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to preserve its natural appearance. Stain penetrates the wood, rather than sitting on top of it, and it allows you to see the natural grain in the wood. It's a good option if you want to keep the look of the wood but you don't like the exact shade. If you want to stain the wood, you'll need to strip it first. Acrylic paint is a good option for most furniture pieces because it adheres to most surfaces and is available in a wide range of shades. As it dries, it levels out to a smooth finish, so it doesn't show brush marks as much as some other paints might. Acrylic paint has an eggshell finish, also called a satin finish, meaning it has a little shine once it dries, but not much. Acrylic can be used to paint wood, metal, and plastic furniture. It can even be used to decorate glass, so if you have a table with a glass top, you can use one color on the legs, then use another color to paint a design directly on the glass. Latex paint is commonly used for painting walls, so it's affordable and easy to find. However, while it bonds well to unfinished wood, it may not be as durable on other surfaces, even if you prepped the furniture properly. Latex paint comes in a full range of finishes, from flat to glossy. Chalkboard paint has a chalky, matte finish, and it's a great way to add a trendy look to an old piece of furniture. It dries quickly, so use light, thin coats to avoid leaving brush strokes. Chalk paint will adhere to almost any surface, even if it's very glossy. You can paint wood, plastic, metal, stone, glass, and more, making it a versatile option for furniture. Chalkboard paint is great for creating a distressed look. After it dries, lightly rough it up with a piece of 220-grit sandpaper. Focus especially around the edges or handles, where wear would naturally occur. The only limit to the color you choose is your own imagination! Match the paint color to the other decorations in the room, or choose a unique color to make the piece stand out. When you're choosing the color, think about the proportion of the furniture to the room it's in. A bright or bold color on a very large piece of furniture can be overwhelming. Consider painting a large bookshelf the same color as the walls in your room to help it blend in. Primary colors are perfect for a kids' room! Elegant colors like cream and gold are a beautiful option for painted furniture in a more formal setting.
Stain the wood Use acrylic paint for a smooth finish on most projects. Choose latex paint for unfinished wood projects. Opt for chalkboard paint for a super-matte, modern look. Be creative with the color.