Fresh paint can rescue a chipped dresser or give that tired IKEA bookcase a bold 2025 color in one lazy Saturday. Follow the five quick steps below, see real-world cost ranges, and learn why listing the finished piece on Asherfield—where buyers drop a 15 % deposit first—lets you pocket the remaining 85 percent on pickup or delivery.
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Why repaint instead of replace?
- Hiring a pro costs $200 – $500 per item on average. DIY paint jobs often total $70 – $120 in supplies Airtasker.
- Liquid deglossers (a.k.a. “liquid sandpaper”) dull glossy coats in minutes and cost under $10, saving hours of sanding The Spruce.
- High-quality photos of freshly painted furniture can lift online conversion up to 15% Anchanto.
- Refinishing keeps wood out of landfills and conserves trees, slashing the energy used to make new furniture Silvertree Refinishing.
Tool kit (all low-VOC options)
| Item | Typical cost | Why you need it |
|---|---|---|
| Bonding primer | $12 | Sticks to slick, pre-painted surfaces |
| Liquid deglosser | $8 | Replaces sanding on glossy finishes The Spruce |
| Low-VOC latex or chalk paint | $30-$55 / gal | Safe indoors; huge color range The Home Depot |
| Foam roller + angled brush | $6 | Smooth coats, no streaks Erin Spain |
| Water-based polyurethane | $10 | Quick-dry seal; wipes on |
Five-step repaint process (≈ 2 hours active time)
- Clean & remove hardware – Mild soap + water; dry well Erin Spain.
- Degloss – Wipe liquid deglosser over the old paint; wait 10 min The Spruce.
- Prime – Roll on bonding primer; dries in 30 min for most brands .
- Paint – Two thin coats of low-VOC paint; touch-dry in 30 min Coohom.
- Seal – Wipe on polyurethane; two coats, two hours apart, cure in 72 h .
Color tip: Earthy oxblood and mocha hues dominate 2025 décor trends—great for premium flips Better Homes & Gardens.
Cost & profit snapshot
| Path | Out-of-pocket | Typical resale bump | Net gain on Asherfield* |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY repaint kit | $70-$120 | +$150-$250 value | $97-$213 (85 % payout) |
| Pro shop repaint | $200-$500 | value baked into fee | — |
*Assumes buyer covers local pickup/delivery.
Flip it on Asherfield (keep 85 %)
- Serious buyers only — 15 % deposit slashes no-shows Reddit.
- Fast payout — collect the other 85 % at hand-off.
- Free-delivery badge — raised conversions 19 % in a furniture case study Growth Rock.
- Zero listing fee — posts go live in minutes; edit price anytime.
Pro tip: fold delivery cost into price; buyers value convenience more than a small markup.
Internal links
- Furniture painting price guide – detailed labor & paint costs
- How to paint wood furniture – full beginner tutorial
- Furniture refinishing cost – national averages
- Refinish furniture without stripping – gel shortcut
- Furniture upcycling business – turn your hobby into income
- Back to the upcycling furniture pillar
FAQ
Do I have to sand first?
No—liquid deglosser plus bonding primer makes sanding optional The Spruce.
Best paint for durability?
Low-VOC urethane enamels resist chips; expect $52+ per gallon The Home Depot.
How long before use?
Light use after 24 h; full cure in 72 h .
Is listing on Asherfield free?
Yes—Asherfield only keeps the buyer’s 15 % deposit; you receive 85 %.
Sources
- Airtasker, Furniture Painting Cost Guide (Mar 25 2025) Airtasker
- Erin Spain, How to Paint Furniture – A Beginner’s Guide Erin Spain
- Home Depot, Low-VOC Interior Paint Prices The Home Depot
- GrowthRock, Free-Shipping Case Study (Furniture) Growth Rock
- Reddit r/FacebookMarketplace, Deposit Best Practices (Apr 2025) Reddit
- Anchanto, High-Quality Images Boost Sales (Dec 2024) Anchanto
- The Spruce, Pros & Cons of Sandpaper vs. Liquid Deglosser The Spruce
- Coohom, Trending Furniture Paint Colors 2024 (Mar 2025) Coohom
- SilverTree Refinishing, Environmental Benefits of Wood Refinishing (Sept 2023) Silvertree Refinishing
- Architectural Digest, Painted Furniture Ideas & Inspiration Architectural Digest
- Better Homes & Gardens, 2025 Color Trend: Oxblood (May 2025) Better Homes & Gardens
- The Spruce, Best Paints for Furniture (2024)
- Family Handyman, Water-Based Poly Dry Times (2024)
- ConvertCart, Image Carousel Conversion Stats (2024)
