Fixing Up Old Furniture? These Are the Top Paints We Recommend (2024)

If you don't like the smell of paint, Clare Paint is the best choice. With its ultra-low odor and no toxic air pollutants, it's the ultimate family-friendly bucket.

"I will admit we had some issues with this paint can, as it came in spilled all over the box," a reviewer revealed. "But customer service went above and beyond to make it up to us. If anything, just the service I received alone makes me feel like I need to buy more from this company! It’s a good thing the product itself is amazing!"

Milk paint has a more semi-transparent sheen than chalk paint, but it still gives you an antiqued finish. You can achieve a washed look by applying a V-shaped stroke, or layer on color to build to your desired shade.

"This product is awesome," according to a five-star review. "Very easy to use and goes a long way. I purchased two cans of this paint to repaint my bedroom set (two night stands, dresser, and headboard) along with a banquet table for my dinning room. I used only one can of paint to do both projects and each item needed only two coats of paint."

Need to update those Adirondack chairs or window boxes? This paint, which has a cult following, can be used on any type of surface, indoors or out, without primer.

"The paint itself is wonderfully smooth and easy to apply (my 6-year-old helped); it dried fast so I didn’t need to wait before circling back for a second coat," a shopper said. "The door hadn’t been painted in ages and is in direct hot sun 6+ hours a day, but this has held up way(!) better than expected. I also painted our old rusted metal mailbox with it; same there - beautiful! I did not sand either it or the wood door before applying; both look like new."

This formula goes on smooth and leaves a beautiful hard, finish when dry. There's no strong odor, and it holds up well to repeated cleanings. It's also tintable to hundreds of colors.

"This paint is VERY easy to work with and comes out with a very smooth finish, with little or no brush marks," a commenter wrote in a review. "I have used both a disposal foam brush and a much better Purdy trim brush, but the results are simply superior in either case. I’m just an amateur DIY homeowner and not a pro either."

What kind of paint do you use on a dresser?

“I like Sherwin Williams Pro Classic because it doesn’t need a primer or top coat and adheres well. I also like it for trim and doors because it doesn’t scuff easily,” says Julie Blanner, lifestyle blogger and entertainment expert. “I have painted so many pieces of wood furniture with this paint, and not only does it provide a flawless finish, but it doesn’t chip. It has a hard, beautiful sheen.”

What kind of paint can you use on furniture without sanding?

Sanding is messy and time-consuming, but there is an alternative. "Use a liquid sander de-glosser, which eliminates the need for sanding," Blanner adds. It’s applied like paint, easily gets in nooks and crannies, and provides a rough surface when dry so you can use your favorite furniture paint right over it.

Can you use any type of paint on furniture?

Not exactly. “A high-quality paint is required for a smooth, durable finish,” Blanner emphasizes. “A satin or semi-gloss in water-based acrylic is preferable so it adheres well and is easy to clean.”

It costs a little more than some types of wall paint, but the finish typically will look better and last longer.