Rating of the best paints for furniture for 2024

The need to repaint a furniture set usually arises when its appearance no longer suits the owner for various reasons, ranging from a cracked coating to an outdated style. This is where cosmetic restoration of a household item comes in handy. Renewal of the paintwork will not only extend the life of the product, but also bring fresh notes to the overall atmosphere of the home. And if you also pick up a special paint, then it will be possible to qualitatively protect the surface from future accidental mechanical damage.

Furniture paints and areas of their application

Nowadays, there are many paint solutions designed specifically for furniture. It is allowed to apply paint even on top of an existing old layer, or to make an initial application. However, the main principle of coloring furniture products is to achieve the most even application of the paintwork. As a rule, before painting (but not necessarily) it will be necessary to eliminate defects and surface irregularities with a putty, and then sand and prime it.

Based on what paint and varnish material (LMC) will be chosen by the master, at this level the appearance of the entire household item will change. For example, for painting objects from a fine fraction (MDF) in a home environment, it is possible to use nitrocellulose, epoxy or polyurethane paint. These compositions are perfect for both antique and new pieces of furniture set. Similarly, the above paintwork materials are perfectly applied, possibly for objects made of chipboard, and even for those that have been artificially aged.

The variety of effects that are achieved through the use of paints and varnishes opens up a huge field of opportunities for both the amateur designer and the professional interior artist:

• If you apply a colorless varnish in several layers, then the object to be painted will acquire a natural wood color, slightly yellowish.
• It is necessary to completely change the previous color using a special mixture for chipboard, however, the surface structure itself will not change and will be perfectly visible.
• An increase in the degree of gloss is achieved by applying a colorless varnish over an already painted surface, while the main (previous) color will not change at all. Another popular method is the use of glossy paintwork materials for painting wooden objects with a matte surface. It is this method that contributes to a radical change in the appearance of furniture.
• Depending on the chosen coloring composition, as well as in the process of selecting the applied layers, it is possible to obtain a huge variety of variations in the wood surface. For example, if initially the tree had a colorless appearance, then by means of an odorless composition, it can be given the appearance of a certain species: larch or pine. If you increase the color scheme, you can get the color of mahogany or mocha. Obtaining shades of oak, beech or walnut is considered the limit.

Existing varieties

First of all, in the process of finding paintwork materials, one should pay attention to the conditions of its future use, and not be guided by one's own preferences. The main factor will be the type of surface to be processed, because there are separate paintwork materials for wooden and metal furniture. Today, acrylic-based compounds remain the most popular, because they are environmentally friendly in their consistency. This factor allows the paint to be applied in any room. After the liquid has evaporated, an elastic film will appear on the painted surface. And this will happen due to the fact that a special polymer is included in the composition of acrylic mixtures, which ensures high-quality adhesion (adhesion) between the surface and the paint. This is also facilitated by the additionally included fine-texture polyacrylic dye.

Special ingredients are responsible for the degree of gloss and haze. Due to the fact that wood requires special protection, special antibacterial substances are added to the mixture. There are also additives that directly affect the setting time and density of the coloring material.

The undoubted advantage of acrylic material is that it can be easily wiped off. However, this should be done as quickly as possible, before the paint has dried. And all you need is just a sponge dipped in warm water.

Acrylic-based mixtures are almost the only ones that allow moisture to evaporate without letting it pass through. Accordingly, it turns out that the furniture will be able to "breathe" freely. At the same time, there is no difference with what frequency the acrylic mixture will be used, because the applied color will persist for decades to come. In addition, you should not worry about an unpleasant smell after painting - it is either extremely small and quickly disappears, or some samples of acrylic compositions do not have it at all. And this circumstance suggests that acrylic can be painted even in an unventilated room.

Among others, other types of paintwork should also be mentioned:

• Watercolors and gouache - they are unlikely to be suitable for protected painting, but it is possible to decorate furniture with them. It will be better if the background for their use is a layer of another, more stable material. Their main disadvantages include the fact that they are extremely unstable to water and quickly fade in the sun. However, their price is so low that you can safely experiment with them. In any case, after they dry, the created pattern can be covered with a layer of colorless paintwork materials, thereby securing the applied decor.
• Enamels based on organic solvents - in principle, it is even possible to combine them into a special group.This includes all oil paints that are currently considered obsolete. Their service life is no more than three to five years, but at the same time they give the surface a high-quality gloss.
• Automotive enamel (paint in aerosol cans) is perfect for furniture facades. It is worth noting that it should only be applied to metal or plastic products; autoenamel interacts poorly with wood;
• Various varnishes and impregnations are popular due to the fact that they can radically change the appearance of an object. For example, for toning, they are applied to the painted surface, if you need to get some special effect. Impregnations can be nitrocellulose, oil or acrylic, but they must be used only on the wood surface, because they penetrate deeply into the wood structure, thereby providing reliable protection against pests.
• Silicone-based water-based paints do not have an unpleasant odor and with their help it is very convenient to close small cracks. The resulting coating will last for a very long time, even if the headset is in a room with high humidity;
• Latex-based water-based paints are quite comparable to classic oil samples, except that they do not have a pronounced pungent odor. But they have a temperature limitation - they should only be used in warm rooms. In the event of low temperatures, the coating will begin to crack;
• Alkyd paints differ in that they are able to successfully withstand high humidity - this property distinguishes them favorably from water-based compositions. At the same time, it should be noted that their coating will not be durable, since the created film has a thickness of only 0.1 mm.

Additionally, chalk paints should be mentioned - they are used when it is not possible to use acrylic paints. Yet their recipe will include a latex or acrylic base. For chalky compounds, construction grout for narrow joints or gypsum can act as a fixer. In addition, water is added to the chalk composition. As a rule, the proportions of fixer and water are taken on a one-to-one basis, and latex / acrylic is added as needed. The main advantage of chalk samples is their versatility - they adhere (adhere) equally well to any surface, and at that they are of high quality. And besides, it can be used without preliminary surface preparation.

Color matching rules

To successfully paint his furniture, its owner must responsibly choose the future color, given the general style used in the interior of his living space. In the art of design, there are several popular directions and for them you need to use the appropriate types of paintwork.

In general, the following recommendations can be made on this issue:

• It is quite possible to combine Scandinavian style and minimalism into a single group, because both directions are characterized by the predominance of simple lines, coupled with a minimum of unnecessary details and the use of exclusively natural materials. In colors, one should adhere to a special monotony and monochrome, which means avoiding bright contrasts of pastel shades with dark ones and vice versa. When choosing a color, you also need to rely on the shade of the walls.
• The boho style is the exact opposite of the above - it uses the brightest colors. It is even permissible here to specially age the furniture by using the "Shabbi" composition.
• The Mediterranean style involves the use of wenge paint, however, the entire palette should be based on light and calm tones. It is also possible here to stylize the accessories as a rarity.
• Exotic Moroccan style involves the rich use of bright colors, coupled with the creation of a multi-layered texture.
• Industrial style means rough coloring of furniture pieces.Its trademark feature is the use of gray, which emphasizes the presence of a large free space. A light thixotropic coloring mixture is perfect here;
• The Provence style is a complete antagonist of the industrial one - it is closer to the old motives and is characterized by calm pastel colors. If you age the furniture on purpose, it is possible to get a Victorian style, however, to complete it, you will need leather upholstery in light colors.

In addition to the style, the material for the manufacture of interior objects will also play an important role. MDF or plywood are distinguished by their laboriousness in painting, therefore, it is preferable to use effector compositions for painting them. And for plastic items, it is better to use pigmented and thick mixtures.

In addition, you should learn how to use the various staining techniques. If you choose Mediterranean, eclectic or Provence style, the furniture needs to be visually aged. This is done by overlaying multiple layers. The main thing is to wait for the previous layer to dry before applying the next one. You also need to alternately use matte paint in combination with dark wax. The final stage of "aging" will be a small pass over the painted and dried surface with fine sandpaper.

Characteristics and parameters of paintwork materials

There are a lot of properties in paints and varnishes - some are odorless (extremely useful when painting children's rooms), others are convenient to cover chip structures. There are many nuances, but it is potentially necessary to pay close attention to the following:

• Acrylate paints are diluted with water, however, they have good adhesion, so they can even paint chipboard. The result will be no worse than that of alkyd, because upon completion, a wear-resistant film with high-quality adhesion will be formed.
• It is better to apply primer paints after finishing paints - this way the fixation between the finishing composition and the bearing surface will be better.
• Latex samples differ in that although they are diluted with water, they are capable of drying quickly.
• It is worth mentioning that there is a special classification of base paints. The base "A" includes the types used for the manufacture of light colors. The base "C" includes the types used to obtain a dark color (they necessarily include tinting paste). The EP base includes various wood stains and wood protective varnishes.

IMPORTANT! It is possible to find on the market a latex paint that does not require the use of solvents. This means that it will not have any odor. This material is perfect for a child's room or for rooms where people with allergies live.

Formulations suitable for metal

Regardless of the processing method or the chosen type of furniture paint, it is necessary to first prepare the metal surface. Preparation consists in the fact that the metal must be completely cleaned, sanded and coated with a primer with paint. In some cases, it will be preferable to use a spray gun.

Today, you can use several different techniques for painting the metal surfaces of furniture, for example, craquelure. With this method, it is allowed to use almost any paint. First, the metal surface is cleaned with fine sandpaper, and then covered with a coloring compound using a primer. After that, a special substance for cracking is applied on top of the main layer - you need to make sure that it is suitable for the metal. After finishing the formation of the desired effect, this layer is covered with another layer.

It is possible to add some shades of luxury to furniture objects using gilding. To obtain the maximum effect of gilding, the processed material must be completely free of dirt. This is followed by the procedure for high-quality cleaning of the surface with sandpaper and covering it with several layers of paintwork.

Rating of the best paints for furniture for 2024

Acrylic

2nd place: Enamel acrylic mother-of-pearl bronze R-117

This domestic sample is of high quality at a completely budgetary price. The enamel fits perfectly on almost any surface, however, it requires preliminary preparation. More intended for painting artificial objects made of PVC, fiberboard, MDF, chipboard. Extremely grease and stain resistant.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Russia
Packing, liters / kilograms	0.4
Color base	Acrylic
Cost, rubles	250

• Has no unpleasant odor;
• Weatherproof;
• Possesses good adhesion.

• Small packaging volume.

1st place: V33 Decolab ivory

This paint is perfect for painting furniture and interiors in any premises, even where conditions require high humidity (bathrooms) or frequent high temperatures (kitchens). The composition is equally good for use on wood, laminate and melamine, as well as on MDF.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Russia
Packing, liters / kilograms	0.75
Color base	Acrylic
Cost, rubles	880

• It is applied in two layers;
• It is possible to use both a roller and a brush;
• Perfectly withstands wet cleaning.

• Not suitable for painting tiles!

Silicone

2nd place: Tikkurila Novasil silicone

This composition from the world-famous Finnish manufacturer is positioned as a universal tool: it can be used for painting both furniture surfaces and decorative elements that are constantly in the open air. It can also be used as a repair material for filling small cracks.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Finland
Packing, liters / kilograms	2.7
Color base	Silicone modified
Cost, rubles	2500

• Large packing volume;
• Versatility;
• Resistant to various pollution.

• High price.

1st place: VGT IQ 159 self-cleaning silicone paint

This high quality silicone based paint is also versatile. According to the category used in the base, it belongs to the "A" group. After application, the composition forms a hydrophobic vapor-permeable coating, which means increased resistance to moisture. Painted surfaces are easy to clean with water.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Russia
Packing, liters / kilograms	9
Color base	Silicone modified
Cost, rubles	3900

• Extra large capacity;
• Designed specifically for Russian conditions;
• After drying, it forms an even matte finish.

• High price.

Water soluble

2nd place: Tikkurila Pica Techo water-soluble

This coloring agent was recognized as the best in Europe in 2018 in terms of price / quality ratio. However, it is more focused on painting objects made of wood; on plastic or metal, it is not sure. Requires a multi-layer coating. The drying speed of each layer is up to 4 hours.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Finland
Packing, liters / kilograms	0.225
Color base	Oil-soluble
Cost, rubles	490

• Good value for money;
• Low consumption;
• Possibility of repair painting.

• Narrow specialization;
• Multiple coats required;
• Very small container capacity.

1st place: Dulux Domus Aqua semi-matte water-soluble

This domestic composition was loved by buyers for its ease of use - depending on the degree of dilution with water, both a brush and a roller can be used for painting. The paint adheres confidently to the surface to be painted, however, it is difficult to use it as a repair material.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Russia
Packing, liters / kilograms	0.225
Color base	Oil-soluble
Cost, rubles	680

• The ability to use different tools;
• Actual price for sales volume;
• Easy to handle.

• Has a slight persistent odor that requires long-term weathering.

Transparent

2nd place: KRONA Aqualak colorless

A special decorative paint and varnish material specially designed for fixing various patterns and visual decorations on furniture. It can also be used as a protective layer for gilding. Not recommended for use in rooms with high humidity.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Russia
Packing, liters / kilograms	3
Color base	Lacquer colorless
Cost, rubles	720

• Good fixing base;
• Excellent adhesion to the previous paint coat;
• The ability to work with gilding.

• Afraid of moisture.

1st place: BELINKA LATEX B3 on a transparent base

This sample is characterized by the establishment of an extremely strong layer upon drying. Although the original base is colorless, tinting can be achieved with the help of special ingredients. Supplied only in bulk containers. Can be used as an anchor layer.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Poland
Packing, liters / kilograms	10
Color base	Latex colorless
Cost, rubles	120000

• Multifunctionality;
• Bulk container;
• Possibility of tinting.

• Very expensive price (more than 1200 rubles per 1 kg)

Organic

2nd place: Universal stain HOLZFARBE TM L006 / XXX

Specially oriented stain for special effects work on wood furniture. By adding additives to the composition, it is possible to achieve different colors - from light larch to dark oak. Of the shortcomings, only the need to work in a respirator can be noted.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Germany
Packing, liters / kilograms	0.5
Color base	Stain
Cost, rubles	600

• Can be applied with a spray gun or roller;
• It is used for products of complex design;
• Possesses versatility.

• Small container volume.

1st place: Organic powder dye MICROTON

An extremely rare and highly specialized specimen. It is positioned as a material for the work of professional designers. Designed for drawing pictures on the surface of furniture. Before starting work, requires stirring and a thickener. Upon completion of the drawing, the resulting decor, after drying, must be covered with a protective colorless layer.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Turkey
Packing, liters / kilograms	1.5
Color base	Watercolor
Cost, rubles	1600

• Paintwork materials for professional work;
• Large packing volume;
• Guaranteed quality.

• Requires a protective layer.

Latex

2nd place: DecoTech Eco interior

An environmentally friendly product that does not have an unpleasant odor. Specially designed for painting furniture in rooms where children or people with allergies are. Thanks to its latex base, it can be used as a repair material.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Russia
Packing, liters / kilograms	1.6
Color base	Latex
Cost, rubles	200

• Environmental Safety;
• Possibility of applying by roller and spray;
• Fire and explosion proof.

• Not found (for its segment).

1st place: Lacra, latex interior washable 4603292012636

The mixture was produced according to German technologies, however, the manufacturer did not overcharge the price for the quality composition. Can be applied by roller or brush. The objects to be processed do not even require careful preparation. The lineup has a huge color palette.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Russia
Packing, liters / kilograms	6.5
Color base	Latex
Cost, rubles	700

• Excellent adhesion;
• Application variability;
• Actual price with sufficient volume.

• Not identified (for its own row).

Instead of an epilogue

The analysis of the market shows that there is no big gap in prices between Internet sites and the retail network. Therefore, the question of where to buy is entirely at the discretion of the buyer. However, it should be mentioned that it is still preferable to purchase large volumes via the Internet. It is also worth bathing expensive types of paintwork materials, such as acrylic or silicone.