The 6 Best Paint Types for Furniture

A fresh coat of paint can give your furniture new life and a new look, but every project will require a different kind of paint depending on the item and its material. Whether you want to paint a chair, table, nightstand, or specialty piece, you'll just need a few basic supplies and an understanding of the best type of paint.

There are oil, latex, and acrylic paint options for furniture, along with specialty paints, including chalky and milk. Depending on the type of paint, you can paint with a brush and/or roller or even use spray paint. Each of these paints has a unique look and some are better suited for one type of project versus another.

Here are the pros and cons of the best paint for furniture.

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Latex Paint

Latex paint for furniture is a popular option because it’s easily accessible. You can pick up a pint or gallon of latex paint at your local hardware store and choose from a variety of brands. There are also low or no-VOC (volatile organic compound) formulas, which are highly recommended for indoor painting projects.

Tips

For best results with latex paint, prep the surface with sanding and a primer—and know that you might have touch-ups to do in the future.

Latex paint is also available in multiple finishes, so it's important to select the right one for your project. You can choose from flat (matte), satin, semigloss, or gloss finishes for your project.

• Flat: Without any resins in the formula, this type of latex paint won’t reflect much light and will have a matte—almost velvety—appearance. However, it won’t be a very durable finish that can stand up to a lot of bumping, touching, and washing. So save this finish for a project that isn’t going to be under heavy use daily. For a more durable matte paint, consider using chalky paint.
• Satin: A paint with a satin finish reflects a minimal amount of light. (Eggshell finish is closely related.) If you like the look of matte paint but need a paint for furniture that is more durable, satin paint might be the best choice for you. If you opt for a washable formula, you’ll find it easier to keep clean.
• Semigloss: This might be the best paint finish for furniture, as a semigloss paint reflects light well and stands up to washing and the demands of use. The greater concentration of resins in a semigloss formula make this paint more durable for furniture you actually plan to put to work. Many people like the shiny finish, too.
• Gloss: A glossy paint finish will give your pieces the most drama and durability—but it demands the most prep. High-gloss paints reflect a lot of light, and their increased concentration of resins makes them able to withstand a lot of use and cleaning. But beware: A surface with this much sheen will amplify imperfections. So if you opt for this type of paint for furniture, you’ll need to make sure it’s prepped and that any imperfections have been remedied.

Popular Brands

Latex paint is made by all the big house hold paint names that you likely know. Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, Behr, Valspar, and Farrow & Ball are just a few of the major brand names.

Cost

The average cost of a gallon of latex paint varies based on finish, brand, and quality, but you can expect to pay between $15 and $50 on average.

Best for: Pieces of furniture that won’t see a lot of action and when affordability is a top factor

Chalky Paint

Reclaiming vintage furniture or giving newer pieces old-world charm has led to a rise in popularity for chalky paint, which gives items a sanded or distressed look. This water-based paint typically has latex as its base but delivers a thicker, buildable texture.

Tips

Unlike other more conventional paint for furniture, there can be a bit of a learning curve when first using chalky paint. It dries fast, which is a plus, but this also means brush strokes can be seen if you revisit an area for a touch-up once the paint has started to dry. Prepare to practice some, or be flexible in the overall look of the finished product.

Popular Brands

Chalky paint is available from specialty retailers, though it’s becoming more widely available. The original is Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, though you can also find it from other brands including Rust-oleum, Joanna Gaines' line with KILZ, and Valspar.

Cost

Chalk paint will typically run between $23 and $40 per quart.

Best for: Refinishing antique pieces or achieving a rich, matte look on furniture you use every day

Milk Paint

With milk paint, you'll get a slightly thinner texture than chalky paint. This nontoxic paint is made from milk protein with an activator, typically lime or borax. Color pigments are added to change the tint of the paint

Tips

Milk paint can be used on a wide variety of surfaces, but the finish can vary and sometimes is inconsistent in terms of saturation. To ensure more consistent results (and less chipping, as this is a water-based paint), use a bonder with milk paint. This is also important on smooth surfaces, such as glass or plastic. You can age milk paint with light sanding—or leave it intact for a smooth, matte look.

Milk paint is often sold in powder form. Add water to mix up the amount of paint you need, and store the rest for later use or touch-ups. It’s typically less expensive than chalky paint but yields similar results. A top coat of wax or oil might be necessary to preserve the finish.

Popular Brands

Popular brands of milk paint include Miss Mustard Seed's, Real Milk Paint Co., Rust-oleum, and Old Fashioned Milk Paint.

Cost

There's a wide range depending on the type of milk paint you buy. It can range from $20 to $200 a gallon.

Best for: Furniture you want to appear antiqued, weathered, or distressed

Acrylic Paint

Acrylic paint is a versatile, water-based type of paint for furniture that is closely related to latex paint. Color particles are suspended in an acrylic polymer and offer rich pigment with a smooth finish.

Tips

Acrylic paint goes on evenly and is self-leveling, making it easy to work with. However, a primer is a good idea if you want the paint to adhere better to the surface. Drying times are short for acrylic paint, so you can apply several coats in a relatively short period of time. But you will need to give it plenty of time to fully cure once the project is complete. Clean-up is also easy with just soap and water, as it’s a water-based paint.

It should be noted that acrylic paint does have more elasticity to resist chipping or cracking than some other types of water-based paint. But it is still best suited for pieces with light to moderate use.

Popular Brands

Some of the most popular brands of acrylic paint include Amy Howard, Rust-oleum, General Finishes Milk Paint, and Beyond All in One.

Cost

Expect to pay between $36 and $50 for a quart of acrylic paint.

Best for: Small furniture or accent pieces that need a quick, affordable coat of paint

Oil Paint

Oil-based paint is one of the most durable paints to use on furniture. However, this durability comes at a cost. Oil-based paints are usually expensive, take a long time to dry, and have high levels of VOCs that require ventilation. It is banned in some areas due to its components.

Tips

Despite its drawbacks, painting furniture with oil-based paint adheres well to must surfaces and offers a resilient finish that won’t chip or scratch easily. You’ll need to have a natural bristle brush and mineral spirits or turpentine on hand as paint thinner and for clean-up. It saturates any porous surface and is self-leveling for easy application. Drying time between coats is long—up to 24 hours—but it does cure more quickly than water-based paints.

Oil-based paint can also be applied successfully over either water- or oil-based paint.

Popular Brands

Behr and Valspar both make oil-based paint for use on furniture.

Cost

You will typically pay between $30 and $60 for a gallon of oil-based paint.

Best for: Any type of furniture that is heavily used and needs a durable finish

Alkyd Paint

Alkyd paint is a water-based paint that dries to an oil finish, making it a popular choice for an easy-to-apply furniture paint that doesn't show brushstrokes and has a durable finish that doesn't require a top coat. You can also get it in multiple sheens, including matte and semi-gloss.

Tips

To make sure you've prepped your piece for easy application, sand it with 220 grit sandpaper first. Typically, you shouldn't have to prime the piece if it's been properly sanded. Additionally, no additional topcoat is necessary since the finish is durable

Popular Brands

Behr, Benjamin Moore, Dutch Boy, and Valspar all make alkyd paints.

Cost

Alkyd paint is more expensive than other types of paint, but it is easy to use and durable. You'll pay between $45 and $85 for a gallon of alkyd paint.