How to Paint Shabby Furniture

The key to achieving a cozy shabby chic style in your home is using a soft, pale color palette and pairing antique furnishings with romantic floral prints. Luckily, perfection is not required—much of the appeal of shabby chic comes from the gently aged feel of the décor. Keep your eyes peeled at flea markets for well-worn pieces, even if they need some refurbishing. Over one weekend, you can paint shabby furniture that looks like it came from the trendiest antique boutique.

Screwdriver
Waterless furniture cleaner
Soft scrub brush or toothbrush
Soft cleaning cloths
Sandpaper (medium to extra fine grit)
Tack cloth
Primer
Steel wool (extra fine)
Interior paint (soft white, ivory or the palest pink)
Paintbrushes
Paste wax
Replacement hardware (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  
  A toothbrush will help you clean nooks and crannies.
  
  After removing the drawer pulls, knobs and hinges, clean the piece of furniture thoroughly with a waterless cleaner. Use a soft scrub brush or toothbrush to get into corners and details.
- 2
  
  Remove rough spots with sandpaper but leave some character.
  
  Sand the entire piece to smooth any imperfections or rough spots. Clean the piece again with waterless cleaner and steel wool. When the piece is completely dry, wipe it over with a tack cloth to remove fine particles of dust.
- 3
  
  Priming will ensure a durable finish.
  
  Apply primer. When the primer is dry, rub the entire surface with steel wool and wipe once more with a tack cloth.
- 4
  
  After the painting is finished, the fun part begins.
  
  Paint the furniture. When the paint is completely dry, sand the entire piece lightly with medium-grit sandpaper.
- 5
  Use sandpaper to thin out and remove paint in selective areas. Choose spots where paint would be likely to wear, such as corners and the edges of drawers. Wipe the piece over with a tack cloth.
- 6
  
  Reuse the original hardware or replace it.
  
  Coat the piece with paste wax to protect it. Reinstall the hardware and replace any doors or drawers.

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