Painting furniture takes practice and planning ahead if you want to have beautiful, lasting results. In my 8+ years of refinishing furniture (and making lots of mistakes along the way), I’ve learned a lot about what to do (and not do) to end up with pieces that I’m really proud of and that clients love.
Unfortunately, I see many people making the same blunders I used to make, and I’d like to help save you time and frustration. And I’m keeping it real today – friends are supposed to be honest, right? Here are 6 common mistakes beginners make when painting furniture:
1. Painting any cheap furniture you can get your hands on and then expecting amazing results.
Practice all you want on curbside castaways and yard sale finds – sometimes you can get lucky and score well-made pieces. However, often inexpensive furniture is actually just particle board – or laminate with water damage or other issues – and no matter how much effort you put into it, the quality will still be lacking. (If you put lipstick on a pig, it’s still a pig.)
Just be realistic with the type of material you’re working with, and what the potential outcome could be. Work with good quality wood furniture whenever you can for the best possible results.
2. Skipping the prep work.
Making repairs, sanding, and priming can be tempting to skip. But it can be really obvious later when you can’t get the smooth finish you want, or your paint chips off too easily, or you have bleed-through.
Saving some time by skipping prep work in the beginning can end up costing you way more time later. Read this post: How to Properly Prep Furniture for Painting to learn all the necessary steps you should take.
3. Not having a vision/plan from the start (+ letting fear/indecisiveness keep you from ever starting).
Friend, if you jump in the car and start driving without any idea where you’re going, where will you end up? Who knows! Have a destination (finished outcome) in mind, then think about how to get there. What colors will you need? Will you add extra details like stenciling, stripes, blending, gilding, or an image transfer? One sure-fire way to overcome your fear of messing up is to have a set plan and follow it.
And if you’re guilty of overthinking and procrastinating, read this –> Why Done is Better Than Perfect
4. Not using the right products and tools.
Do you think the makeup artists at the Paris fashion shows use dollar store foundation and mascara? No way, Jose. When you’re just starting out painting furniture, you might not have much money to spend – and that’s understandable. You can still make smart choices about the best products for your budget. Do your homework before just buying whatever’s the least expensive option.
If you’ve been around here for a hot minute you know how I sing the praises of my favorite brands and tools. These are products I’ve used for years, and if I discover something new or change my mind, I’ll let you guys know. Discover all my favorite DIY products for makeovers here.
Of course, there are lots of other good options out there that I haven’t even tried yet. Research what will give the best value/results for your hard-earned money. (P.S. I use Chalk Paint most often – learn all about it here: How to Chalk Paint Furniture)
5. Practicing difficult techniques for the first time on one-of-a-kind antiques.
Okay so this isn’t so much a rule as a pet peeve… if you’re going to attempt a difficult or intricate technique for the first time, please don’t experiment on your family heirloom that’s in excellent condition. Buy a $30 thrift store dresser… or rescue one from the curb!
Exercise caution before deciding to paint great-great-grandma Betty’s buffet. And definitely think twice before painting burled wood.
6. Being impatient and skipping important steps – and then expecting top dollar when you list it for sale.
This is another pet peeve of mine. When you skip steps (not only prep work), it usually shows. I’ve seen painted furniture listed on Facebook Marketplace for hundreds of dollars with careless mistakes – like (accidental) drip marks on the sides of drawers and doors. Take the extra time to make sure it’s all finished properly – maybe get a friend to give you their unbiased, constructive opinion. Remember, your reputation is priceless!
Friend, I hope you haven’t made any of these mistakes before. But if you have, remember that learning is a lifelong process and I’m confident you’ll be wiser with more experience.
For my seasoned painter friends – is there anything missing from this list that you’d advise beginner furniture painters to avoid? Leave a comment below so others can benefit. Also, feel free to Pin this post or share it with a friend.
Happy painting! – Jen
Shawn M Hoffman says
Thanks Jen! I’m gonna need this in the future. Hope all is good over your way!
Ruth says
I have one of my “first” pieces that, well, was a disaster to call it mildly. It sits in my happy place as a reminder to take my time, have patience with myself, and sometimes walk away and come back with a clear set of eyes and mind.
I have your book on my table to grab when I need a refresher. Hopeful that you have a grand day, and to say thanks. Thanks for sharing the great, with the not so great but lessons learned moments.
Sue Pagels says
About the only thing I don’t agree with is to have a clear vision of what your piece will look like. Sometimes I start that way, but sometimes you get in the car and let the wind/weather/car speak to you on what direction to take when you actually start driving. I do the same with furniture – that’s part of the fun. One piece I had a vision, didn’t like it, painted it again, then again and distressed to show all the colors and it turned out amazing and sold immediately. I’ll never forget that piece. My clear vision didn’t pan out, and the end result had much more personality!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Great advice, Ruth! Thank you 🙂
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
That’s true, Sue! You don’t always need a plan to start – but if a new painter keeps procrastinating because they can’t decide which technique to try, then having a plan can definitely guide them through the process and help with their confidence. 🙂
Connie says
I see first timers begin with a huge project ie. an entire bedroom suite or a huge hutch or even their kitchen cabinets 😳. My advice is to start with a small piece to learn how the paint works and to get the hang of painting furniture. My husband and I have owned a painting business for 37 years and I’m a good painter, but painting furniture is a whole different animal…
Kathy W F says
Thank you so much Jen. This is great advice. I’m an “old…..I mean wise dog learning new tricks”. I’ve learned to let your finishes dry completely. Patience truly is a virtual. If not, the finish may never really dry correctly. Just keep on painting Jen.
gwen says
ah, procrastination is my biggest problem!
Cora Chemidlin says
I think leaving the insides of drawers yucky is something I can’t tolerate . Clean them, use hemp oil, paint and a stencil, or fabric to spruce them up. Also, always mask off the parts (like the underside or back) you aren’t painting, so you don’t see messy paint brushstrokes where you’re not supposed to.
Barbara says
This is so true. Small is a great way to start and a great way to gain confidence.
Barbara says
I whole-heartedly agree. Sometimes I have a firm plan and other times it’s a vague one as I wait for the piece to “speak” to me. It usually does and I am able to continue on with planning out how it will look.
Robin B says
Thanks for this – I’m currently stuck in a little fear after my planned project ended up more difficult than I thought. Ended up to be a total gut and I have to make a new top for the dry sink, but I will get it done!! No fear here!! 🙂
JoAnne Orr says
Jen, I’m just a beginner and I wanted to work on my drawers to my dresser first. I have just clean them with a damp cloth and there are barely wet. I’m not sure what to do with them just as of yet. I know that I can use hemp oil, paint and stencil, or to do fabric on them, like what Cora mention from the above comment. Do you have any pictures on how to do drawers with hemp oil, paint and stencil or fabric. I’m just learning on to do things, and will learn from my mistakes. Thank you for all your help.
Wendy Burchik says
Hi Jen,
I know I’m a little tardy to the party so I hope it’s not too late to comment.
With over thirty years of experience behind me, I am not new to this business but I am always learning and enjoy keeping up with current trends and products through blogs such as this.
I would like to add one piece of advice that you didn’t mention:
Just because you can, Doesn’t mean you should!
I have seen countless projects, treatments, or paint jobs on pieces that are so inappropriate.
For instance, a 20th-century Mahogany Campaign style Chest of Drawers painted in multiple colors and heavily distressed. So, to say it again, just because you know how to do it and can, doesn’t mean you should!
Make your finish fit your piece! Just sayin!
Thanks for another great post!
Wendy