Posted by Frenchic Admin
What should you use to paint furniture? Easy-to-use Frenchic furniture paint makes painting easy!
Do you have an old dresser at home whose color no longer appeals to you? Could your kitchen cabinets use a refresh, or is a little table from the flea market waiting for a new lease on life? Painting furniture is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to refresh your home’s interior without a major renovation.
But what should you use to paint furniture for a beautiful, smooth and durable result?
A good furniture paint adheres to different surfaces, applies easily and forms a durable finish. When you choose a high-quality multi-surface paint, you can refresh wooden furniture, MDF furniture and many laminated surfaces with the same product.
Frenchic paints are so versatile because of this very idea: painting furniture doesn’t have to be difficult, and every material no longer needs its own specialist paint.
What is the best paint for painting furniture?
The best furniture paint depends on the material being painted, how the furniture will be used and the desired result.
For example, a dining table, dresser, cabinet door and decorative small piece of furniture are all used differently. That’s why, when choosing paint, it’s worth considering adhesion, durability, cleanability and finish.
With Frenchic’s versatile furniture paints, you can refresh, for example:
- Dressers, sideboards and bedside tables
- Kitchen cabinets and cabinet doors
- Tables, chairs and shelves
- MDF and laminate furniture
- Interior doors and wooden details
- Children’s room furniture
- Old flea market finds and upcycled furniture
Hybrid paint and Multi Surface properties: what do they mean?
Not all furniture is made from the same material. A single piece of furniture may include solid wood, MDF, previously painted parts and laminated surfaces.
This is where modern, versatile furniture paints really shine.
Hybrid paint refers to paint whose formula combines different binder technologies. This can deliver, for example, strong adhesion, easy application and a durable finish.
Multi Surface, or multi-surface paint is suitable for a range of different materials. Instead of needing a different paint for wood, MDF and laminate, you can use the same multi-surface paint for various painting projects around your home.
Frenchic's versatile furniture paints offer several benefits:
- The same paint range is suitable for many different surfaces.
- A separate primer is generally not needed.
- Water-based paints are pleasant to use.
- The paints go on easily and create a beautiful finish.
- A wide range of colors gives you freedom to decorate.
- A properly painted and cured surface withstands normal everyday use.
However, multi-surface paint doesn't mean you can skip the prep work. Thorough cleaning and sanding the surface where needed ensure good adhesion.
Frenchic Al Fresco: versatile furniture paint for indoors and outdoors
The Al Fresco paint range is an excellent choice when you're looking for an easy-to-use, durable furniture paint suitable for many surfaces.
Al Fresco is a water-based, self-priming paint that forms a protective surface and dries to a beautiful matte finish.
Thanks to its multi-surface properties, you can paint, for example:
- Wooden furniture and furnishings
- MDF and laminate surfaces
- Kitchen cabinets and cabinet doors
- Interior doors and trim
- Metal furniture parts
- Garden furniture and exterior doors
- Many other properly prepared surfaces
Al Fresco's great advantage is its versatility. With the same paint, you can revamp a bedroom dresser, kitchen cabinets, and outdoor furniture.
A separate primer or topcoat is not needed for most typical uses. The paint creates a protective surface on its own when used according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Frenchic Trim Paint: a beautiful satin finish for furniture and exceptional durability
Would you like a little more shine and an especially polished finish for your furniture?
Trim Paint is a versatile water-based paint that creates a beautiful satin finish. It is specially designed for furniture, interior doors, trim, and other surfaces in the home where a neat finish and good wear resistance are valued.
Trim Paint is ideal for:
- For kitchen cabinets
- For cabinet doors and drawer units
- For dressers and sideboards
- For interior doors and door frames
- For skirting boards and other wooden details
Trim Paint's self-leveling formula helps achieve a beautiful, even finish.
Choose Al Fresco for a matte finish and Trim Paint if you prefer a subtle satin sheen.
Both ranges offer beautiful shades to suit different interior styles.
Can you paint furniture without primer?
Yes, you can! Frenchic Al Fresco and Trim Paint are self-priming paints, so a separate primer is generally not needed on a properly prepared surface suitable for the paint range.
This reduces the number of steps and makes painting much easier.
Exceptions may include highly color-bleeding wood species, knotty wood surfaces, and particularly challenging materials, which may require an isolating primer.
Remember, though, that even the best paint will not adhere properly to a greasy or dirty surface. Thorough cleaning is one of the most important steps in successfully painting furniture.
How to paint old furniture: An easy guide for beginners
You can paint furniture even without prior experience. With quality furniture paint and the right tools, you can achieve a beautiful result on your very first try.
1. Clean the furniture thoroughly
Remove grease, dirt, and dust with a cleaner such as Frenchic Sugar Soap. Rinse as instructed and let the surface dry thoroughly.
2. Roughen the surface
Light sanding improves paint adhesion, especially on smooth, glossy, and varnished surfaces. Remove all sanding dust carefully.
3. Apply at least two coats
Stir the paint well and apply it with a quality brush or a small furniture roller. Two coats of paint are often enough for a beautiful result. More coats may be needed when painting a very dark surface a light color.
4. Let the paint finish cure undisturbed
Follow the drying and recoating times for the paint range. Frenchic paints typically take about three weeks to fully cure.
Treat painted furniture gently during the first few weeks so the paint finish has time to reach its full durability.
The color of a piece of furniture changes the feel of the whole room
The best thing about painting furniture is the chance to try something completely new.
An old pine dresser can become a modern eye-catcher, and a dark cabinet can get a completely new look with light-colored paint.
Frenchic’s extensive colour range offers options for both calm, nature-inspired interiors and bolder use of colour.
Greens and nature-inspired shades
Constance Moss, Wise Old Sage, and Victory Lane bring a natural feel to your home. Green furniture looks especially beautiful alongside wood, linen, and warm neutral shades.
Deep blue shades
Hornblower and After Midnight make furniture a striking interior feature. Dark blue works especially well on pieces such as old chests of drawers, sideboards, and cabinet doors.
Soft neutral shades
Cool Beans, Stone in Love, and Cream Dream are beautiful options for a timeless interior. Light shades freshen up old furniture and suit many different homes.
Bold accent colours
Hot as Mustard, Dusky Blush, and Boho Berry add personality to your home. One colourful piece of furniture can transform the feel of an entire room!
Pro Tip: test the colour before painting
Colours look different in daylight, artificial light, and beside different materials. That’s why it’s worth exploring Frenchic’s colour samples before making your final choice.
You can also use Colour Cube colour cards and a colour wheel to help plan your colours and find new, beautiful colour combinations that work well together.
Frequently asked questions about painting furniture
Can you paint laminate furniture?
Yes. Many laminate furniture pieces can be painted with Frenchic Al Fresco paint once the surface has been cleaned and prepared according to the instructions.
What paint is best for kitchen cabinets?
Frenchic paints Al Fresco and Trim Paint are great options for painting kitchen cabinets. Choose Al Fresco for a matte finish or Trim Paint for a subtle satin finish.
Can you paint varnished wooden furniture?
Yes. If the old varnish is intact and firmly adhered to the surface, you can usually paint the furniture after cleaning and thoroughly sanding it. Peeling varnish must be removed before painting.
Do you need to apply varnish over furniture paint?
Generally, no. Frenchic Al Fresco and Trim Paint create a protective surface of their own, so a separate topcoat is not needed for most everyday furniture projects.
Can you paint furniture with a roller?
Yes. A small, high-quality furniture roller can give an even finish on cabinet doors and other large, flat surfaces, for example. A brush is especially suitable for details, decorative features, and awkward corners.
How much furniture paint is needed?
How much paint you need depends on the size of the piece, how absorbent the material is, the base color, and the number of coats. As a rule, allow enough paint for two coats and check the coverage information for your chosen product. A small 250 ml tin of renchic paint will cover two or three standard wooden chairs. A larger 750 ml tin will cover a pine bed frame and a couple of bedside tables.
What is the best furniture paint for beginners?
Easy-to-use, self-priming, multi-surface paint is a good choice for beginners. Frenchic Al Fresco is suitable for many types of furniture and materials. Its matte finish and versatility make it an excellent choice for a first painting project. Its quick drying time and smooth finish help even beginners achieve beautiful results. Being odorless is a plus when painting indoors.
Is it worth painting old furniture or buying new?
If the piece is structurally sound, painting it can be a much more affordable option than buying new.
Old furniture often features quality materials, beautiful details, and designs you can no longer find in ordinary furniture stores.
A fresh coat of paint can turn a decades-old piece of furniture into a household favorite again.
And best of all, you get exactly the color you want. No more compromises based on whatever happens to be available at the furniture store!
Painting furniture is easier than you think
Frenchic paints make refreshing your home smooth and inspiring. Multi-surface, self-priming furniture paints that create a protective finish reduce the number of steps and make painting enjoyable even for beginners.
Whether you're planning to paint a small bedside table, refresh your kitchen cabinets, or transform an entire set of furniture, all you need to succeed is the right paint, good tools, and a little inspiration.
Explore the furniture paints in the Frenchic online store, find your favorite shade, and give an old piece of furniture a new lease on life.
You don't have to buy everything new. Sometimes all you need is a tin of beautiful paint!
