Painting wood furniture should be quick, cheap, and fun. How to paint wood furniture is your beginner-friendly guide to a one-day makeover—no pro sprayer, no workshop. You’ll learn the five simplest steps, see what good paint really costs, and find out how to list the finished piece on Asherfield, where buyers pay a 15 % deposit up front and you pocket the remaining 85 percent at pickup or delivery. Erin SpainAirtasker
Why paint instead of replace?
- A pro repaint runs $200 – $500 per item, but DIY supplies often total $70 – $120. AirtaskerSawmill Creek
- Liquid deglosser dulls glossy coats in minutes, saving hours of sanding. The Sprucestampede.ai
- Bold colors and chalk paints lift resale value; some flippers see up to 200 % higher conversion with fresh, styled photos. 3D Product Viz & Personalizationmarpipe.com
Key takeaway: painting is the fastest path from dull to sold.
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Cheap five-item tool kit
| Item | Cost | Why you need it |
|---|---|---|
| Bonding primer | $12 | Sticks to varnish; no peeling. Architectural Digest |
| Liquid deglosser | $8 | Replaces sanding on glossy pieces. stampede.ai |
| Low-VOC latex or chalk paint | $30–$55/gal | Safe indoor use, smooth feel. The Home DepotArchitectural Digest |
| Foam roller + angled brush | $6 | Level coat, no streaks. Erin Spain |
| Water-based polyurethane | $10 | Quick-dry seal; wipes on. Reddit |
(Low-VOC paints at big-box stores start under $6 per quart, so you don’t need boutique jars. The Home Depot)
Step-by-step paint refresh
- Clean & prep – Wash with mild soap; remove hardware. Erin Spain
- Degloss – Wipe liquid deglosser over shiny finish; wait 10 min. stampede.ai
- Prime – Roll on a bonding primer; let dry 30 min. Architectural Digest
- Paint – Apply two thin coats of low-VOC latex or chalk paint; most brands dry to the touch in 30 min. Renovated FaithPeony Lane Designs
- Seal – Wipe on polyurethane; re-coat in two hours, fully cures in 1–3 days. RedditSawmill Creek
(Upload a before/after carousel—good images can lift furniture sales up to 15%.) Website
Cost & profit snapshot
| Path | Out-of-pocket | Typical resale bump | Net gain on Asherfield* |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY paint kit | $70–$120 | +$150–$250 value | $97–$213 (85 % payout) |
| Pro shop repaint | $200–$500 | value captured in fee | – |
*Assumes buyer covers local pickup/delivery.
Flip it on Asherfield (keep 85 %)
- Serious buyers only – a 15 % deposit trims no-shows by up to 15%. stampede.ai
- Fast payout – collect the other 85 % at hand-off—no month-long checks.
- Free-delivery badge – raised conversion 19 % on a furniture e-commerce test. Growth Rock
- Zero listing fee – update price or photos anytime, right from home.
Pro tip: fold delivery cost into price; buyers still feel they’re getting a deal.
Internal links
- How to refinish wood furniture (beginners) – clean, sand, stain basics
- Refinish furniture without stripping – wipe-on method
- Furniture painting price guide – pro cost math
- Dining table refinishing cost – big-surface rates
- Furniture upcycling business – turn flips into income
- Back to the upcycling furniture pillar
FAQ
Do I have to sand first?
No—liquid deglosser and bonding primer make sanding optional. The SpruceArchitectural Digest
What paint lasts longest?
Low-VOC urethane enamels resist chips and water; expect $52+ per gallon. The Home Depot
How long does chalk paint take to dry?
Usually dry to touch in 30 minutes; ready for a second coat in one hour. Peony Lane Designs
Is Asherfield free to list on?
Yes—we keep only the buyer’s deposit; you get 85 %.
Sources
- Erin Spain, “How to Paint Furniture: A Beginner’s Guide” Erin Spain
- Renovated Faith, “Best Furniture Paint, 2025” Renovated Faith
- Home Depot, Low-VOC Paint Price List The Home Depot
- GrowthRock, Free-Shipping Conversion Case Study (furniture) Growth Rock
- Stampede.ai, Deposits Reduce No-Shows Study stampede.ai
- Airtasker US, Furniture Painting Cost Guide 2025 Airtasker
- The Spruce, Sandpaper vs. Liquid Deglosser The Spruce
- Peony Lane Designs, Chalk Paint Drying Time Peony Lane Designs
- Howard Products, Restor-A-Finish Specs howardproducts.com
- Salvaged Inspirations, Gel Stain Over Existing Finish Salvaged Inspirations
- Sawmill Creek Forum, Wipe-On Poly Dry-Time Discussion Sawmill Creek
- ConvertCart, Image Carousel Optimization (conversion stat) Website
- Architectural Digest, Painting Wood Furniture without Sanding Architectural Digest
- Guardian, Expert Guide to Upcycling Furniture (creativity boosts) theguardian.com
