How to Hand-Paint Designs on Furniture

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Painting a design on a piece of furniture is a wonderful way to customize it. Whether in two-tone application or in patterns, the possibilities are endless, and the results often stunning. 

There is no easier or more affordable way to change the look of a piece of furniture than with hand-painting. Find an original idea, a different technique, and get down to work. 

Here are some ideas on how to hand-paint designs on furniture.

How to Hand-Paint Designs on Furniture: 5 wonderful ideas

  1. With stencil

Decorating a piece of furniture with simple motifs is an easy project that can be accomplished by the stencil technique. It consists of using special templates (usually plastic or acetate) to create the drawings, as in the sideboard in the image. 

  • Apply two coats of base paint and allow drying completely. 
  • Then place the stencil template where you want to reproduce the design and secure it with masking tape. 
  • You have two options to apply the paint: use a small roller or a stencil brush (stiff bristle and straight finish). 
  • Go working little by little. Be careful at the edges.

One tip: before you start using your stencil, you can apply a coat of water-based varnish to give it more body and make it more resistant.

  1. With printed polka dots

Polka dots can fill a room with color and warmth. Hand-painting this type of piece could not be easier. Choose two contrasting colors, like blue and orange, and use one for the interior and one for the exterior of the furniture. Once the paint is dry, you can stamp the white spots with the help of a circular stamp or paint with a brush. 

  • Start at the bottom, and work your way up, decreasing the number of circles. 
  • An idea: you can stamp the moles with homemade tampons designed by you. 
  • You can use the cork from a wine bottle, for example.
  1. An industrial touch with fluffiness

With a simple wooden cabinet and the sponge technique, you can get an industrial style sideboard. To do this, you just have to paint it petrol blue, covering the entire surface of the furniture. For paint, acrylic paint on wood is a better option. 

One tip: find a ventilated place to paint the furniture, and cover the floor and other surfaces with plastic to avoid stains. 

Once it has dried, use the puffing technique to give it that uneven texture so special. With the help of a sponge, apply blue and reddish-brown paint with small touches. Alternate both colors, until you achieve the desired appearance.

  1. Malachite effect

Malachite is a mineral with a characteristic green color and very special veins. Recreating its appearance on a piece of furniture is a great idea. You can carry out with paint on the top of a side table, for example. 

  • Start by applying a coat of deep green paint. 
  • Once dry, use fine-grained sandpaper to make the surface smooth to the touch.
  • Next, mix dark green paint with some water-based varnish. 
  • A tip: to mix paint and varnish and achieve a special texture, both products must be acrylic (water-based). Never mix water-based paint with a synthetic varnish.
  • Apply the paint and create semicircular waves with a piece of cardboard, imitating the appearance of malachite. 

You can emphasize some lines with the handle of a brush, or any other similar tool. Allow to dry completely and apply a coat of gloss finish varnish.

  1. An original design

Arouse your creativity and use original drawings to decorate any piece of furniture you want to renovate. For example, a funny white hand that adorns a chest of drawers, in a most imaginative job. 

The key, in addition to the spectacular design, lies in using only two contrasting colors. 

  • A paper template can be used to draw the motif on the furniture. 
  • Then paint the drawing with a fine brush and fill in with a flat brush of the appropriate size. 
  • Finish with a layer of colorless varnish with a matt finish. 

One tip: changing the handles of the dresser will be the final detail to achieve a more original result.

  1. Color gradient

The furniture with drawers is perfect for decorating with the technique of the color gradient. It does not need to be noble pieces or special furniture. Any simple chest of drawers can work a miracle.  

  • Choose two colors that contrast, better if they are complementary such as blue and orange. 
  • Paint the top one orange and the last one blue. 
  • Then mix both colors, varying the proportion of each one, to create intermediate tones.
  • Paint each drawer with a different tone. 

Finish by painting the frame of the chest of drawers in a dark, black or gray color.

In Conclusion

Once the paint is completely dry, wax with Fiddies wax or varnish can be applied to protect the surface. There are them in different finishes depending on the desired result: gloss, satin or matte.

Depending on the furniture and the chosen design, the renovation can be finished. It can be given a vintage or aged look by sanding the ends a bit, or it can be stripped in two or more colors. The options are endless. 

Hopefully, our word has satisfied your quest on how to hand-paint designs on furniture!

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