters can be kind of down on painting instead of stripping furniture and letting the wood show, but I love that dark teal in the first image.
Ooooooh, I L-O-V-E a good painted piece, especially that teal in the first pic.
Oh, can anybody help poor lil me...I live in a tiny one room apt. in NYC, no backyard, no balcony. I just acquired a secretary desk from a neighbor who was tossing it and I would LOVE to paint it a shiny funky color. DIY is out due to space so does anyone know a company in NYC that does this kind of work? Price is obviously an object here. Thanks!! BTW, @TheNestingGame, those nightstands are to die for! Excellent job!
I'm in love with that first color.
@steph.a.s - Thank you, that's what I suspected... no balcony or garage. I guess it will be open windows and fans and I'll hope that there's only one coat of paint and not years worth!
It's amazing how much paint can change the entire look of a piece and the space that it is in. I just painted furniture in my bedroom recently and the entire room looks changed. They were two different pieces, but with the same color paint and the same knobs attached to both of them, they now look like they came from the same matching set. Do you happen to have a pinterest or twitter page at all ? I see that you have tweet and pin it buttons, but I don't seem to see if you actually have your own pages.
Teal is beautiful! Any recommendations on a particular brand to use on furniture? Oh and anyone knows the paint on the first piece?