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Why Paint Furniture Black?
Black furniture paint is a great way to update your home decor on a budget. It is clean, classic, and never goes out of style. Plus, it is the perfect color to use when painting furniture because it can go with any color scheme. If you’re looking for an easy way to update your pieces, then coats of black paint are the way to go.
Black is a Staple in Decorating
Using a black color in your decorating is needed in almost every room. It’s one of those insider tips that designers swear by. The color black has this incredible ability to anchor a space, offering a visual “resting spot” for the eye. The result? Every other color in the room pops with vibrancy and depth!
Black furniture is not only stylish, but it also serves as a versatile canvas for experimentation. By playing with textures and patterns, one can create depth and interest in a room that would otherwise fall flat. A plush velvet chair in ebony adds a touch of opulence to the living room, while a matte black dresser with intricate carvings brings character to any room. The possibilities are endless, and the results are always striking.
Black Painted Furniture is Classic
But black furniture isn’t just about looks. It’s also practical and easy to maintain. Unlike lighter colors that show every stain or ding, black can hide imperfections and scratches easily. This makes it a great option for high-traffic areas or households with pets and children. Plus, its neutral color allows it to seamlessly blend in with a variety of decor styles, from modern and minimalistic to bohemian and eclectic.
So, whether you’re looking to add a statement piece with a touch of sophistication to your home or want a versatile furniture option that can withstand the demands of everyday life, black furniture is a no-brainer. With its timeless appeal and practicality, it’s the perfect choice
The other great thing about black painted furniture is the ability to move the pieces around in your home and not get stuck with a bold trendy color that went out of style. It is much easier to use trendy colors in your pillows, throws, or decorative accessories and stick to clean classic colors for your furniture pieces.
Black painted furniture is a trend that will never go out of style. It can be rustic with a distressed look, it can be modern with a smooth finish, it can be ornate, it can be luxurious. It can be whatever style and trend you need it to be. That is why it can make a simple update to furniture.
#1 Reason for Painting Furniture Black – Bleed Through
The #1 reason I choose to paint furniture black is to hide paint bleed-through. Paint bleed-through is the nasty thing that can happen when painting furniture with light colors and not taking extra precautions to prevent it.
The oil tannins from the wood furniture, surface to the top and bleed through most water-based paints. If using black furniture paint, you will not have to prime the furniture with an oil-based stain-blocking primer. The black paint covers up any paint bleed-through that may happen.
When I have an old dark-stained piece and I think it might have bleed-through, I automatically choose to paint it black.
Watch this video on how to highlight black paint with dry brushing
Black Furniture Paint is Easy to Use
Black furniture paint is easier to work with over white and many other colors. White and light colors sometimes will need more coats of paint for the same amount of coverage as black paint.
If you are looking for a clean and classic look with no distressing black is easier and more forgiving. You won’t see all the brush marks or imperfections when using black paint. The lighter the color the more the furniture flaws stand out and also the imperfections in your paint job, like paint brush marks.
Do you need some help in eliminating brush marks? Check out this free guide to help in achieving a smoother finish without the paintbrush marks.
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Best Black Paint for Furniture
There are so many options in choosing the perfect black furniture paint. It can be overwhelming since there are so many different brands and types of paint. If you need help in choosing the best type of paint to use on furniture, stop over to read “How to choose the best type of furniture paint.”
Here is the list of the best paint and my favorites:
- The best black mineral paint is Lamp Black, by General Finishes, which is perfect for spraying.
- My favorite black chalk paint is Liquorice, as this one has a great consistency without being too thick and provides great coverage.
- A great black milk paint is pitch black. Milk paint distresses easily and is smooth to the touch with light sanding.
Best Supplies for Painting Furniture Black
The supplies you use to paint furniture are just as important as the paint. After many years of painting furniture, with much trial and error, I have figured out what supplies work the best for me to get the job done with the best results and the least amount of hassle.
Here are my favorite furniture painting supplies:
- A good quality paintbrush is a MUST. My top picks are Zibra and Cling-On. Both offer different styles of brushes that are great for painting any piece of furniture or accessories. A great quality paintbrush is key to eliminating brush strokes.
- A 4-inch concave foam roller is perfect for painting the flat surfaces on the furniture.
- I prefer to spray my paint, so I highly recommend this Wagner paint sprayer that I use. If you don’t want to invest that much, try out this handheld model.
- Sanding is not required for all furniture painting. Most times you can easily sand my hand, however, if you paint more than 1 piece, I recommend the SurfPrep Sander. It has made my sanding so much easier.
How to Paint Furniture Black
Of course, there is a lot that goes into painting furniture. And that same applies to black painted furniture. You must take the necessary steps to properly prep the furniture before you begin to paint. Each piece of furniture requires different prep work based on its condition before painting.
Here are the steps to painting furniture.
- Repair any broken or damaged furniture pieces.
- Prep may include sanding, stripping, cleaning, and priming.
- Paint using the proper tools for applying the paint and apply light coats of paint, allowing the entire piece to thoroughly dry before applying the second coat of paint.
- Apply a sealer of your choice such as wax or water-based topcoats.
For a more in-depth tutorial on how to paint furniture, get this FREE Furniture Painting Guide.
Furniture Painting Guide
- Learn the basics and more about how to paint furniture
- Discover how to find furniture and inspiration
- Tips for painting, sealing, and glazing
- Learn steps to get started along with my favorite products and tools
Black painted furniture is a classic look that will never go out of style. It’s versatile and easy to use, making it a great option for anyone who wants to give their home a quick makeover. It hides imperfections and blemishes which will be much less noticeable than with other colors. Ready to try painting your own furniture and need more help? Check out these other great posts or my video training workshops
- Insider Furniture Painting Tips and Tricks
- Online Furniture Painting Workshops
- How to buy second-hand furniture
- Painted Furniture Pinterest Board
- More Black Furniture Makeovers
DeDe Bailey
DeDe Bailey is the artistic mastermind behind Designed Décor and The Puzzle Table. With a rich background in home décor retail, she has transformed her website into a platform driven by a profound passion for helping individuals craft spaces they adore. As a self-taught furniture painting artist and thrift decorator, she loves sharing her knowledge and empowering others to beautify their homes through furniture painting and thrifting. When she isn’t sharing her wisdom on the Designed Décor blog, DeDe is occupied with showcasing her ingenious jigsaw puzzle table design and expanding her short-term rental located in NE Ohio.
Get your FREE ELIMINATE BRUSH MARKS GUIDE => How to Eliminate paint brush marks
Bobbi miller says
I’m so excited to see your posts..ideas..etc. I have a few pieces that I needed some ideas about. You’ve already inspired me to try “black”. Thanks!
Designed Decor says
Hi Bobbi, So glad you have found some inspirations!