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Should You Paint Over Stained Wood? How-to Decide

Wondering if you should paint that piece of stained wood furniture or cabinets? I’m here to help you make YOUR DECISION.

Are you staring at a piece of either old or fairly new stained furniture and wondering if you may ruin it by painting it?

It comes to mind at times like this: To paint over the stain or not to paint over the stain? That is the question that plagues many.

It’s even started quite a debate on my Instagram account, with hard core believers of never painting over stained wood clashing with those who defend it.

This Instagram post has over 750K views where I defend painting my large stained armoire entertainment center, which I purchased in 2009.

I thought it was time to clear up my feelings on this subject because are are some things (in my opinion) you should NEVER paint.

More on that later!

Let’s think about some reasons you may want to paint a piece of furniture or cabinetry:

  1. Change to a color that coordinates with your decor.
  2. Repair or restore the finish.
  3. Create a whole new look.

You could be considering painting something you currently own, a consignment piece, a flea market find or something that has been passed down to you from a loved one.

Paint can be transformative and breathe new life into anything!

Sometimes the stained finish is so damaged the only option is to paint it.

Where does my passion for painting come from you ask?

Over the past 30 years, I’ve tackled a lot of cabinet and furniture painting!

After working for Valspar for 5 years, I learned a lot about paint, paint technology, and how-to paint in general.

It included learning how to make paint and gaining The Master Painters Institute – Architectural Coating Technologist Certification.

Here’s the proof 🙂 Gotta love rocking the glasses with the eye protection. Sexy…

Porch Daydreamer Making Paint
In the paint lab at Valspar

When I say I know something about how to paint really anything, I hope you believe me. 

My passion runs deep. It started in my first apartment when I had “champagne tastes on a beer budget.”

Buying 2nd hand items was what I could afford and painting them to work with my decor was the best option.

One of my first painted pieces mid 90’s with a pearlized faux finish

That piece USED to be stained a deep burgundy and I decided to move it from the living room to the bedroom.

My painting passion was born and so was my love of blue and green painted furniture!

Repurposing is also something that I’ve always believed in too.

Here are 9 examples where I painted over stained wood

Below are some examples of when I’ve painted over stained wood to update both cabinets and furniture.

The before and after pictures tell quite a story about how many paint makeovers I’ve tackled in the last 5 years.

There is a pervasive theme  – I started to paint anything dark in my home!

Dark stains were popular 10 to 15 years ago and now color is king, so I decided to bring color into various rooms of my home.

If you LOVE stained wood and think I’ve ruined my furniture or cabinets, I would never tell you leaving your items stained is ugly.

Be supportive of my choices as much as I am of yours. Both are beautiful.

Have fun scrolling. It will be like being on the OLD Instagram right?

SHOP MY HOME HERE

before-after-painted-stained-wood-entertainment-center-porch-daydreamer
The armoire that sparked the debate!
Take the Class Here
before-after-painted-stained-stair-risers-porch-daydreamer
The foyer is SO much brighter now.
Painting Stairs Tutorial
before-after-painted-stained-powder-room-cabinets-porch-daydreamer
Painted Distressed Wood Finish
Take the Class Here
before-after-painted-stained-cabinets-porch-daydreamer
This one was a FULL makeover!
Tutorial Here
before-after-painted-stained-french-armoire-porch-daydreamer
Beautiful Before and After
Tutorial Here
before-after-painted-stained-dining-chair-porch-daydreamer
Brand new chair paint makeover!
Take Beginner Class Here
before-after-painted-stained-nightstand-porch-daydreamer
Two part makeover! Painted twice.
Tutorial Here
before-after-painted-stained-credenza-porch-daydreamer
LOVED the change to this furniture.
Tutorial Here
before-after-painted-stained-primary-bathroom-cabinets-porch-daydreamer
Painted green and eventually white!
Bathroom Remodel Here

Wasn’t that fun to go through all of the before and after photos?

All of these pieces of furniture and the cabinets are relatively new…nothing precious or antique.

The oldest piece was purchased in 1997. Have fun scrolling and where I have tutorials there will be a link under the photo.

I PERSONALLY painted every single one of these pieces with love.

When to Paint Stained Cabinets or Furniture

  • You can’t afford to replace it, but want a change
  • The look you want can’t be bought
  • Add light or color to an area
  • Create visual interest
  • Embrace a new home decor trend
  • Highlight carved details
  • Update an outdated piece

Here are some of the “whys” around choosing to paint the items above:

  • Literally, everyone that came into my home said my large stained entertainment center didn’t “fit” and the lighter color does.
  • Painting the dining room credenza was a decision that kept me up at night and now it looks even more beautiful.
  • The office was dark and felt closed in, so lighter paint and walls opened up the space.
  • Going from espresso stain to a faux driftwood finish on the powder room cabinets gave the room a modern coastal vibe.
  • My “divorce” primary bedroom furniture was bringing me down and paint highlighted the carved detail, lightened the room, and made me happy since I couldn’t afford to replace it!

When to replace

  • You want a new look that can’t be achieved with paint
  • Your budget allows for a new purchase
  • The piece is beyond repair
  • An item is associated with a negative time in your life

As my budget allowed, I also replaced items as part of my makeovers.

I LOVE the look of canopy beds and wanted to move up to a king sized bed. I consigned the stained wood headboard instead of painting it.

The dark walnut media wall in my son’s man cave was replaced with a bright white media wall because the original was cheap and falling apart.

Plus it was associated with a negative time, so BYE! Off it went.

Truly I haven’t replaced much and painted instead.

When not to paint

  • It’s a family heirloom
  • An antique with value that would be lost by painting
  • Stain brings a rich warmth to your home decor
  • You love the beauty of stained wood more than a painted finish

Not everyone wants a painted finish and there are gorgeous pieces of furniture that it would feel like a sin to paint.

In my home, there are pieces I love stained and the warmth they bring to the room.

bedroom-board-batten-picture-shelf-ledge-mineral-deposit-sherwin-williams

Ultimately deciding to paint over stained wood is up to you!

To paint or not to paint is really about personal preference.

There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Let’s stop debating and support each other in our decisions.

My only advice before you cover over a stain with paint is to prime first!

My favorite primer is Valspar’s Bonding Primer (affiliate link) that sticks to just about everything. It was used on every project featured.

Create the look you love and can LIVE with for years to come.

A painted or stained finish is all beautiful in my eyes 🙂 What is beautiful in yours?

Please consider following me on Instagram for daily inspiration.

Until next time…

Porch Daydreamer

Tracey

15 Comments

  1. What good is a beautiful old piece of wood furniture if it’s stuck in storage somewhere. Give it new life with paint and enjoy it! I love your blog! The name of your blog is what caught my attention.

  2. I love both painted and stained in my home and love both . I have learned so much from you.I am starting my biggest project yet my dining room table and chairs and I going to paint chairs and bottom of table and stain the top.Best of both worlds.

  3. Tracey,

    I completely agree that it’s personal preference, and no one should make a negative comment about how we choose to decorate our own homes. I have several stained pieces in my home that anchor my “white” surroundings. I also have an antique heirloom bedroom suit that means so much to me. It’s well over 110 years old. The original stain has worn off in different places since I inherited it as a teenager. It needs to be restored, but my budget won’t allow it. I want to paint it but I’m not going to lie, I’m scared to do it! I’ve never seen it in any other color, so that scares me too but it doesn’t match my decor. It’s a very dark walnut.

  4. Isn’t it interesting how many people want to tell you what to do with your possessions? The internet allows people to give unwanted opinions on many different subjects, not just whether or not you should paint your stained furniture. When did we discard acceptable norms and politeness? There was a time in our social history where you kept your negative opinions to yourself but the internet has made us rude. I was also taught to not say anything if I do not have something nice to say (can’t say I have always been successful, but I digress). Anyway, I have painted several stained pcs of furniture so that it would coordinate with my decor. “Your” house is lovely and I appreciate all of your tips so thank you!

  5. Your paint makeovers bring light to your decor; I love the look. Unfortunately, I married a man (59 years ago) who is ADAMANT that if it’s stained wood, don’t paint it. One house had a big red brick fireplace that was like the elephant in the room. I wanted to paint it, but he said “no.” Our kitchen in this house is big, with stained wood cabinets. I’d love to paint them. Alas, it’s too big a job for me to handle… Keep on painting what you love, Tracy. I do plan to paint a stained vanity in the master bath (using your great advice and techniques). Thanks for the inspiration.

  6. Tracy , you do a great job! I agree painting old and dark pieces is a personal preference! I think some people are attached to the old and dark verses the memory of the person that owned it! I have several pieces of old furniture that I’ve had painted and I wouldn’t use them in my house if they were dark wood? you have done an amazing job with your home, I love everything you’ve done over the years and I’m totally impressed by your painting knowledge! I’m taking one of your classes when I get into my new house 🙂 thanks for sharing your painting skills!

    1. June you are so sweet and have been with me for a long time. Thank you for your kind words and I am so glad you’ve transformed your furniture into something new. Better than casting it aside, right?

  7. You say not to paint a family heirloom. What do you do if it just doesn’t match in the room? My sister has our grandmother’s sideboard. It fits perfectly in her dining room but doesn’t match the other furniture pieces, the wall color, rug etc. Do you stain it a different color?

    1. It’s up to you what to do…this was my last line in the post:

      To paint or not to paint is really about personal preference. There is no right or wrong answer to this question.

      I ended up painting my stained credenza and have NO regrets. You can see the tutorial here: Yes! You can chalk paint over stain

  8. Ruthie Mitchell says:

    I am about to do my first chalk paint project. It is a two door rolling cabinet/bar.
    So, I know nothing!! Do I Killz it first? Then paint? What type brush? In on of your pictures, your brush looks round, like a stencil brush. Any advice will help! The cabinet is shiny mahogany wood/ laminate, I’m not sure.

    1. Ruthie,

      First, good! I’m glad you are going to try chalk paint. I’ve covered this subject in two posts. Please read this post FIRST https://porchdaydreamer.com/stop-chalk-paint-bleed-through/ and read this post SECOND (which is linked in the other post as well) https://porchdaydreamer.com/chalk-paint-stained-furniture/. ALL of my best advice, products I recommend, the brush I used, and how I applied are in those two articles. Hope they help! Follow my advice and test a couple of areas first with chalk paint to see if you get any bleed through and then if you do prime with Valspar Bonding Primer, which you can buy at Lowe’s.

      Best regards,
      Tracey

  9. The spray painted white armoire is gorgeous. All of you work is beautiful, I did my first chalk paint the other day. It’s fun.

  10. Tracey – what is a good “white” or light color to use for painting a dark dresser? and do you have suggestions on replacing pulls on the dresser?? would love your suggestions!!

    1. Hey Kim! Are you putting this in a room where a light color (not white) could be fun? Also, what color are the primary metallics in the room? Golds, bronze, or silver?

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