Sand the furniture lightly if it has previously been painted. This provides a porous surface so the paint will go on smoothly.
Wipe down the furniture with a damp rag or tack cloth to remove dust. Allow to dry thoroughly before continuing.
Apply a coat of primer to the furniture. Primer creates a smooth, even surface for the paint to adhere to. Allow the primer to dry before painting.
Apply two thin, even coats of paint to create a base. You will paint over this with a contrasting or complementary top coat. Allow the base coat to dry thoroughly before moving on.
Add the top coat. Allow it to dry thoroughly before sanding.
Use 220-grit sandpaper to roughen some of the corners and edges of your furniture. The goal is to expose the base coat of paint in these areas, creating a primitive look.