09 Oct How to Paint Wooden Furniture

Here at Spa Cabinets, we stock a range of both unpainted and painted furniture. Whether you have the perfect colour in mind to match your brand, or you want to show off your company’s creative spirit, painting your furniture can be a great way to bring that personal touch to any reception or salon. In this guide, we’ll give you the information you need to paint your own bespoke wooden furniture from Spa Cabinets.

1.      Prepare your workspace

An artist needs a canvas, and your furniture is yours. However, a canvas needs to be in a well-lit area that’s conducive for the painting experience, so it’s important to prepare your workspace. To prepare your workspace for furniture painting, place your furniture on a large cloth to protect the surrounding area and ensure the area is well-ventilated. Ideally,  you should also wear a mask and gloves when dealing with paint.

2.      Prepare your furniture

Now that your workspace is ready, it’s time to prepare your “canvas”. Give your furniture piece a quick dust off to remove any lingering dust or dirt, and unscrew any parts you are able to. Knobs and draws should be removed to allow for an even coat, free from drips and accidental coating. The fewer pieces attached to each other, the easier the furniture will be to paint.

3.      Apply Primer

Primer, also known as undercoat, is used to prepare your furniture for painting. Primer creates better adhesion between the paint and surface and provides additional durability to both the paint and furniture. Apply primer using a paint roller on any wide surfaces, such as the backs of draws. This will streamline the process and provide an even coat. On corners or smaller surfaces (especially those with a curve) use a paintbrush for precision.

Once the primer has dried, sand it down with a fine-grit paper to allow for a greater bond between paint and primer. Repeat the process until your furniture is completely covered.

4.      Paint your furniture

Apply several thin coats to your furniture, with as even as a spread as possible. You may wish to use a foam roller for an even coat. Once coated with the roller, run a brush across the furniture in long, even strokes. Ensure any areas the roller missed are coated also. Most experts recommend you wait between six hours and a full day for the paint to dry before applying the next coat. Sand between each coat in a similar fashion to the primer.

5.      Finishing Touches

To improve the durability of the paint, you may wish to apply a coating of clear varnish or lacquer finish. You can also paint on finer details before applying your clear finish.  Once finished, allow all aspects of the furniture to dry before refitting knobs and draws. It’s recommended to not use the furniture for the next few days to avoid easy scrapes and scratches.

We hope this guide helps you paint perfect furniture and provide a personalised touch to your salon/company. For the best UK, bespoke & unpainted wooden salon furniture at the best prices, browse our extensive range today.