Are you in search of the best furniture paint to use on your next project? Here is my favorite furniture paint and why I love it so much!
There are so many furniture paint options on the market it makes it hard to decide which paint to use. In reality, you can always use a regular satin or semi-gloss sheen paint on furniture.
However, if you use regular paint then you have to use a clear top coat for protection – especially on the horizontal surfaces.
Top coating with polyurethane adds days to your project time. If you are looking for a paint you don’t have to top coat and dries to a smooth hard finish, I have the best furniture paint for you!
Guess what? That means it isn’t chalk paint!
Painting Furniture
Yes, I’ve been coined by my friends the “Queen of Painting Everything” and have quite a lot of paint expertise after working for Valspar (now owned by Sherwin Williams).
You know what paint is not my favorite furniture paint? Chalk finish paints!
Shocking I know because the piece people love the most in my home was painted with Valspar’s Chalky Paint and you can read all about it in this post.
Painted with Valspar Chalky Paint: Color Sharkfin + Custom Wash
Wall Color: Valspar CI191, Sea Salt Blue
Credenza Color: Valspar 34007-2A, Sharkfin, with custom wash
Why don’t I like chalk paint for furniture? Chalk paint is just like all typical latex paints and you must protect the chalk paint surface with either wax or polyurethane. Bottom line is a top coat adds time! Time to apply, dry and sand or buff.
This credenza I top coated with a matte polyurethane to protect it from scratches and wear, but that added 2 days to the project – not fun.
Who doesn’t want to shorten a paint project? This woman sure does!
To give you perspective, here are all of the furniture pieces I’ve painted in the last 24 months in my home:
- 2 nightstands
- French armoire
- Bombay chest
- Foyer table
- Kitchen table
- Coffee table
- 4 chairs
Just a few things in my repertoire of painting projects 🙂 I used the SAME paint on every project. I’ve both sprayed on this paint with an airless sprayer and hand applied with a brush and foam roller.
This paint NEVER disappoints and has worn perfectly, with no top coat!
My Favorite Furniture Paint
What is this seemingly perfect furniture paint? It is Valspar’s Cabinet Enamel! What Tracey? You are using a cabinet paint on furniture? You bet I am!
I’m sure you are wondering why I love a cabinet enamel for furniture?
Why I am a fan:
- This is paint technology that acts like an oil and cures to a hard tough finish
- Water based, which means soap and water clean up
- Low odor, low VOC (gasses)
- Available in almost all of Valspar’s paint colors (2,000+)
- Flows and levels beautifully, which means virtually no brush marks!
- Non-yellowing like the old oil paints
#1 reason I LOVE this paint: NO TOP COAT NEEDED!
Valspar Cabinet Paint
This really is a new paint technology called alkyd oil. What that means in plain terms is there is a molecule of oil trapped inside the latex paint. So once the paint dries and cures, it ends up being as tough as an oil based paint. Cool!
Why don’t I like oil paint? They yellow over time, they are high in VOCs (volatile organic compounds), have a very strong odor, and require cleaning up with mineral spirits.
Application Tips
- IMPORTANT do not shake the can of paint! To mix ONLY STIR.
- If you do shake it, don’t use the paint until it settles.
- Little air bubbles will get trapped in the paint and will leave marks on the surface of the paint.
- When hand applying, use only a FOAM roller and nylon/polyester brush
- Be prepared to apply 2 coats and possibly prime first (I always prime when going over stain)
- Let the 1st coat dry OVERNIGHT, before applying 2nd coat.
- Don’t place objects on the surface, until the 2nd coat drys 48 hours.
When making over my foyer table to a new color, I painted over the original paint that was also Valspar Cabinet Enamel.
I’m happy to report that I didn’t have to sand or prime and could just re-coat again with Valspar Cabinet Enamel!
I was able to get full coverage in just one coat. This was a half hour project that completely made over a piece of furniture in my home. See the final results of this project at the bottom of this post.
However, ALL other furniture paint projects I’ve painted directly over stain and PRIMED FIRST (look for a latex bonding primer – I recommend a few in this post).
Painted Furniture Review
Below is a nice review of some of the furniture I’ve painted with Valspar Cabinet Enamel. I’ll link the posts associated with these projects, if you would like to read more about them.
I’ll share the paint colors I used too!
Master Bedroom Furniture Paint Makeover
Ceiling and Wall Color: Valspar CI 13, Feeling Blue
Armoire and Nightstand Color: Cabinet Enamel, Valspar 3008-10B, Light Raffia
Bombay Chest Paint Makeover
Wall Color: Valspar 3004-8B, Hazy Yellow
Chest Color: Cabinet Enamel, Valspar 5004-3B, Garden Flower
Pottery Barn Driftwood Faux Finish
Wall Color: Valspar 3007-10A, Wetland Clay
Chair Color: Valspar 7002-16, Swiss Coffee
Table Custom DIY Finish: Click Here
Reveal: Modern Coastal Powder Room
Wall Color: Valspar CI198, String of Pearls
Foyer Sideboard: Valspar 5001-2A, Academy Gray
See that beautiful smooth finish, with no brush strokes, and a hard finish? Yes, you can achieve the same results when you paint your furniture too!
Pin It for Later!
Do you want to see this paint in action on actual cabinets? Yes, I love it for cabinets too! Watch this video and read How-to Paint Cabinets and Get a Smooth Finish
Good luck on your next paint project! So you never miss a post, tip or trick please consider signing up for my weekly email newsletter!
Until next time…
Porch Daydreamer
Tracey
Jennifer says
I’ve read both this post and the Chalk paint post and I am not sure which technique to use on a wood finished table and chairs for my daughter. The effect that I want is a black coat over a grey coat, and burnishing very minimally on edges so the grey will come through. The pieces are fairly clean lined without a lot of detail. I don’t want an overly glossy finish, but enough so it will be easy to clean. Which technique do you recommend, and in either one, will I have to do 2 coats of the Black over 1 coat of grey?
I appreciate your advise and usually do not reach out with questions, but you really seem to know what you are doing. I use to paint many items in my past, but it has been so long, and products have changed.
Thank you!
[email protected] says
What an interesting question and every time I create a new finish I think through how to layer the paint to get the look I want. So this one is easy 🙂 Yes, what you said I would do and start with the gray under the black if black is the primary color with gray highlights. You can get this look with either paint choice, but will have to wax or polyurethane over the top of the chalk paint (which I am sure you know). Sounds like it will be beautiful.
jennifer says
Thanks! After reading through every possible blog of yours on painting techniques, I have decided to go with the Valspar Bonding Primer and Cabinet Enamel option, rather than Chalk Paint. Off to Lowes!
Wish me luck and thank you for your quick reply! Love your site!
[email protected] says
Awwww, thank you! Buy some foam rollers too…SO important to get a smooth finish and “strike off” in long strokes to avoid roller marks! Basically, that means pull your roller from one end of the table to the other as you finish a section 🙂
Jenifer Fennell says
Hi! I have been reading your blog vigorously and I am so appreciative of all the information. I have nothing but mahogony/cherry furniture in my home. From dining room, to cabinetry to bedrooms. It’s a lot, and I so want new colors but buying all new furniture with good furniture already here seems like a waste of money. Especially with 4 kids. That being said, if I use the valspar cabinet enamel on say an active dining room table…and let it cure for 48 hours. Do I need to polyurethane it afterwards? Or am I good to go? The kids and I all end up at the dining room table with laptops etc. So it sees a lot of action. What do you recommend to do for this type of surface.
[email protected] says
Hey, Jenifer! I’d say with 4 kids and knowing you are going to use the surface a lot protecting it with a top coat is a good idea. My favorite that I used on the table in my son’s loft area is coated with a couple of coats of Minwax Polycrylic water based polyurethane in satin sheen. If you want a shinier finish, you can use a semi-gloss. Happy painting!
Kathryn says
What sheen do you typically use? Satin or semi gloss?
Thank you!
[email protected] says
Hey, Kathryn! This only comes in one sheen and it’s perfect. A blend of satin and semi-gloss.
Iris says
This maybe a dumb question, I’m new to painting but now want to paint everything. My house has a lot of dark wood. Could you use this paint on wood trim and wood molding?
[email protected] says
Iris, never a dumb question here 🙂 It’s too expensive of a paint for trim, so I’d recommend a semi-gloss paint. Here is a good blog post that will help you…since you plan to paint everything 😉 https://porchdaydreamer.com/best-paint-sheen-by-project/
Brandea Anderson says
Hi There!
I’m preparing for a kitchen cabinet redo and I’m uncertain about one major thing – the cabinets are oak. Do you have any experience using this paint with oak? If so, did you feel the need to use a wood filler or does the primer/paint will well?
Thanks!
Brandea
[email protected] says
Brandea, sorry I haven’t had to paint over oak. It really is up to you and the look you want. Many people want to cover the graining and use a filler to mask it. That will be a lot of work and if it’s really just a brighter color you are after, I’d say skip it and save yourself the time 🙂
Mandy says
Hello. I recently tried the enamel paint and love it! You used light raffia for the armoire? Is it a true light grey like it looks in the photos or does it have strong undertones? I need a true light grey paint to paint my daughter’s furniture and am trying to avoid purple, blue or green undertones. Thanks in advance.
[email protected] says
Hey, Mandy! Glad you love the enamel. Light raffia is definitely not a gray, but a creamy off-white. Try Valspar Tempered Gray 4004-1A. It’s a warmer gray to avoid the cooler tones you mentioned. Let me know what you think!
Miranda A Martorana says
Hi Cindy! I have a dining room set that I want to try this method on. Do other brands of cabinet enamel work just as well? Also do I need to prime or is this a paint and go method?
[email protected] says
Hey, Miranda! I’ve only used the Valspar brand because I worked there and know that it is a unique technology. It’s never disappointed! Here is an article that will walk you through the general steps – I clean, prime, and use the Valspar Cabinet Enamel:
https://porchdaydreamer.com/dont-sand-before-painting/
Have a great day! Tracey
Brandy says
We just moved into a beautiful new home… And all of our furniture looks sad and tired and sooo mismatched now. I want to paint EVERYTHING! LOL! I love the look of the new Valspar paints. Can I ask, why do you use the cabinet paint instead of the Valspar furniture paint? And is the finished look shiny? I prefer a more matte look. Would I need to apply something else for that look? Finally… Is it possible to make it look a little bit distressed? Sorry for so many questions. 😁 I am anxious to get painting!!
[email protected] says
Brandy, my best advice is to click through to the various posts I link in this article to see how the product looks in various settings. The furniture paint is “same girl different dress’ as the cabinet enamel and came out later. So I just stick with the Cabinet Enamel, since I have been using it for years. The sheen is between a satin and semi-gloss. Check out this post of my bedroom to see how it looks in the daylight on my armoire – it would only have that maximum of a sheen in direct sunlight. Remember the more sheen the more durable and easier to clean. The cabinet enamel has been so durable on my nightstands. https://porchdaydreamer.com/paint-sprayer-best-project-ever/
If you truly want a matte look, then use chalky paint with a matte polyurethane top coat. Link to post about that here: https://porchdaydreamer.com/chalk-paint-stained-furniture/
Here is a post and I have done antiquing glaze over the enamel on a table without issue, but it is VERY hard to sand of course due to the hard finish. https://porchdaydreamer.com/antiquing-glazing-cabinets-and-furniture/
More painting advice is compiled here: https://porchdaydreamer.com/paint-project-resource/
Tracy says
Hi,
You’re work is gorgeous! I’m thinking of adapting your spray method for my a dresser turned vanity. Do you think it would be possible to use the Valspar Cabinet spray in the Wagner Home Decor Stationary HVLP Paint Sprayer instead of the Studio Pro (they are on sale in my area)? Or would I be better off with a foam roller and brush method? Would a paint conditioner help things go more smoothly?
Thanks so much!
Tracy
[email protected] says
Tracy (I like your name!), Thank you so much! Absolutely, the sprayer you mention should work just fine. I ended up wearing out my Studio Pro and bought a smaller version. It’s listed in this post, with a video showing me using it. Also, I share my opinion on rolling vs spraying 🙂
https://porchdaydreamer.com/hand-painting-or-spraying-cabinets-what-is-better/
Tracy says
Thanks so much, name buddy! You are truly a lifesaver!!
Betty Bilnoski says
I love your blog and all the tips. I’m a novice when it comes to painting furniture although my Hubby did some antiquing on our hand-me-down furniture when we were married in the 1970’s. Seventeen years ago we inherited a very-yellowed French Provincial bedroom set from my beloved aunt & uncle. It’s seen better days but I just couldn’t part with it. We’ve never attempted to restore it because we were unsure how to go about it. Recently when I suggested chalk painting it to my Hubby he was very skeptical. And then I found your post about Valspar Cabinet Enamel paint and he said YES – that’s what he wants to use. So it looks like our old furniture will finally be getting its much-deserved makeover. Thank you!
[email protected] says
Betty, I KNOW that furniture set you are talking about! It will look beautiful painted a new up to date color like my bedroom furniture 🙂 GOOD LUCK!
Cindy says
Thank you for all this info on the Valspar Cabinet paint. We are starting to paint this weekend, our kitchen cabinets are already painted, but doing a refresh, we love Valspar paint but have not used this paint. Will give it a try.
[email protected] says
Hey, Cindy! Funny enough this weekend I am going to repaint my bathroom cabinets in a new color, with the cabinet enamel. I’ll be doing a post soon about how I am handling nicks and chips (very few around my makeup drawer). Good luck and I hope you love it! Use a foam roller and you will get a perfect finish.
Jeanne says
Thank you for the valuable info- paint choices always confuse me! Maybe I’m asking the obvious, but would this paint work well for kitchen cabinets? (After priming, of course)
[email protected] says
Yes, and it is what I use for my cabinets. Here is a link to that article https://porchdaydreamer.com/painting-cabinets-get-a-smooth-finish-every-time/
Also, I’ve added a new page with my most popular painting posts that may help too! https://porchdaydreamer.com/paint-project-resource/
Linda says
All your painted wood pieces are beautiful. And I appreciate knowing that it is Valspar! When painting over stained surfaces, what kind of primer do you use, oil or latex?
[email protected] says
Linda, thank you! I always use Valspar’s Bonding Primer which is water / latex based for soap and water clean up. Thanks for asking the question, so I can make sure I address it in this post for everyone to know 😉
Jennifer says
Hi Tracey! So good to know! I have painted a couple pieces with horizontal surfaces with Benjamin Moore paint we used for our walls. Last summer we did a French dresser with an air sprayer after seeing your beautiful piece you sprayed. We let the piece cure for a couple weeks before we put anything on it and it still marks up when I change things around. Did not apply a top coat. So disappointed in wasting all that time! Next time I will try this paint. Thanks for sharing your valuable experience!
[email protected] says
Thank you, but I am sorry it didn’t hold up! You can lightly sand the top, clean off the dust, add another coat of paint, and then top coat. You can save it 😉