How to Decorate Laminate Furniture

Remove all the hardware, such as handles and drawer pulls, from the laminate furniture. Clean them and set them aside. Alternatively, you can buy new hardware to give your redecorated laminate furniture a totally new look.

Spread plastic drop cloths or old newspapers in a well-ventilated area for your work space. Wear old clothes and protective gear such as gloves and safety glasses while you work.

Fill screw holes and other indentations in the laminate finish with a filler that is designed to accept water-based paint. Let the filler dry. Sand the filled area to make it even with the laminate surface.

Sand the entire piece of furniture to create a rough surface for the paint to adhere to. Remove the dust with a tack cloth. Clean the furniture with a degreasing cleaner to remove any dirt or grime from the surface. Let it dry.

Brush or spray on a primer coat designed for laminate finishes. Follow the label directions on the primer to apply it to the furniture. Cover the surface evenly and completely. Avoid drips and runs. Let the primer dry completely.

Brush or spray on a coat of paint especially designed for laminate finishes. Consult the label directions of your paint for the best method. Let the paint dry completely.

Sand the painted surface lightly with 220-grit sandpaper. Wipe off the dust with tack cloth.

Apply a second, even coat of laminate paint and allow it to dry. Now you have a good base paint job on your laminate furniture. Stop here or embellish this base coat further.

Add more decorations such as stenciled or freehand-painted designs, if desired. Use stickers or glue on other decorations according to your wishes. Let the designs dry, then reattach the hardware or affix the new hardware.