How to paint furniture with natural paint

Painting furniture is a great way to give an old piece a fresh new look, and it’s often easier than people think. Whether you’re updating a charity shop find or refreshing something already in your home, our beautiful, pigment rich, natural paint can make all the difference.

That said, knowing where to start can be a sticking point that means you are putting it off. Do you need to sand? Prime? Seal? Every piece of furniture is a little different, and the steps can vary depending on the surface and the finish you’re going for.

To help, we’ve created a handy Furniture Painting Flow Chart that walks you through the process step by step. It takes the guesswork out of the prep, painting, and finishing stages so you can get the best results without second-guessing.

How to decide what colour to choose?

The best inspiration can be to look at other people’s work. We particularly love this stunning chest of drawers painted in Invisible Green by Sarah Gordon Studio Ltd. The walls of the master bedroom are painted in Tawny, a fabulous combination.

If you’re feeling creative, take a look at our colours and get started with something small, for inspiration look at Emma Diaz‘s mini side table with pretty waved edges featuring our popular plaster pink, Jonquil. Painting furniture is a satisfying, sustainable way to refresh your space—and with the right tools and guidance, it’s completely doable.

Why Use Natural Paint?

Our natural paints are  better for the environment as they are made with earth and mineral pigments and a ground-breaking plant based binder. Free from harsh chemicals, our paints are made with carefully sourced ingredients—ideal for homes with children, pets, or anyone sensitive to synthetic paints…and well, everybody really!

Plus, they offer beautiful, long-lasting finishes in a range of timeless colours all made from beautiful, natural, colour rich pigments as illustrated by these stunning colours, Brick and Azurite.

Some other tips for Painting Furniture

Here are a few general pointers to get you started:

• Prepare the area before you start. Make sure the furniture is sitting on a dust sheet protecting your floor.
• Clean the surface well. Dust, grease and dirt can affect how the paint sticks.
• Test a small area first. This is especially useful if you’re not sure what kind of finish or coating is already on the furniture.

Remember… when you’ve finished, avoid the temptation to use it immediately. Sit back, admire your handiwork and allow the paint to cure fully for 7 days.

Don’t forget to tag us in your photos on Instagram. We love seeing how you use our paints to bring old pieces back to life.

If you are keen to start and want to discuss colours or need any other advice, our team are here to help and are keen to hear from you.

For more detailed information on our paints and how to use them, click on the buttons to read the technical sheets.