How to Paint Swirls on Furniture

Remove any metal hardware from the furniture with a screwdriver. Set the hardware aside for later re-installation. Remove any drawers and shelves so that you can paint them separately.

Sand the furniture surface lightly and evenly with 220-grit sandpaper to scuff it. Wipe down the surface thoroughly with a tack cloth to remove excess sawdust.

Spread a drop cloth on the floor and place the furniture on top of it.

Load a 2-inch flat paintbrush with acrylic primer and apply it in an even layer over the outer surfaces of the furniture. Allow the primer to dry completely before continuing.

Load the paintbrush with the acrylic paint you want to use as a base color. Apply the base color over the furniture in an even layer. Allow the base color to dry completely before proceeding.

Dip a 1/4-inch flat paintbrush into the acrylic paint color you want to use for a swirling effect. Position the brush at the center point where you want a swirl on the furniture and touch the brush lightly onto the surface. Drag the brush in a tight circular shape, moving around and expanding the swirl out to create a design about 1.5 inches in diameter. Stop moving the brush and lift it straight off the furniture surface.

Reload the 1/4-inch flat paintbrush with the same color and repeat the technique to make another swirl. Make the spacing of the swirls random to create a pleasing effect on the furniture.

Wash out the paintbrush with water and use a different paint color to create different-colored swirls on the furniture.

Continue adding swirls in a variety of different colors until you paint as many as desired on the furniture surface. Allow the paint to dry completely.

Load the 2-inch flat paintbrush with acrylic sealer and apply the sealer in an even layer over the entire painted surface of the furniture. Allow the furniture to dry for at least 24 hours.

Place the metal hardware back onto the furniture and screw it in with the screwdriver. Replace any shelves and drawers, if applicable.