How to Paint a Piece of Furniture an Antique White

Painting furniture allows you to quickly change the look of a room without making a big financial investment. Antique white and other neutrals allow you to paint some of the furniture in your room and leave other pieces untouched, if you like. The key to a smooth, professional-looking finish when painting furniture is in the details. Take your time every step of the way and you will be left with a smooth, even finish.

Paint
Sandpaper
Tack cloth or rag
Primer
Paintbrush or roller

Instructions

- 1
  Make your color choice. Antique white is a creamy white. Choose several different shades you like and take them home. This allows you to see how they look under the lighting in your home before making the final selection.
- 2
  Remove any hardware on the furniture. Label it carefully so you know where each piece goes after you are done painting.
- 3
  Sand the furniture lightly before you begin. Roughing up the surface with 220-grit sandpaper helps the paint adhere to the surface.
- 4
  Wipe the furniture down with a commercially-purchased tack cloth or a damp, lint-free rag.
- 5
  Apply a thin coat of primer to the entire piece of furniture. Primer creates a smooth, even surface and prevents imperfections in the wood from showing through the paint. Allow the primer to dry thoroughly before painting.
- 6
  Brush or roll on two thin coats of paint, allowing the first coat to dry before applying the second. Using a roller minimizes the risk of developing brush marks on the furniture.
- 7
  Replace any hardware you removed after the furniture is completely dry.

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