Apr
2
Quite often, in speaking with people, I’m left with the sense that many feel that painting bare wood furniture, must be a difficult process. Rest assured that it is not. As with most any job, preparation is the key, and with proper preparation, your end result will be everything you’re hoping for.
The first question you need to ask is why would you want to paint bare wood furniture? If the piece is made from softwood then it makes sense as often the wood isn’t particularly pretty so a tint of color can work wonders. Stains and dyes are available in a variety of colors so you should have no problem finding one to suit your decorating scheme.
There are many different paints available, but more and more often, I’m seeing people gravitate toward water based acrylics. These are easy to clean, relatively kind to the environment, and fast drying. Don’t forget too, that if you’re painting a piece of bare wood furniture that’s destined for a child’s room, to be sure that the materials you’re using are suitable and safe for children! Many is the child who has attempted to taste-test the furnishings!
There are a variety of different paints available, but the majority of folks seem to be opting for water-based acrylics because they dry fast and are easy to clean, and generally easier on the environment. If you’re painting a piece for the kids’ room, be sure that whatever materials you use are suitable for children, as they DO have a habit of putting things in their mouths, and many aren’t above attempting to taste test the new furnishings!
If you’ve bought a piece of unfinished oak furniture, then you may want to think twice before painting it. Oak is a beautiful, natural wood, and a simple wax or stain finish might be more appropriate, and serve to highlight its natural beauty. You can always use a tinted wax if you want to subtly alter the hue of the finished piece.
If you have purchased a piece of bare wood furniture for use outdoors, you will need to use a colored preservative to stain and protect at the same time.
