We are nearing the completion of a massive renovation project in our home. While working on our son’s baseball-themed bedroom, we ran across a fantastic shade of blue—Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore. Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy will be the color of the focal wall in his bedroom. My wheels started to turn. I love this gorgeous navy shade and this rattan coffee table. What if I paired them together? I already had the Hale Navy paint sitting in the garage, so I decided this would be a perfect match. This paint color will give this old piece of furniture a more modern look. I can’t wait to see this one.

This time I decided to switch this up a bit, though. I LOVE chalk paint. It is so easy to use—almost no way to mess it up. I did say almost!! I wanted a smooth finish on this table since it has more intricate details. So I turned my paint sprayer into a chalk paint sprayer. Chalk painting a coffee table with a paint sprayer speeds up the project and gives a better finish.

materials needed to Chalk Paint the Coffee Table:

1. Cleaning solution (water-vinegar mixture of TSP cleaner)

2. Screwdriver or drill

3. Tarp

4. Chalk paint

5. Paintbrush

6. Foam paint roller

7. Paint sprayer

8. Matte Polyurethane

As you can see, this coffee table is quite detailed. While I love the look of stripped furniture in its natural state, this piece would take more time to strip the stain than I was willing to invest. It also was very traditional, and I was looking for a more modern painted coffee table. With the rattan, chalk painting the coffee table would highlight the texture and bring out the natural hues on top.

Prepare your piece to refinish before chalk painting.

Even though chalk paint usually does not require sanding the surface to prep it, I like to take that extra step to ensure a great bond between the chalk paint and the furniture. I used 150 sandpaper to give a quick scuff sand to the whole piece before proceeding. I used a microfiber rag to wipe the piece free of dust before cleaning.

There are store-bought products, such as TSP, but a homemade cleaning solution of water, vinegar, and blue dawn dish soap work well if you don’t have that available. I use a 1-to-1 ratio of water and vinegar with just a couple of drops of soap. Make sure to get all the exposed surfaces of the entire table clean. Paint will not stick to dirt, grime, or grease, so preparing your piece first by cleaning it is crucial.

Since this was a rattan coffee table, I had to see how I would paint around the rattan. Taping this would be a pain. I looked under and found that I could remove the rattan insert with a few screws, which created a blank canvas to paint the crest of the coffee table. I removed the glass top and started to work (more about this later). This allowed me to paint the entire piece without having to tape anything! That’s always a great thing!

Ready! Let’s Chalk paint this coffee table blue!

The beauty of chalk paint on furniture makeover projects is that furniture pieces like this coffee table can be transformed quickly. There is very little prep work required. No primer on this one!

Chalk painting this coffee table was a straightforward job once I removed the rattan. Before painting, I used a tarp under the furniture to keep my driveway free of overspray. My driveway has a few paint shades from previous projects. Oops. Thankfully, those were all lighter colors that blend, but I knew Hale Navy paint would stick out like a sore thumb on the driveway.

Chalk Painting the coffee table blue

I decided to spray this piece to avoid brush strokes and give it a professional finish.

If using homemade chalk paint, now is the time to mix it up; otherwise, thin the chalk paint appropriately and add the store-bought chalk paint to the tank of the paint spray gun.

With my paint sprayer, I have to thin the paint out more than if I was rolling or using a paint brush. I found that 1/4 cup of water is sufficient to get the right consistency.

When painting with a chalk paint sprayer, use long sweeps from side to side. This technique will ensure good coverage, and an even coat is applied. Avoid over-spraying the same area as it could result in paint that does not dry evenly and leaves an orange peel-looking finish. It’s better for your coats to have a little paint than too much paint. I gave this rattan coffee table 3 coats of Hale Navy paint in an eggshell finish.

After my first coat of paint, I used 200 grit sandpaper for a light sanding. Again, I sanded after the second coat of paint as well.

Tip: There are many different chalk paint brands that you can purchase. I’ve used homemade chalk paint on various projects such as this one. I’ve included the recipe for my own chalk paint below in this post.

How to seal the Blue Chalk Paint Coffee Table

The final finish needs to be as smooth as possible, so I decided to run polyurethane, as the top coat, through the paint sprayer. I allowed a couple of hours for the coffee table to dry. Once the blue chalk paint was dry, I sprayed four coats of polyurethane on the navy blue coffee table to seal it.

What finish of Poly Do You Use?

I prefer a matte poly on most chalk paint furniture makeovers I’ve completed. It gives a nice sealed finish to chalk-painted pieces of furniture, especially.

Note: The poly was still drying in this picture. There was a wet spot on the table closest to where I was standing.  Once dry, it’s time for the glass. Welp, that would be a nice way to finish this table, but we ran into an issue. Well, actually, one of my daughters did the running…right into the glass leaning against the wall. BAM, there goes the coffee table glass.

The piece still looks amazing. We just rolled without the glass. It looked good as is, and I didn’t want to add any extra cost to this project.

Can you use chalk paint in a sprayer?

I can’t answer for every paint sprayer brand, but most (HVLP) high volume, low-pressure sprayers should handle chalk paint. The chalk paint may not need to be thinned before painting, depending on the sprayer’s brand, price point, and features. I thin the chalk paint a bit for my paint sprayer before adding it to the tank to ensure the chalk paint sprays evenly without clumps or drips for a nice smooth finish.

How do I make Homemade chalk paint?

The recipe I’ve always used for DIY chalk paint is 1 cup of paint, 1/3 cup of water, and 1/3 cup of Plaster of Paris. This mixture provides a nice consistency for the chalk paint and gives excellent coverage.

If you want more information on chalk paint options that can be purchased, check out chalk paint best brands.

Is it better to use a paint sprayer or brush for furniture?

All depends! Before going out and buying a paint sprayer, I’d ask myself how often I’d use it. I had previously purchased a cheap sprayer that was not useful at all. If you are going to use a paint sprayer, look for a high-volume, low-pressure sprayer. Sometimes, it is quicker and easier for small projects to break out the brush or roller than set up and clean the paint sprayer. A paint sprayer will give you a smoother and more professional finish, but a brush or roller can also do the job.

Can I use chalk paint on a coffee table?

YES! Chalk paint is so easy, and it is very durable. It’s almost impossible to mess up your chalk paint project. Make sure to seal it since coffee tables usually get a lot of use from decorations to people using them as a foot prop. Make sure to protect its surface!

Do you have to sand before using chalk paint?

NO! It isn’t necessary. You can apply chalk paint directly over a clean surface in most cases. This feature makes chalk paint so easy and appealing to most DIYers. If you prefer to sand first, a quick scratch sand on the surface is sufficient.

Don’t be afraid of refinishing furniture. DIY furniture makeovers are a highly cost-effective way of updating any room. Pick a piece of furniture that can transform your space. Pinterest is a great place to discover project ideas if you aren’t sure where to start.

More Chalk Paint Makeovers

• Chalk Painted End Tables
• 15 chalk paint furniture ideas

More Refinish Furniture with Paint Tutorials:

• 80’s Dresser Makeover Guide
• Painted Mid-Century Dresser 
• How to Paint a Nightstand

I would love to see what projects you take on!!

The post A complete guide of How to Chalk Paint a Coffee Table appeared first on How To Refinish Furniture.

OK, here’s a question: Have you looked for anything on Facebook Marketplace and wondered why in the world people don’t take better pictures when trying to sell something. Honestly, we have seen pictures with crumbled-up fast-food wrappers, old baby bottles, dirty clothes, and even one with a guy taking a picture of the mirror for sale with his reflection showing him in his underwear.

Are you freaking kidding me? What in the world?

I chalk-painted one end table black for our family room, leaving us with an extra side table. As I looked through my paints to choose a color, I turned this beauty into a chalk painted green side table. I had a great shade of green-gray in the garage that would be perfect for this table. The color I found was London by Heirloom Traditions All In One Paint. This Heirloom Traditions Paint is a trendy green shade with a gray splash.

This end table made a great DIY project.

Supplies needed for chalk painted end tables

Something to clean the end table with (DIY cleaning solution or TSP)

Heirloom Traditions All In One paint

Drop cloth

Paint sprayer or natural chalk paint brushes which are needed with chalk paint

Heirloom Traditions All In One paint

Heirloom Traditions All In One paint is a great concept and one of my favorite paints. It is a chalk-style paint that does not require any sanding. The paint has a unique binding primer that will even let it stick to slick surfaces. Another great feature of the paint is its built-in self-leveler, which gives you the smoothest finish possible. Lastly, the paint has a built-in exterior grade sealer, so there is no need to seal your project.

Follow along for a step-by-step tutorial of how we transformed this cherry end table into a beautiful chalk painted green accent table.

Get ready for chalk painted end tables

This project was simple. There was no hardware, drawers, or significant scratches. With Heirloom Traditions All In One Paint, the only prep needed was to thoroughly clean the entire surface of any girt, grime, or surface oils to ensure good adherence by the paint. I used a mixture of vinegar and water, but you can also use THC cleaner. The ratio I use is 1-to-1 with a couple of blue Dawn dish soap drops.

Tip: Give every surface area a good spray with a mister bottle and thoroughly wipe the piece clean. Make sure the furniture is dust free as this will hinder a smooth finish.

Bring on the chalk paint! Let’s turn this cherry stain end table into chalk painted end table

I sprayed the Heirloom Traditions paint rather than using a brush or roll. Even though the paint has a self-leveler, I wanted to make sure there were no brush strokes. I added approximately 1/2 to 1 ounce of water to about 8 to 9 ounces of paint to prepare it for my paint sprayer. Once I had a perfect consistency, I began to spray.

The end table immediately showed a great transition to the London color due to the binding primer. This paint has such unique qualities that made this table a simple project. If spraying, try not to finish the table in one coat. The first coat should have excellent coverage, but it is just a base coat. I gave everything a light sand between coats. After the second coat of paint, the Heirloom Traditions paint, this table was done. How great is it to not use any sealer or top coat on this table?

If you apply a clear wax, I suggest a lint-free cloth or medium waxing brush for application. Use a clean rag to wipe down the wax after it has had time to dry. The recommendation is 24 hours, but I cannot wait that long. I’ve got four kids and run a business from my home with my wife. I don’t have that kind of time!! I can’t operate in slow cooker time…microwave man right here.

What is chalk paint?

Heirloom Traditions All In One Paint is chalk-type paint. Chalk paint is made with an additive that allows it to go on with no prep work other than cleaning. It provides excellent coverage, durability, and a beautiful velvety look.

You don’t have to regular seal chalk paint; however, I recommend sealing it with a finishing wax or polyurethane topcoat.

There are some great chalk paints to purchase, or you can make your own. You can find out more about these in Chalk Paint Best Brands.

Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe

My recipe for homemade chalk paint has served me well over the years. I use 1 cup of matte paint, 1/3 cup of water, and 1/3 cup of plaster of Paris. If running it through a paint sprayer, you may need to add more water. I have found that about 10% extra water gives my paint sprayer the right consistency to spray effectively without glops of paint.

I love chalk paint. Chalk paint is, in my opinion, the most accessible paint to use. Don’t be afraid. It is virtually impossible to mess it up.

Can you spray Heirloom Traditions ALl IN One Paint?

Absolutely.  Spraying your project with a paint sprayer will give it a professional finish without a brush or roller marks. Heirloom Traditions paint works perfectly in a paint sprayer. You may need to add a little water to thin out the paint. I used my sprayer and had great success on this green side table.

Disclosure: Heirloom Traditions website FAQs state they do not recommend sprayers, but many choose to use them successfully.

What kind of paint do you use for end tables?

The ball is in your court. You can use any paint you desire. The main question is what look you are trying to achieve. As I’ve said, I love chalk paint. It can be left matte or satin by adding a wax or poly topcoat. Chalk-painted end tables are a fantastic starter project due to the finish options’ ease of use and versatility.

Other paint options include oil, latex, or acrylic paint. Pick the sheen from flat or matte to gloss. In addition to paint, there are many additional techniques to finish and seal furniture. I’ve listed a few options below.

• antique with a dark wax
• distress with sandpaper
• weathering wood with ammonia and steel wool
• whitewash, bleaching, and the list goes on

chalk painted End table ideas?

Stripping or painting side tables is a great way to give them a fresh makeover. Chalk paint is one of the simplest paints to work with, especially for DIY beginners. You’ll find a wide variety of chalk paint options to create any look from farmhouse, country, modern, etc. Since chalk paint covers old stains and paints, you can transform furniture you might otherwise get rid of and make it look brand new.

Aren’t ready to paint? Restyle your end table

If you don’t want to get involved with painting, there are much quicker and easier ways to give your piece a makeover by styling with fresh decor. Depending on the season, you can change out candles. Add a small plant. Stack a couple of books on the side tables. Get nostalgic and find books that have meaning to you or your family. We have books on hobbies we enjoy, birthplaces, and our current hometown. Purchase some new coasters. Paint your lamp a different color or swap the lampshade for a different look. Have fun and be adventurous.

What I used to style the end table –

1. Greenery – Target
2. Vase – HomeGoods
3. Books – Goodwill
4. Candlesticks – Goodwill (spray painted them gold)
5. Wood Beads Garland – Target Dollar Stop

The chalk painted end tables look amazing. The color is fantastic, and the finish is smooth and velvety as advertised. I’ll be posting a tutorial of the other end table soon. The black gave it a different vibe. Refinishing your furniture is a great way to freshen up your space on a budget. Buy new? No way. Just refinish what you have!

Let me see your projects. I hope you find motivation from my projects and dive right in!!

More Chalk Painted Furniture Projects:

• Blue Coffee Table Makeover (the rattan accents are amazing!
• 40 Chalk Paint Furniture Ideas

The post Chalk Painted End Tables appeared first on How To Refinish Furniture.

What is chalk paint?

Chalk paint was created by Annie Sloan and has a very smooth texture, looks modern yet vintage, and is incredibly easy to use. Because of the ease of use, chalk paint has become a trendy finish for most DIYers. This decorative paint has a chalky matte finish that is easy to distress. Rarely does a project need any preparations other than cleaning before applying paint. No sanding or priming? Count me in!!

Check out this incredible chalk-painted furniture makeover from a traditional cherry finish to a stunning blue coffee table with rattan.

What kind of chalk paint is best?

There are many fantastic brands of chalk paint. The answer to this question may not be the best chalk paint, but what kind of chalk paint is quickly available when needed. I decide on many furniture refinishing projects off the cuff if you’re anything like me. So, frequently, due to my waiting until the last minute, I grab what is in my garage or what I can find at a local store.

That said, there are a handful of chalk paint brands that I do recommend. Here is my list of the best chalk paint brand options.

Annie Sloan chalk paint

Annie Sloan developed chalk paint in 1990. As the inventor of chalk paint, the name and products carry a lot of weight with DIYers and professionals. Annie Sloan has 42 different colors of chalk paint. Many of these colors are very popular and sell fast. The biggest drawback of the brand is cost and finding a local retailer in your area. Depending on where you live, it could be tough to get your hands on this excellent chalk paint. The closest retailer to me is about 30 minutes away. One liter of Annie Sloan chalk paint, which is a little over 33 ounces for comparative purposes, is currently priced at $42.99.

In my experience, I have found that Annie Sloan chalk paint gives a rough feeling finish to the furniture and is thicker than other brands. I don’t think it is worth the price, but many people prefer it due to its popularity.

heirloom traditions all-in-one paint

Heirloom Traditions Paint is an online retailer of chalk paint. The company was founded by a commercial interior designer who wanted the products to focus on the painter and make the painting process as simple as possible. Products are water-based, non-toxic, and have low VOC. Besides cleaning to remove surface oils, it doesn’t require preparation of the furniture, such as stripping or sanding. The exception is painting over previously painted surfaces that are peeling or chipping as they need to be sanded until the surface is smooth. Available in 29 fabulous colors and different size options from 8 oz to a galloon, Heirloom Traditions brand is a primer, paint, and an exterior grade sealer in one. Many people use this brand due to its durability.

Type of Finish: low luster matte sheen with a buttery smooth feel

Protective Top Coat: An exterior grade sealer is already built in the paint, so no additional sealant is needed.

Price Point: A 32 oz can is priced at $24.95.

Tip: They believe in their product so much that they are currently offering a free sample. Just pay for shipping. If you have the time to order online and wait for delivery, this is an excellent option for your next project. I noticed a pop-up on the website offering a discount when signing up for texts and emails.

For a gorgeous transformation, I used Heirloom Traditions All-In-One on this chalk-painted end tables project.

Rust-Oleum Chalked Ultra Matte Paint

Rust-Oleum Chalked Ultra Matte Paint is a mass-produced paint that can be ordered online or picked up at your local big-box home improvement retailer. This product’s color selection is much smaller; however, the colors available are quite trendy. This chalk paint is a solid option with a MUCH lower price point, and it’s available to order on Amazon, which is a huge bonus. You can also find aerosol spray cans of Rust-Oleum. It is also easier to get your hands on locally if you wait until the last minute like someone I know.

Type of Finish: Velvety soft matte

Protective Coat: Top with Chalk Matte clear coat for protection and durability

Price point: A 30oz can is anywhere from a little over $19 to almost $25. A 12 oz spray aerosol can is $9.98

Behr Premium Chalk Decorative Paint

Behr Chalk Decorative Paint offers more flexibility in color choices. There are only a handful of premixed colors, but the great news about this product is that it is tintable. This feature opens up almost the entire spectrum of colors available. Have a favorite color you found on Pinterest? Home Depot can pull it up in their computers for custom-ordered chalk paint. It is hard to beat this option. With very little surface preparation required, you’ll need to follow up the velvety chalk-painted surface with wax, also available from Behr,  for a protective finish. Behr chalk decorative is available in four of the most popular colors in a spray paint aerosol.

Type of Finish: Dead flat sheen smooth

Protective Top Coat: A protective topcoat is recommended to seal the finish. Behr Chalk Decorative paint is a 2 part paint and wax system.

Price Point: A 32 oz can of Behr is currently priced at $19.98. A 12 oz aerosol can is $6.98

DIY Chalk Paint

If all else fails, make chalk paint yourself. Yep, you can make this paint, and it is easy and affordable. The beauty of making it yourself is you are in total control of the color and the consistency of the product. There are many different ways to make chalk paint; my recipe is as follows. Grab a quart of paint plus primer in your color of choice in a flat or eggshell finish. I prefer to use paint and primer in one as pictured above, but this particular brand is not necessary. Add 1 cup of paint, 1/3 cup of Plaster of Paris, and 1/3 cup of water. Stir the paint mixture together really well and…boom! You have your DIY chalk paint.

Type of Finish: Smooth matte or eggshell, depending on the paint.

Protective Top Coat: Seal with a furniture wax or a clear matte poly. I don’t recommend using poly on surfaces that have been chalk painted a light color as it can cause it to be yellow.

Price point: 1 quart of paint + primer $9.98 (Home Depot Glidden Diamond Interior Paint) + Plaster of Paris $9.98 (available in a 4lb box)
* The quart of paint pictured is a bit more expensive at $19.98 per gallon, but there are cheaper options like the one listed above.

I used my homemade DIY chalk paint to makeover this stunning blue coffee table with rattan accents.

Should chalk paint be sealed?

Chalk paint doesn’t have to be sealed, but I prefer a protective topcoat. It will have an ultra-matte look and velvety feet if you do not seal it. However, I would suggest sealing chalk paint. The best way to seal chalk paint is with a finishing wax. A few options are Jolie Finishing Wax or BB Frosch Premium Finishing Wax. The clear wax will liven up the color and give it a little shine. You can control the amount of shine by how much you buff the wax after application and dry time.

How many coats of chalk paint?

Often you can get away with one coat of chalk paint. Potentially no sanding, priming, and just one coat! Lighter colors may require two coats, while lighter colors might only need one. Here is a helpful tip…The thicker the chalk paint, the better coverage.

Do I have to sand before using chalk paint?

Most of the time, NO! Most of the time, the only sanding is to correct any irregularities in the wood you would like not to be visible once the project is complete or if any visible areas are chipped.

Is chalk paint good for furniture?

No, it’s not good; It’s incredible for furniture! No sanding, priming, and one coat. Chalk paint is the most simple and efficient way to paint furniture. It is almost impossible to mess up using chalk paint. Don’t be afraid. Chalk paint will hide most mistakes you may make.

I hope my list of chalk paint best brands is helpful. Chalk paint is a simple and beautiful option for most pieces of furniture. There are numerous applications and many brands to choose from.

If your furniture needs stripping, check out how to strip furniture with easy off.

The post Chalk Paint Best Brands: Top 5 Picks appeared first on How To Refinish Furniture.