What is the Best Paint for Furniture?

With all the great furniture paints available these days, it can be really confusing trying to figure out which one is actually the best paint for furniture.

Every paint claims it is the best, but which one is the easiest to work with? Which one gives the most durable finish? And which is the most affordable?

After painting dozens of pieces of furniture using many different furniture paints, I’m sharing what I’ve learned so I can help you choose the best furniture paint for your next project. I’ve combined all of my personal painting experience with research to create this simple guide that will help you quickly find your own favorite paint.

I’m sharing my pick for the best all-around furniture paint, along with what you need to know about different types of furniture paint, what to look for in a great paint, my reviews of a dozen top furniture paints, and a breakdown of which paints are the most affordable.

12 different types of furniture paint including chalk paints and other furniture paints

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What is the Best Paint for Furniture?

There are so many amazing furniture paints out there and they all have different strengths and weaknesses. Some are perfect for layered, vintage looks, some are amazing for smooth flawless finishes, and some are a great value for those on a budget. So which one is the best?

I truly believe there is not just one best paint for furniture.  

But I also know that you may not care about all of those details and you just need to know what paint to buy so you can get started painting. So even though I love a lot of different paints for a lot of different reasons, I’m going to narrow the choices down to one top pick.

My number one pick for painting furniture is General Finishes Milk Paint.

Here’s why:

  • It works well when you want a modern solid color paint finish and also distresses easily when you want a more vintage finish.
  • It is easy to get a smooth, brushstroke-free finish whether you apply it with a brush, paint sprayer, or roller.
  • There is a great color range and the colors also mix well.
  • You don’t have to use a separate primer or sealer with this paint. (There are certain times when you should still use primer and sealer no matter what type of paint you are using, but you don’t have to every time. I’ll explain more about this later.)

So if you are looking for a quick and easy answer, General Finishes Milk Paint is my choice for the best furniture paint.

But having said that, if you’re planning to do a lot of furniture painting, it is definitely worth knowing more about the other amazing paints on the market.

Types of Furniture Paint

Even though there are dozens of different brands of furniture paint, there are only a few different types of paint. 

Chalk paints

I’m betting you’ve probably heard of chalk paint. It’s become extremely popular over the past several years for painting furniture, home decor, crafts, and more. Specific paints may be called chalk paint, chalky finish, chalk-style paint or something similar but they all work basically the same way. 

7 different types of chalk paint - amy howard at home, annie sloan, rustoleum chalked, valspar chalky finish, americana decor chalky finish, diy paint, and dixie belle

Chalk paint is fantastic for painting furniture because it adheres well to lots of different surfaces without sanding or additional prep. Because it adheres so well, you don’t always have to use primer when using chalk paint.

(There are certain surface/circumstances where primer is always a good idea. You can find out more about when and why to use primer here.)

Chalk paint has a very velvety, matte finish and distresses beautifully for vintage finishes that look naturally-aged.

Chalk paint is softer than many other paints and should always be sealed with a separate sealer for durability. Wax is traditionally used with chalk paint, but in my opinion, there are other more durable sealers that are a much better choice. You can read more about the best sealers for painted furniture here.

Self-sealing Furniture Paints

There is another group of popular furniture paints that are similar to chalk paint in some ways but very different in others.

This group of paints doesn’t have a clear name like chalk paint but includes paints like General Finishes Milk Paint, Fusion Mineral Paint, Wise Owl One Hour Enamel, and Americana Decor Satin Enamels.

three self-sealing furniture paints: general finishes milk paint, fusion mineral paint, and americana decor satin enamels

These water-based acrylic paints also adhere well to previously finished furniture. Much like chalk paint, you do not always have to use primer with these paints. (Fusion Mineral Paint has a really great guide to prepping different types of furniture properly on their site. I love that they acknowledge some surfaces should always be primed, no matter what paint you use.)

They generally give a less textured finish than chalk paint and may have a matte finish similar to chalk paint or a satin finish more similar to factory-painted furniture.

The biggest difference between these paints and chalk paints is these paints are self-sealing. They dry to a much harder, more durable finish and do not always need a separate sealer.

In ideal conditions, you can use one of these paints without needing a separate primer OR sealer; you can just paint and be done.

Latex Paints

While latex paint isn’t specifically a furniture paint, it is often used to paint furniture and most major paint brands do have a paint line they recommend for painting furniture. 

Latex paint doesn’t have the same ashesion qualities as other furniture paints and a separate primer should always be used before painting furniture with latex paint. I would also recommend a separate sealer for any furniture that will get a lot of use.

Milk Paints

Milk paints have been used to paint furniture for hundreds, possibly thousands of years and there are several companies still making traditional style milk paints today. Milk paint comes as a powder that you mix with water at home to form the paint. 

old fashioned milk paint in oyster white and sea green

Milk paint is amazing for creating an authentic chippy, aged finish and it can also be used to achieve a variety of other vintage style paint finishes. 

Because milk paint is best for very specific furniture finishes, I haven’t done an in-depth review of any milk paint brands in this post. If you want to know  more about milk paint and see it in action, I have a tutorial for creating a chippy finish with milk paint right here

(I know it’s super confusing, but General Finishes Milk Paint isn’t actually milk paint. It’s an acrylic furniture paint that behaves very differently from actual milk paint and is reviewed in more detail below.)
paint outdoor furniture,

What to consider when choosing paint

So what makes a furniture paint the best anyway? There are lots of factors that matter when it comes to paint:

  • Is it easy to apply? 
  • Do you have to use primer first? What about sealer?
  • Does it cover well? How many coats of paint do you need?
  • What colors are available?
  • How does it look when you are finished?
  • Is it no-voc and all natural?
  • Is it easy to find in stores or do you have to buy online?
  • What is the cost?

I could probably add a dozen more factors to this list. But I think when you break it all down, what it comes down to is the best furniture paints make it easy to get a gorgeous finish without a lot of extra work.

Stack of 11 different furniture paints

There are dozens and dozens of great furniture paints out there and I definitely could not include them all in this post. It just wouldn’t be practical. So instead, I have included the paints that have the best reputation among furniture painters as well as those that are the most easily accessible. 

And even though price certainly isn’t everything, I am including a price comparison chart as well. Mostly because I was shocked to realize that some of the ‘bargain’ paints actually aren’t a bargain at all when you dig a little deeper.

Note: Prices are approximate and are subject to change. I have not included shipping costs when listing prices below because they vary widely. Just keep in mind that the cost of shipping when buying paint online can hugely affect your bottom line.

 

The Best Chalk Paints for Furniture

Ok, let’s start with the most popular furniture paint: chalk paint. 

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint was the original chalk paint on the scene, but since then lots of other brands have come out with their own chalk paints. In addition to boutique paint lines like Annie Sloan, almost every mainstream paint company also has their own chalk paint.

So are they all the same or do some stand out from the pack? Each chalk paint has its own strengths and weaknesses and I have tried to be as objective as possible. I have personally used each of the chalk paints below unless otherwise noted. 

can of annie sloan chalk paint and four pieces of furniture painted with ascp

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

Price: $38 per liter (33 oz). Each liter covers 150 square feet. 

Availability: Sold exclusively through a network of small independent shops around the world. Several shops sell online including The Purple Painted Lady and Vintage Now Modern or you can look for a local retailer. Available in 4 oz. samples and quarts.

Colors: 42 colors. A few favorites are Antibes Green, Provence, and Napoleonic Blue.

Using this paint: ASCP is the grand dame of chalk paint. This is the paint that started the craze. It is an amazing paint for creating depth of color and an authentic-looking vintage finish. It distresses like a dream, dries quickly, and the colors are beautiful. ASCP does go on quite thick with lots of texture, but it can be thinned with water for a smoother finish. 

Verdict: This paint gives a beautiful, velvety finish, perfect for vintage furniture.

Pieces I have painted with this paint:

cans of dixie belle chalk paint and a dresser painted with dixie belle

Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral Paint

Price: $30 per quart (32 oz). Each quart covers 150 sq ft.

Availability:  Online from Etsy and locally from many independent retailers. Available in 8 oz, 16 oz, and 32 oz jars.

Colors: 68 colors. A few favorites are Sea Glass and Stormy Seas.

Using this paint: Dixie Belle chalk paint is easy to use and goes on smoothly. Dixie Belle is a thicker paint but you can mix it with water for a smoother finish. It is also a popular paint for creating a blended paint finish using multiple colors.

Verdict: This paint is easy to work with and generally works well for many styles of furniture. And since it is available in a variety of sizes, it is easy to buy small amounts for smaller projects.

Pieces I have painted with this paint:

jar of Americana Decor chalky finish paint plus four pieces of furniture painted with chalky finish paint

Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint

Price: $8-$9 per 8 oz. Each 8 oz jar covers 60 square feet.

Availability: Online and in stores at Michaels, JoAnn and Home Depot. The DecoArt website says it is available in 2 oz, 4 oz, 8 oz, and 16 oz sizes, but I have only ever seen it in the 8 oz. jars.

Colors: 41 colors. A few favorites are Vintage and Yesteryear.

Using this paint: Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint is extremely easy to work with. It isn’t quite as thick as many other chalk paints so it goes on more smoothly. But because it is thinner, it also doesn’t give the authentic looking vintage texture other chalk paints do. This paint distresses very easily and also works well for a smooth, unblemished finish.

Verdict: A good choice for general furniture painting.

Pieces I have painted with this paint:

can of rustoleum chalked paint plus a dresser and frame painted with chalked paint

Rustoleum Chalked Paint

Price: $15-$20 per 30 oz. Each 30 oz. can co3di0r3lvers 150 sq ft.

Availability: Online and in stores at Home Depot and Ace Hardware Stores. Available in 30 oz size. 

Colors: 9 pre-mixed colors plus 25 tintable colors. The color selection in stores is usually very limited.

Using this paint: Rustoleum Chalked Paint is a thick chalk paint with a texture similar to Annie Sloan. Because it is so thick, it covers well in only one or two coats, but it also shows brushstrokes more than any other paint I have tried. This paint distresses easily.

Verdict: This is an affordable alternative that is readily available in stores. It works best for pieces where you want a textured, vintage finish.

Pieces I have painted with this paint:

jar of waverly chalk paint

Waverly Inspirations Chalk Paint

Price: $6.50 for 8 oz. Each 8 oz. jar covers 20 sq ft.

Availability: Online and in stores exclusively at Walmart. Available in 8 oz and 16 oz jars.

Colors: 28 colors. 

Using this paint: I have not used Waverly chalk paint yet, but I wanted to include it because I see this paint mentioned often in Facebook furniture painting groups and it also has high ratings on walmart.com. The biggest selling points seem to be it’s convenient availability at Walmart and the low price point. But as you will see in the price comparison chart below, the low price is a bit deceiving based on the small amount of paint you get and poor coverage. 

Verdict: This is one of the most readily available chalk paints, but isn’t the bargain paint it claims to be.

jar of folkart chalk paint

FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Paint

Price: $12-$14 for 16 oz. Each 16 oz. bottle covers 32 sq ft.

Availability:  Online and in stores at Michaels and JoAnn and online at Amazon. Available is 2 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz, and 32 oz jars.

Colors: 50+ colors. 

Using this paint: Folkart and Waverly are both made by the same paint company, Plaid. I haven’t used FolkArt chalk paint yet, but it has stellar reviews on Amazon. This paint is one of the thinner chalk paints available and reviews report that it is easy to use and gives a great finish. The easy availability at craft superstores is also a plus.

Verdict: This is another highly rated, easily accessible chalk paint. And the fact it comes in tiny bottles makes it really convenient for small projects. I just placed an order for some FolkArt chalk paint of my own, so I’ll be updating with my own review soon.

can of wise owl chalk synthesis paint

Wise Owl Chalk Synthesis Paint

Price: $37-$40 per quart. Each quart covers 160 sq ft.

Availability:  Online at Etsy and locally from many independent retailers. Available in 16 oz and 32 oz sizes.

Colors: 70+ colors. 

Using this paint: I haven’t had the opportunity to use Wise Owl chalk paint yet but I wanted to include it because it is definitely one of the more popular chalk paint brands. Wise Owl chalk paint has a reputation for being a very smooth chalk paint that is great for creating blended/artistic finishes.

Verdict: This paint is definitely on my list of paints to try based on its strong reputation.

Self-sealing Furniture Paints

As much as I love chalk paint, I love the simplicity and versatility of self-sealing furniture paints even more. These paints are very easy to work with and give beautiful results. 

can of general finishes milk paint plus several furniture pieces painted with it

General Finishes Milk Paint

Price: $30-$34 per quart. Each quart covers 100-125 sq ft.

Availability:  Online from Amazon and Etsy, Woodcraft stores, Rockler Stores, and many independent retailers. Available in pints and quarts.

Colors: 28 colors. A few favorites are patina green and lamp black.

Using this paint: As I mentioned previously, General Finishes Milk Paint is not a true milk paint; it is a mineral-based acrylic paint. This paint is extremely easy to work with; it can easily be applied with a foam roller, a brush, or a paint sprayer. You can distress this paint fairly easily, though it doesn’t give the heavy vintage texture of a chalk paint. This paint has a very slight sheen when finished. It is not completely matte but also isn’t quite as reflective as satin paint. This is a self-sealing paint, but I still use a separate sealer for pieces that get a lot of daily use like tabletops.

Verdict: General Finishes Milk Paint is my go-to for painting a flawless, non-distressed finish on furniture. It’s also an excellent choice for painting cabinets.

Pieces I have painted with this paint:

jar of fusion mineral paint plus a furniture piece painted with fusion

Fusion Mineral Paint

Price: $19-$22 per 16 oz (pint). Each pint covers 75 sq ft.

Availability:  Online at Etsy and locally from many independent retailers. Available in pints and one ounce sample pots.

Colors: 50+ colors. A few favorites are Homestead Blue and Laurentian.

Using this paint: Fusion Mineral Paint is extremely easy to work with. It goes on smoothly and gives excellent coverage. This paint also gives the beautiful matte finish of chalk paint without requiring a separate sealer.

Verdict: Fusion is a great paint for achieving a beautiful paint finish quickly. It’s also one of the more affordable paints available.

Pieces I have painted with this paint:

jar of wise owl one hour enamel paint

Wise Owl One Hour Enamel

Price: $38-$45 per quart. Each quart covers 160 sq ft.

Availability:  Online at Etsy and locally from many independent retailers. Available in 32 oz (quart) and 64 oz (gallon) sizes.

Colors: 25 colors. The color range includes primarily neutral tones and muted shades.

Using this paint: This is another paint I haven’t had a chance to try yet, but I would love to. Wise Owl One Hour Enamel is a quick-drying acrylic enamel paint that dries to a super hard finish. It can be used both indoors and outdoors.

Verdict: This paint is ideal for cabinets and front doors since it dries to an ultra hard finish. It is definitely going on my list of paints to try.

jar of americana decor satin enamels paint along with kitchen cabinets and a set of tables painted with satin enamels pure white paint

Americana Decor Satin Enamels

Price: $8-$10 per 8 oz. Each 8 oz jar covers 20 sq ft.

Availability: Online at Michaels, Home Depot, and Amazon. Available in 8 oz jars.

Colors: 21 colors. A few favorites are pure white and seaside blue.

Using this paint: Satin Enamels was specifically made for getting a smooth, durable finish on cabinets and wood furniture. This paint goes on smoothly with minimal brushstrokes. The paint is self-sealing, but I have found that a separate topcoat is a good idea for pieces that get a lot of use.

Verdict: This paint is great when you want a really smooth paint finish, but it has been increasingly difficult to find some of the colors in recent years.

Pieces I have painted with this paint:

 

What about latex paint for painting furniture?

Even though it isn’t technically a furniture paint, I just have to include latex paint as well. People were painting furniture with latex paint long before all of these specialty paints hit the scene and many people continue to swear by latex paint for furniture today. 

Just like there are many different types of chalk paint, there are also many different latex paints available from the budget-friendly Glidden, Behr, and Valspar to the pricier Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, and Farrow and Ball. I am not going to discuss every single brand of latex paint, but I do want to talk about latex paint in general.

can of latex paint along with five pieces of furniture painted with latex paint

Latex paint

Price: $20-$100 per gallon depending on the paint. Valspar Signature paint is typically my go-to all-purpose paint and is around $16 per quart. Each quart covers 100 sq ft. I have seen other furniture painters singing the praises of Sherwin Williams Pro Classic paint for furniture. I have used this paint on several pieces and it worked well, but it wasn’t a standout for me personally and is significantly more expensive.

Availability:  Latex paint is available at any home improvement or paint store including Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot, and Ace. You can even get paint delivered to your home with free shipping from Home Depot. Latex paint is available in a range of sizes including 8 oz samples, quarts, gallons, and five gallon buckets.

Colors: There are basically infinite color choices. In addition to the hundreds of colors in each paint line, most paints can also be color-matched to any color you want.

Using this paint: Painting furniture with latex paint is quite different from using other furniture paints. Unlike other paints, you must start with a good primer to help the paint adhere to the surface of the furniture. Most of the time it’s also a good idea to finish with a separate sealer, although you may be able to skip the sealer if you are painting something that won’t get a lot of abuse. You can get a long-lasting paint finish with latex paint as long as you prep well, use a good primer, and finish with a quality sealer, but this does make the furniture painting process longer than with most other furniture paints. With latex paint, you can choose between a matte, eggshell, satin, semigloss, and gloss finish depending on what kind of look you are going for. One of the downfalls of latex paint is it does not distress smoothly and isn’t the best for a vintage, weathered paint finish. (If you’re interested in learning more about painting furniture with latex paint, be sure to check out this post full of tips for painting furniture with latex paint.)

Verdict: Latex paint can give a lasting paint finish, but it requires a longer multi-step process. Latex paint is best for a smooth, non-distressed paint finish. Also, exterior latex paint is one of the best options for painting outdoor furniture.

Pieces I have painted with this paint:

 

Which furniture paints are truly the most affordable?

Okay, this is the part where I get to really let my nerdy side take free reign. As I was putting together this paint guide, I started to wonder which paint is actually the most inexpensive.

It isn’t as simple as looking at the price on each paint because they all come in different size containers.

And to complicate things even further, some paints are thicker than others and cover more square feet per ounce. You can have two paints that are the same price per ounce, but if one covers half as much as the other, you would actually have to buy twice as much to paint the exact same thing. 

So to simplify everything, I made a chart showing the price of each paint, the coverage in square feet, and the price per square foot. And after making this chart, I was pretty shocked by what I learned. 

*Prices are approximate and subject to change. When different retailers listed different prices, I used the most common price. Pricing also does not take into account shipping costs for those who are having paint shipped. Coverage amounts were taken from each paint’s website; I did not personally test for coverage.

chart showing 12 different furniture paints and a cost breakdown of each

There is definitely a perception that brands like Annie Sloan and General Finishes are more expensive premium paints while brands like Waverly, FolkArt, and Rustoleum are more budget-friendly chalk paints. And that seems to be true when you just look at the price.

But when you factor in coverage, it turns out that FolkArt, Waverly, and Americana Decor Satin Enamels are actually the most expensive paints. Annie Sloan and General Finishes are in the middle of the pack with Rustoleum and Americana Decor Chalky Finish paint are the least expensive.

I was definitely surprised to see this! 

I still believe that Waverly and FolkArt chalk paints can save you money if you are buying paint for a small project. The fact that you can avoid expensive shipping fees and find these paints in stores and only buy small amounts for small projects means you still save money in many instances. Even so, I was surprised by the results.

Eight different cans of furniture paint open to share the paint inside.

To be fair there are two important factors this chart doesn’t take into account. 

First, is shipping. Many chalk paints and other specialty paints are sold only from small independent stores and you may or may not have a retailer in your area.

Luckily, if you don’t have a retailer nearby, you can order pretty much any paint you want online. The downside is shipping paint is very expensive. You can expect to pay up to ten dollars in shipping for a quart of paint. And that adds up very quickly. If you do have to have your paint shipped, that will greatly affect your bottom line and this is not accounted for in the above chart.

There are a few ways to combat this. If you can buy paint in person, that is the easiest way to save on shipping costs. (I’ve even been known to stop by paint shops while on vacation to pick up paints I can’t buy locally.) You also save in the end if you buy more than one can of paint at a time. Shipping is usually cheaper per item when you are buying multiple items. Or if you have a paint-loving friend, you can order paint together and split the shipping costs. 

The second factor the chart doesn’t account for is the cost of using a separate sealer. A good sealer can cost just as much as the paint itself. Any time you don’t have to use a separate sealer, you are going to save yourself a lot of time and money. Since chalk paints always need to be sealed and other furniture paints do not, you really need to factor in the cost of your favorite sealer for a fair comparison between the two types of paint. 

My Top Paint Picks

Whew! I know that was a lot of info about furniture paint. So now what?

Pick a paint and get started painting!

If you are like me, you can get overwhelmed wanting to make the absolute perfect paint choice. But truly, none of the paints I mentioned are bad and I love working with most of them. If you are going for a smooth, flawless paint finish, choose one of the self-sealing furniture paints to try. And if you are painting a piece with a more vintage feel, choose a chalk paint to try.

As I mentioned above, General Finishes Milk Paint, is my go-to for an all-around great furniture paint. If you are looking for a great chalk paint to experiment with, Dixie Belle is a great choice. It is easy to work with, works well for both vintage and modern finishes, and is available in a variety of pretty affordable sizes.

If you are just getting started with painting furniture, I highly recommend you download my free furniture painting guide. It walks you step-by-step through the furniture painting process and answers all of those pesky questions like when you actually need primer and how to prep your furniture so your paint finish lasts.

 

 

I’d love for you to pin this post on Pinterest!

collage of different types of furniture paint

 

 

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8 Comments

  1. Im in a city environment where high gloss sleek enamel lacquer is desired. I continue to try to find a cheaper alternative to the usual brands going for $125 a quart. Any suggestions appreciated.

    1. Have you tried Amy Howard’s high performance lacquer? It is a gloss lacquer specifically made for furniture. I haven’t used it but I have had pretty good luck with her chalk paint line. My other suggestion would be to use a topcoat to get the high gloss look rather than using a glossy paint. That way you could use any paint and then add the shine as the last step. General Finishes High Performance topcoat is my favorite and it does come in a gloss option.

  2. Hi and thank you for this post. I have used all of the mentioned paints plus DIY paints debi’s Design Diary, minus the ones that are easily available. Hmm, I wonder why? Lol. I have to say that Dixie Belle and DIY are my favorites. I guess I because Dixie Belle is self leveling and has so many pretty colors plus the ones you van mix and I like to use DIY when I’m feeling a little Boho coming on. These are just my choice of paint.

    1. Thanks for chiming in! I have used DIY paint and enjoy it as well but I didn’t feel like I had used it enough to give a good review. I do love the really saturated colors though!

  3. Wow, this is a great guide! Painting furniture is something I’ve never really gotten into, BUT I just read another blog post last night that got me inspired to give it another go. I have a number of furniture pieces that I need in my home, and it will be so much easier to get exactly what I want, if I’m willing to put in the work to paint. So, this guide couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. Also, the other blog I mentioned was using General Finishes Milk Paint, as well, so now I’m definitely sold. Thanks for putting this together!

    1. Thanks Amy! Painting furniture definitely makes it so much easier to get exactly what you want when you are looking for furniture. That’s one of the biggest reasons I love to do it – it also makes it easier to redo things if you keep changing your mind, lol.

  4. I just stumbled on this post. I paint furniture as a hobby. My favorite is Dixie Belle followed by Waverly and Rustoleum. I haven’t used many of the others mentioned. But there’s a few I will definitely be trying now. This was a great read and very informative. Thanks! :)

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