Need to spruce up your own home whereas on a good finances? Shopping for new furnishings and decor is likely to be out of the query, however you’ll be able to at all times repurpose what it’s a must to lower your expenses. That’s why I like this chalk paint dresser tutorial. It’s taking what we have already got – or have gotten low cost – and fully altering how they appear with out killing our finances.
I’ve grow to be a professional at repurposing items in our home. Whether or not it’s finish tables, dressers or espresso tables, I like stripping, staining and portray furnishings to alter the look of our home with out spending a ton of cash.
One of many best methods to attain that is to make use of chalk paint. By selecting to chalk paint furnishings, you’ll be able to simply change items you have already got with out breaking the financial institution or your again. Chalk paint is simple to make use of, stays put, and has infinite prospects while you layer totally different colours with totally different waxes.
This week, I’ve determined to chalk paint an outdated black dresser with teal and grey. I like an excellent chalk paint makeover, so I’m recording the steps to point out how simple and low cost a chalk paint dresser is!
What’s chalk paint?
Chalk paint is latex paint that’s had plaster of paris and water added to it. Keep in mind utilizing plaster of paris, water, and newspaper strips to create paper mache sculptures? Yup, it’s the identical stuff.
Chalk paint colours range from model to model, so for those who don’t like what one model gives, take a look at one other! Or, make your personal.
Why use chalk paint vs common paint?
Chalk paint could be very forgiving in comparison with latex paint. It dries a lot quicker, and you’ll create stunning layers of colour in a means you can’t with latex. It’s simpler to make use of and clear up, and is cheaper than straight latex paint since you use much less. It’s additionally nice to your first time portray furnishings or a classic dresser, which may have numerous intricate design points which can be more durable to cowl.
Plus, I’ve by no means had chalk paint peel or stick the way in which that latex that hasn’t set proper does. And, it goes on a lot simpler over outdated paint whereas creating a phenomenal matte end, as you’ll see in my pictures.
Selecting to make use of chalk paint entails a pair extra steps than portray with straight latex paint, however a little bit paint goes a great distance. When you get the dangle of it, you’ll see that it’s an affordable and the easiest way to fully change the look of any items of furnishings – in addition to an affordable option to spruce up a room.
Can you utilize chalk paint on wooden furnishings?
The great thing about chalk paint is that you should use it on absolutely anything – wooden, plastic, even material! So long as it’s not one thing that may sit exterior within the climate, chalk paint will work nice on any floor. Resulting from it’s substances, it adheres effectively to absolutely anything.
Chalk Paint Colours
Chalk paint is available in nearly any colour you’ll be able to think about, from white paint to black and all the pieces in between. Every model has a distinct spin on their recipe and tinting of colours. Some are extra muted colours, whereas others are extra daring. Some widespread manufacturers are Annie Sloan chalk paint, FolkArt House Decor chalk paint, Rust-Oleum chalked paint, and Chalky Chicks chalk end paint.
When you’ve got a paint colour you like at residence, and may’t discover it one thing comparable in a chalk paint line, you’ll be able to at all times make your personal! You possibly can even create your personal chalk paint with one of many many chalk paint recipes discovered on Pinterest. Basically, you add plaster of paris and water to a latex paint that you have already got and voila – you could have chalk paint!
There are a ton of nice chalk paint recipes. Listed here are only a couple:
Plaster of Paris recipe
- 1 1/2 cups of latex paint
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup of Plaster of Paris
Non-Sanded Grout Recipe
- 1 cup of paint
- 2 tbsp of non-sanded grout
- 1-2 tbsp of water
Baking Soda Recipe
- 2/3 cups of paint
- 1/3 cup of baking soda
Calcium Carbonate Recipe
- 2 tbsp calcium carbonate powder
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 cup of paint
There are tons of different nice recipes on Pinterest, nevertheless, experimenting and determining which sort of paint you want finest appears to be the way in which to go. I’ve tried the baking soda recipe and actually cherished the way it turned out. It was gritter than the chalk paint you decide up on the retailer, however it labored splendidly for the mission I needed to make use of it for.
The way to use Chalk Paint
Utilizing chalk paint could be very simple. Fortunately I simply up to date some furnishings with chalk paint that had been handed to us, so I took pictures and wrote down the steps.
Gadgets wanted to chalk paint furnishings:
The place to purchase chalk paint for furnishings
All in all, the required gadgets added as much as lower than $30. I did have already got a sander and sandpaper mendacity round, in addition to wooden glue and chalk paint wax. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to simply discover these items on Amazon or when gross sales hit at your native craft or residence enchancment retailer, like Interest Foyer.
I do advocate getting a paint brush particularly for chalk portray. They’re simply a lot simpler to carry and actually assist to create a phenomenal texture. You may get a two pack for round $12. One of many finest brushes for chalk portray I’ve discovered is that this one.
The way to Chalk Paint a Dresser (Or any furnishings initiatives)
Chalk paint is an effective option to replace furnishings that you just now not like the colour of or simply wish to change up a room. Chalk paint is sweet factor to make use of on furnishings as a result of it does an amazing job of protecting all of the cracks, nookies, and crannies that furnishings can have. It’s additionally nice for protecting up scratches, spots have been the stain has dulled, or a earlier unhealthy paint job.
Let’s stroll by portray your furnishings with a step-by-step tutorial:
Step 1: Put together the furnishings.
It’s vital to do some prep work earlier than you paint. Begin by eradicating the knobs off of dressers and drawers. Then, you wish to sand off any thick components of outdated paint or stain. Basically, you wish to break up that outdated shiny layer that the paint or varnish has created. The brand new paint will stick a lot better for those who take away that clean high layer.
Do it’s a must to sand earlier than utilizing chalk paint?
You do NOT need to sand earlier than utilizing chalk paint. Nonetheless, I selected to as a result of there have been layers of paint constructed up that will have triggered awkard bumps. Additionally, this piece was actually outdated and I simply needed to ensure any grime and extra stuff was off to attain one of the best outcomes. Nonetheless, chalk paint stick fairly effectively to your entire floor of absolutely anything – so it’s your selection!
I begin out with a decrease grit sandpaper, like round 100. Which means it’s extra coarse, and can clear off the outdated paint quicker. On this case, there have been wooden items on high of the dresser that have been used as a base to a altering desk. I eliminated them, however there have been thick paint ridges left behind. I used the 100 grit sandpaper to take away them and create a clean end.
Utilizing a hand sander to take away the outdated paint.
Subsequent, I used a better grit sandpaper to flippantly sand and clean the wooden. You don’t need to take off all of the outdated paint – however you do need the floor clean. In any other case, you’ll really feel and see bumps that’ll drive you nuts all through your entire piece.
I recommend utilizing a sander when you’ve got one. Hand sanding is ok, however I choose my arms to not fall off. Perhaps you get pleasure from exercises although – if that’s the case, you do you, boo!
Take a look at my drawers! 😉
Step 2: Fill in any holes.
As you’ll be able to see right here, I had some holes the place the highest wooden items have been held onto the dresser with dowels. Use some wooden filler to fill in these holes. I recommend truly over filling them, as a result of it tends to shrink when it dries.
As soon as the wooden filler is totally dry, you’ll wish to hand sand it with some sandpaper. Sand off the surplus, and create a clean floor.
I preferred this wooden filler as a result of it got here in a tube and I may reduce an angle on the tip. It’s simpler than scooping the filler out of a bucket and attempting to fill the spots.
Step 3: Clear the furnishings.
Now that you just’re performed sanding, you’ll want to get all that grit off of the furnishings for a clean paint. Use a tack material to select up all the mud and grime. A tack material is a cheesecloth that has linseed oil on it. They’re nice for grabbing all these tiny particles and making a clear floor.
Tack cloths are a factor of magnificence. Simply take a look at all of the junk it picked up!
Step 4: Add wooden appliques to fancy issues up.
These are purely non-obligatory, however they will spruce up a boring piece of furnishings. They’re unfinished wooden items that appear to be flowers or scrolls.
The wooden appliques are simple so as to add. Simply add wooden glue to the again, place, and put one thing heavy on high. Don’t add an excessive amount of glue, in any other case it’ll leak out and make a multitude. If this does occur, simply seize a moist paper towel and wipe off the surplus.
Fortunately, wooden glue is absolutely sturdy and works nice. In the event you’re anxious about them falling off, you’ll be able to strive nailing them on as effectively. I’d advocate utilizing an truly nail gun although, since attempting to nail appliques with wooden glue on the again is slippery and tough work!
Professional tip: Including issues like appliques create a fantastically textured floor that may higher showcase your superior paint abilities. Why not strive one among these?
Wooden appliques are a simple option to change up the look of any wooden furnishings!
Step 5: Add your first layer of chalk paint.
Alrighty – we’re prepared so as to add our first coat of paint! The colour that you just wish to present as a spotlight, you’ll wish to placed on first. When making use of chalk paint, you’ll be able to paint in a single course in small sections to create an excellent, smoother protection. Or, you’ll be able to select to create brush strokes in a number of instructions so as to add texture and bumper protection.
Earlier than you ask, a twig gun is not going to work to use this paint. It’s too thick and would clog the system in a heartbeat. Fortunately, while you chalk paint furnishings, it dries actually quick. As quickly as I used to be performed with the third drawer, the primary one was dry. In the event you see any skinny spots in your paint, return and contact them up so you could have strong protection. In the event you strive whereas it’s nonetheless moist, you’ll be able to find yourself taking off paint. Bizarre, I do know. In the event you expertise this, anticipate it to dry after which contact up as wanted.
Add your first layer of chalk paint. This would be the colour that you really want as a spotlight, not as the primary colour.
Step 6: Use candles to create patchy spots.
Have a look at your furnishings and work out the place it’s more than likely to have put on spots. I have a tendency so as to add them across the edges, the place there are any curves or bumpy spots (like on the appliques), or on the sting of the highest of the dresser.
Anywhere you need your spotlight or base colour to point out by, you’ll wish to rub the candle over it. The extra wax you deposit from the candle, the extra you’ll have the ability to take away the highest colour.
Professional tip: The wax from the candle creates a barrier to make it simpler to take away the highest colour. If you wish to make it actually distressed and chunky, you should use petroleum jelly or one thing just like create a better barrier.
It’s lots simpler to rub the wax from the candle onto the furnishings when you’ve created a flat spot on the aspect of the candle.
Step 7: Add your high chalk paint colour.
Questioning how lengthy between coats of chalk paint? Don’t fear – it dries rapidly so that you’ll have to attend a not very very long time to ensure all the pieces’s dry. I’d say half-hour, tops!
Subsequent use your chalk paint brush so as to add your high colour. I needed a gray chalk paint dresser so I lined the turquoise with a second coat that was gray. Just remember to do an excellent coat and canopy all the pieces, together with the tiny cracks and dips round your appliques.
Paint your second chalk paint colour on. For this, I select a impartial grey.
Step 8: Time to sand, once more.
Now that your second colour of chalk paint is dry, you’ll wish to sand off the bits that you just lined in candle wax. Simply use a excessive grit sandpaper (a finer sandpaper) and begin small. You can even use a moist paper towel to take away the paint in a smoother trend.
Sandpaper will create a chunkier removing of the highest paint (see image), and the moist paper towel will create a smoother removing.
Take away as a lot or as little as you wish to create a novel chalk paint furnishings look. In the event you sand or wipe exterior of the realm with out the candle wax barrier, you’ll take away each layers of paint. It takes lots to do this although, so don’t be shy about placing your elbows into it!
Have a look at that lovely colour popping by! I’m sanding the place I beforehand rubbed the candle and left the wax barrier.
Step 9: Wax on, wax off.
Now that you just’re performed portray and distressing your piece, I’m positive you wish to know how one can end chalk paint furnishings, proper?
It is advisable seal the piece in order that the paint doesn’t unintentionally get scraped or washed off. You’ll wish to add a wax coat to seal the piece.
Chalk paint wax can are available a number of colours so as to add one other layer of colour to your furnishings. On this case, I used some clear blended with white. It created a small tint to corners and dips that added some dimension to the piece.
While you add the wax, you wish to brush it on together with your chalk paint or wax brush in a really, very skinny layer. I prefer to brush it on, after which wipe it off with a clear material towel. It retains the colour from being overbearing and taking on.
To get it into all of the cracks and crevices, use your chalk paint brush and paint in swirls to fill these spots. It will likely be onerous to take away the wax from the crevices, however it provides depth and colour to your furnishings.
Professional tip: If you’re utilizing a coloured chalk paint wax and it will get too darkish or heavy, simply apply a transparent wax over high and wipe earlier than they dry. The clear wax helps to take away the surplus darker wax simply.
Ensure you put your wax on in a lightweight layer. I prefer to wipe it proper after, earlier than it dries to take some again off.
Step 10: Buff your furnishings.
After letting your high coat dry in a single day, use a comfortable clear towel to buff the furnishings to the quantity of shine that you really want. I left mine comparatively boring since distressed and shine don’t fairly go collectively in my thoughts.
Step 11: Add knobs
When you’ve got drawers, add some new and enjoyable knobs. I snagged these at House Depot for about $3 a chunk, which was the most costly a part of the entire mission!
Add some cute and funky drawer knobs to create a brand new, enjoyable look!
Step 12: Get pleasure from your “new” furnishings!
Now that your chalk paint dresser makeover is full, put it instead and admire your stunning work!
Have a look at how the swirls of the wooden appliques add additional spots for the spotlight colour to shine by!
I like the country distressed look utilizing candle wax and sanding created right here.
Right here you’ll be able to see the white chalk paint wax has left some further highlights on the wooden applique.
Chalk Paint Furnishings Earlier than and After:
Right here’s the ultimate earlier than and after shot of an vintage dresser – fairly the distinction, proper?
Not too shabby, eh? The perfect half is that there are tons of nice chalk paint dresser concepts on the market – a white chalk paint dresser diy with a stained high, a strong colour with no wax/secondary colour, and even coloured wax to deepen the hues within the depressed areas. You possibly can strive a number of coats of paint, or only one. The probabilities of chalk paint are countless!
And so they don’t cease at chalk paint dresser concepts – you might chalk paint your complete bed room furnishings suite to do an affordable and straightforward refresh in your room.
There are one million chalk paint furnishings concepts that you should use to alter up your private home with out spending a fortune. Now that you know the way simple it’s, you could find methods to make use of chalk paint throughout your own home. I’ve refinished bookcases, dressers, and even created a number of image frames and painted them. The methods by which you should use chalk paint are countless!
I’ve additionally up to date our rest room mirror body with paint – you’ll be able to test it out right here! Good luck and pleased portray!
Enthusiastic about promoting your up to date furnishings piece as soon as it’s full? Be taught which gadgets promote finest on websites like Etsy right here.
Did you discover this tutorial on my turning making my chalk paint dresser gray useful? In that case, remark under and present me your earlier than and after furnishings makeovers! I’d completely like to see them!
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