How to Paint Furniture: A Beginner's Guide

Learn how to paint furniture with this step by step tutorial! Consider this a beginner’s guide, or Furniture Painting 101 crash course, for how to get the smoothest, most professional-looking finish possible. I wrote a blog tutorial several years ago and to this day it is my most popular post and the one that I get the most questions and comments about, so I thought it might be helpful to share it in video form. Disclaimer: There are a lot of different ways to go about painting furniture, as well as different types of products you can use, but this is the technique that works best for me and I’ve linked my favorite products below.
Blog Post/Written Tutorial: www.erinspain.com/how-to-pain...
Sign up for my e-newsletter here!: madmimi.com/signups/170772/join
Below are links to the products I use:
(Includes affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)
Murphy Oil Soap: amzn.to/2G9nG0c
Paintbrush: amzn.to/38la7Hi
Mini Paint Roller: amzn.to/2uhcvjq
Foam Roller: amzn.to/3amHn2B
Primer: amzn.to/2RydlR2
Tack Cloth: amzn.to/2uhcX16
Sanding Block: amzn.to/37cwpLk
Minwax Polycrylic (Satin Finish): amzn.to/36c7fuK
Minwax Polycrylic (Semi-gloss Finish): amzn.to/38n9OM0
Minwax Paste Finishing Wax (Natural): amzn.to/378GJnj
Cheesecloth: amzn.to/364nt9i
Cotton Cloth for Buffing: amzn.to/37bedBJ
Satin Wipe-On Poly: amzn.to/38khmPJ
Wood Filler: amzn.to/2G8kn9R
Examples of furniture I’ve painted:
www.erinspain.com/powder-blue...
www.erinspain.com/ikea-tarva-...
www.erinspain.com/lime-green-...
www.erinspain.com/ikea-tarva-...
www.erinspain.com/thrift-stor...
www.erinspain.com/ikea-billy-...
www.erinspain.com/bookshelf-m...
www.erinspain.com/thrifted-dr...
www.erinspain.com/kids-art-ga...
Contact: [e-mail]
#howto #diy #diyprojects

[@gogumarshmallow]

this has been the clearest video of how to paint furinture. preparing for my first project i appreciate it! thank yoUu!

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Happy to help! Good luck!

[@joegallagher1842]

I’ve watched a dozen videos before tackling an old table I want to paint. Yours was the most detailed and informative. By a long shot. Keep up the good work.

[@ShebaBeauty]

THANK YOU FOR SAYING I DO NOT NEED TO SAND OFF ALL OF THE OLD FINISHING. I’m exhausteddddd😂

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Haha! You're welcome!

[@amandaray5097]

This is why I'm here! This is the first video that makes a clear statement!

[@gaivenvargas6323]

@@amandaray5097 a0@

[@vanessagates6528]

I have a wood piece that has previously been painted. Is it OK to leave the old paint on?

[@jennifern.2740]

Wished i watched this video first, my arm is about to fall off 😭

[@MatthewEncina]

Found this very helpful. Thanks Erin.

[@martinavasil]

Thanks for a video that's attainable by those of us without a garage full of tools! Happy to see that I can use a simple sanding sponge.

[@BuildDadBuild]

Great advice Erin! Thanks for another great video!

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Build Dad Build Thank you!

[@Soulbloom1]

very clear and brief. Thanks for not over explaining! Short how-to videos are the best!

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Glad you found it helpful! Thanks for watching.

[@melaniehernandez5695]

I've watched at least a dozen videos and yours has been the most helpful! Thank you so much!! 💕

[@ErinSpainDIY]

I’m so glad you found it helpful!

[@madeleineclaire9257]

This is such a great tutorial, thank you so much! I’m totally using this as a guide to help me paint my nightstand

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thank you! I’m so glad you found it helpful!

[@caerulemusic]

I love watching magicians demonstrate their craft. Even though I have no reason to be here, I enjoyed the whole vid. Thanks!

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thank you!

[@Sirlordnoob]

You're a life saver! And so happy to see someone use affordable products! I feel confident enough to paint my daughters desk now :)

[@ErinSpainDIY]

I’m so glad you found this helpful! Good luck with your project!

[@TimberandChain]

Thanks so much for this! So easy to watch and the quick tips were perfect. Painting a credenza and now I know what to get and how to do it. Really appreciate it!

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Awesome! So glad you found it helpful! Good luck with your project.

[@user-lb1fn1gb4x]

Great tutorial with good tips and clear instructions. Thank you!

[@Pinktoolgirl]

Great tips! I love painting furniture and I've tried to help clients see the potential and possibilities a can of paint can do for a piece. I think we have the same DIY zeal so it will be a delight to follow your journey!

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thank you!

[@yetunde_]

You are Amazing!! Thank you so much for this detailed tutorial.

[@ErinSpainDIY]

I’m so glad you found if helpful!

[@lesliebrewington4139]

Great instructions! Love the out takes!

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thank you!

[@sb7574]

Thanks for such a clear and concise tutorial. So helpful 👌 😊

[@Asho595]

Thank you, Erin for this simple and understandable video. I'll start painting furniture for the first time after I watched you. Keep going.

[@ErinSpainDIY]

I’m glad you found it helpful!

[@tashmahal]

We love your outtakes we think they complete your videos and brings them to life. They give you a feel of your true character, they also make us feel like they bring out your charm. Thank you so much for your genuine efforts and allowing us to share your great ideas from your perspective. keep inspiring us and this coming from a person that suffers from depression. we also thank the ones behind the scenes which we don't usually get to see.

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thank you!

[@clairebischoff6839]

I am glad I watched because I was about to just start painting with my new color paint. You saved my project! :)

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Glad I could help!

[@jethroaltarejos3503]

This has been enlightening. Thank you for this Erin! More power to you!

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thank you! Glad you found it helpful!

[@MrJcporter1]

Awesome. Straight forward and very clear to follow. Love the outtakes.

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thanks!

[@anouk4862]

Awesome! Made my shopping list and off to diy shop! Thanks for teaching and sharing your work🙌🏻❤️Love from Australia

[@beckyp7400]

Super helpful- by birthday present to myself today~ everything I need to paint my 1st dresser. Thank you💙

[@vla179]

Thank you for your video. I'm about to paint my entire master bedroom furniture and I need some lessons before. Your video was very helpful!

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thank you! I’m so glad you found it helpful!

[@jeanneseltzer5264]

Thank you! I'm going to try your method. Haven't painted furniture for many years, but willing to try!

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Glad you found it helpful! Good luck!

[@lauriecrose8451]

Great tutorial! Thank you for sharing. I am going to paint my breakfast table and wasn't sure how to do it properly. Your video will be very helpful. 😊

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Laurie Crose Thank you! Glad you found it helpful!

[@yvonnereed1488]

I've watched several videos on how to paint furniture. I must say your video is the simplest of all EMPHASIZING that you don't need to completely sand off the finish just slightly sand so the paint adheres. Yasss I love that, because it would be too much for me to move the furniture outdoors to use a sander.. Now, after watching this i will begin my project with CONFIDENCE LOL... THANKS A BUNCH

[@ErinSpainDIY]

I'm so glad you found it helpful!

[@slipdog9115]

Love your instructions easy to follow most helpful thank Erin.

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thank you!

[@Buds4u]

Love the video. I learn something new every time....! 🤗

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thank you! I'm so happy to hear that.

[@markwriter2698]

Than you for getting down to business and sticking to the subject. I was given a broken particleboard dresser that I pained but added a wood grain appearance by streaking the paint with thicker and thinner brush strokes. Very satisfied with the results and most visitors think it’s wood.

[@marthacamp3329]

Outtakes are hilarious!! LOL That was my favorite part of the video! LOL

[@ErinSpainDIY]

LOL thank you!

[@rachelbeeee]

This was so helpful! Thank you!

[@oliviafox9296]

they look so professional I love it!

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thanks!

[@letscreateartonline7269]

Whoa! Loved watching this video. Love refinishing Furniture too!

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thank you!

[@vickys7127]

such a thorough tutorial. thank you for providing so many options and detailed instructions!

[@Field-Meerkat]

This is such a helpful video, thank you 😊 🙏

[@lovelyshirl]

Very helpful information. Thanks!

[@lilan.708]

So helpful! Thanks!

[@rosiebrough8918]

Awesome, thanks! And absolutely loved the bloopers at end!!

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thank you!

[@jeffhardman73jh]

Well done Erin!

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Jeff Hardman Thank you!

[@lillianyuan1469]

Thank you. This video is So helpful.

[@MsLkane]

This is a video. I watched it before painting a used desk. It came out great for my first time painting! It was actually therapeutic. I'd insert a pic of it if YT allowed it. Thank you!

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Awesome! You can email me a pic if you want! [e-mail] or tag me on social media if you post it @ErinSpainBlog. I would love to see!

[@Olive_and_friends]

The outtakes were fun. Thank you.

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thank you!

[@Joelswinger34]

Thank you, this is very helpful!

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thanks for watching!

[@vmmac7953]

Excellent tutorial

[@SomewhereInIndiana1816]

Great video! So helpful 👍👏🤩

[@cosmicmuse2900]

Thank you so much! This is so well done and well explained. Idk why those 90 people even disliked it. This is a life changer for a beginner like me.

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thank you!

[@krystalb4084]

Painting my first piece today. So glad I found you! I think my favorite part of the videos are the "out takes" lol... it reminds me of why I don't do videos, mine would only be out takes lol. Thanks so much

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Haha glad you enjoyed!

[@Striker_Xpert]

You made it so clear .. THANK YOU SO MUCHHHH💜

[@ErinSpainDIY]

I'm so glad you found it helpful!

[@alexanderbetancur8529]

This is an awesome tutorial!

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thank you!

[@sweetpotato1680]

Beautiful tutorial! On a side note in the beginning I heard you say, "Hi I'm here in Spain" and I was like "okkaay?" Then I realized that was your name 🤣 thought you'd find that funny!

[@ErinSpainDIY]

LOL! Hilarious

[@forbes4]

Love the outtakes!

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thank you!

[@claudetteb5019]

Thank you. This tutorial is very helpful.

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@brianrudolph3594]

Thank you so very much!!! You’re awesome!!!

[@nm9412]

Thank you for your tutorial! Very helpful!

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@helenwilsoneade4086]

Great tutorial. Really enjoyed it. Thank you.

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thank you!

[@elwrencho8189]

Thank you I’m a rookie at this painting furniture. Very good tutorial thanks again…..👍

[@GodsGenuineGrace]

You do such a great job 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽❗️

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thank you!

[@santinodiaz7922]

Using this video to help me sand and pint a crib for my first born baby girl appreciate all tips

[@lydialangfordjoiner765]

This was very helpful. Thank you.

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Glad you found it helpful! Thanks for watching.

[@milanik960]

Love this video! I really want to re-paint my small dining table from black to white, but I did not know where to start... I have one suggestion: I would love to see under the video a list of the products you used - like type of paint, wax, primer, top coat, etc. Even if it is important what type of brushes/rollers is good to use with which kind of products. I am a beginner and all this will help tremendously! Thank you so much for the simple video!

[@ErinSpainDIY]

The products are listed in the description box and also in the blog post linked. Glad you found the video helpful!

[@DanielleBaskerville]

Lol the life of filming. The ending was so cute ❤️👏🏽

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Lol thank you!

[@tammyluvspink7]

This was very helpful. I'm going to be painting a dresser and bed for my first time.

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Glad you found it helpful! Good luck with your project!

[@sunsetkizz1]

Hi, new subscriber here. I’m half way through my first project thanks to your clear explanation. Thank you 😊

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Awesome! Glad you found it helpful!

[@lydiakinnaman1106]

Thank you. Very nice.

[@ILruffian]

Looking for pro paint stuff as I move from brushing to spraying and the algorithm displayed this. Watched it and a few more of your videos. Great work, truly well done. You just earned a sub!

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thank you!

[@kelseycoca]

thank you for this! this is v helpful

[@dogmah73]

You're a hoot! I could see us being buds. Thanks for the video and especially the outtakes :)

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thank you!

[@charlescornforth6456]

Thank you very helpful

[@tomsexton4880]

Thank you for the Lesson

[@brandeegamble1826]

Oh thanks so much for this video I have a piece of furniture that’s all wood but unfortunately it was not taken care of very well and I found it at Goodwill. I’ve been trying to figure out how I want to paint this in this video was very helpful.

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@Gaming96672]

Amazing

[@coastchickheatherjordan4891]

I have put my top coat polyurethane brushes sealed in a air tight bag for weeks. Great video.

[@PrimoLandscaping]

Good informational video with solid production values. I agree about Zinsser primer. You deserve way more subs.

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Primo Landscaping Thank you! My channel is new so hopefully the subs will come! :)

[@PrimoLandscaping]

I'm sure they will. I follow you on Instagram and your design ideas help inspire some of the designs I come up with for my business so thank you.

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Primo Landscaping That is awesome! I’m happy to hear that. Thank you!

[@MissCagoita]

really helpful!!!!! I was trying to sand as much as the finish as I could and was exhausted, so just gave up and started to paint, glad that was ok :D

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Oh yeah no need to sand too much! Just roughing it up is good enough.

[@denisemcdougal6445]

Thank you so much.

[@christopher1197]

Great video thanks :)

[@victoriasoares3950]

This is the best video I’ve found

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thank you! Glad you found it helpful

[@ReneeReviews9]

Finally, the video I’ve been looking for! I had an idea of what to do, but I needed to see it! And all these other videos, they didn’t send in between and I wanted to see a video where someone sands in between so thank you!!! How long does it typically take for the paint to dry so you can send it for your next coat ?

[@shesgotmmph]

Came for the Beginner's tutorial; subscribed for the "out takes"! too cute!

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed :)

[@delsol__]

thabk you!! i was gonna repaint the top of my desk since the old paint is chipping a little and i wanted to do something cute

[@cheffieways]

Great tutorial...😀

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thank you!

[@BruceAUlrich]

Good tips, Erin! I'm with you...even if a paint brand says it covers in a single coat, my experience is that it always takes two to get good coverage.

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Bruce A. Ulrich Thanks, Bruce!

[@ILruffian]

No question. One coat coverage is a myth.

[@freedythedeedy5299]

Your the best now my furniture looks way better!

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Awesome! I’m so glad you found my video helpful!

[@karenhill3356]

I'm headed back to the garage now lol

[@rossoxii]

Thank you for the great video. And its good to know the purpose of sanding, waxing etc like you mention. I was getting stressed because I was unable to sand properly on some tiny crevices. Let's see how it goes :)

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Glad you found it helpful! Don’t let it stress you out, it’ll be fine! :)

[@patriciavoldberg5849]

Holy cow...great video! By the way I am a wood purist, but wood doesn't sell much any more so I appreciate all the help to turn over a new leaf.

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thank you! Glad you liked the video.

[@melissacastillo4004]

Lol I absolutely love the bloopers!!!

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Lol thank you! Glad you enjoyed!

[@armino1427]

thanks a lot 🌷

[@cameronf3343]

I honestly thought you were just testing out KZbin and decided to cease it. Good to see, great video 👍🏼

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Cameron Frye Thanks! Nope, I’m here! Just took an extended holiday hiatus. :)

[@CarAudioInc]

if you can't reach a spot, scotch brite or steel wool works wonderfully

[@melissahall7009]

Thanks so much

[@angelagannon785]

Thank you! I’ve got an old dresser that needs some TLC. Plus I’ve painted room a beautiful barrier reef color (blue), and my dresser is hand made from almost 40yrs ago & its dark… want my room to lighter colored furniture. ☺️

[@MrWalbudri]

Great video .. a big like 👍 👌

[@teehan3130]

Thank you.

[@alongfellow4147]

I use disposable shower caps in my paint tin, from the dollar store and just throw the caps away when you're done. It's so much easier and the clean up is the easiest I've ever done

[@timc_etc]

had to like this just for the outtakes

[@karenhill3356]

Thank you, all the other videos assume I know how to paint.

[@leonosbo]

Works.

[@nchimachibwe6297]

Just subscribed, great content

[@ErinSpainDIY]

Thank you!