30 Unique DIY Chalk Painted Furniture Ideas to Try

These stunning DIY chalk painted furniture ideas include easy-to-follow tutorials and gorgeous color inspiration for your next furniture makeover.

chalk paint furniture ideas

If you are looking for simple DIY projects with big impact, you are in the right place! Today is all about different ways you can update furniture with chalk paint.

I’ve used well over 50 different types of furniture paint in an attempt to help readers determine the best paint for their furniture projects. In fact, I tested the most popular brands of chalk paint available and found the best chalk paint brands for furniture,

If you’re not sure chalk paint is the right type of paint for your project, I also have a full post comparing the 5 other types of paint that work well on furniture in this post on the best furniture paint.

Before we get to the chalk paint makeovers, it may be a good idea to read my post about how to chalk paint furniture, especially if you are new to chalk paint.

Another quick tip is you may need to add a little water to your chalk paint if you find it too thick.

You can also save a few bucks by making your own DIY chalk paint. One of the best things about chalk paint is how easy it is to use.

I’ve tested different topcoats on chalk paint and the two topcoats that perform the best over chalk paint are furniture wax and clear, acrylic topcoat. I prefer specialty brand furniture waxes like Annie Sloan or Wise Owl and my favorite brand of clear acrylic topcoat is General Finishes.

One of the best parts of using chalk paint is that the prep work is minimal and you don’t need any special, expensive tools. If you plan to use furniture wax to cover your chalk paint, I only tool I recommend purchasing is a wax brush to apply the wax in the easiest way.

Now let’s get to these gorgeous furniture transformations. I wanted to share a mix of furniture painted in some of the most popular colors. That way you can choose the perfect look for your furniture piece.

Painted French Country Dresser

Get all the details on how to transform a dated French Country dresser with a beautiful soft green paint called Refreshing Green by DecoArt. The dresser drawer details are updated in a fun way with a bit of distressing and hardware that pops against the pretty color.

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Cottage Green Painted Dresser Makeover

Chalk painting furniture is an easy way to update an old dresser. Cindy from DIY Beautify used Dixie Belle paint in a mix of Kudzu and Savannah Mist to create a beautiful piece of home decor for her bedroom. The cup pulls are stunning!

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DIY Chalk Paint Trash to Treasure Bed

Chalk painting is an easy DIY project perfect for any roadside rescue like this stunning 4-poster bed frame. Annie Sloan chalk paint in Antibes Green gave this trash-to-treasure piece a bold pop of color that looks so fresh and modern!

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Chalk Painted Desk Refresh

This chalk painted desk is finished with DecoArt paint in Refreshing. It's a soothing pale green color that looks great on this dated desk. Add an accent color to the legs for an unexpected touch!

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Curbside Table Makeover

There is nothing like a trash to treasure makeover and this curbside table is a beauty! Country Chic paint in a soft pink called "Ooh la la" looks great on this wood furniture piece. All it needed was a little bit of love.

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A Dresser Makeover Using Chalk Paint

Amy Howard Palmer Pink was used on this lovely chalk-painted furniture piece for a unique look. You can experiment with a clear or white wax to achieve a lighter finish. A dark wax would be great for an antique look.

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Vintage Masterpiece with Red Chalk Paint

There are so many fun ideas for furniture makeovers as you can see in this stunning piece. This old cabinet was headed for the trash. Now it is a showstopper painted in Emperor Red by Annie Sloan. Instead of continuing the paint on the entire piece, the inside was finished with a vintage decoupage technique for an unexpected detail.

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Painted Furniture Update with Black Chalk Paint

Learn how to chalk paint furniture with Annie Sloan Athenian Black and black wax for a beautiful matte finish. The cool arrow handles give this piece a modern look.

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A Chalk Paint Dresser Makeover

Get all the details on how to achieve a flawless finish on your chalk painted furniture, including the supplies needed and tips for painting your own furniture. This rich dresser was painted with Amy Howard One Step Paint in Black.

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Coastal Dresser Update with Chalk Paint

These easy step by step instructions will teach you how to chalk paint furniture. DecoArt paint in Escape was used on the drawer fronts for a bold color choice against the classic white. Using a different color on the top and sides makes the feature color pop and adds depth and dimension.

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Two-Toned Dresser with Chalk Paint

I finished this dated dresser in a two-toned look and couldn’t love it more!  Pure and Original Classico paint in Lagoon Water was use for the drawers and Silk White for the frame. It creates an elegant look against the natural wood top. A clear coat polyurethane was added to the top to enhance and seal the wood.

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Antique Dresser Makeover DIY

There is nothing like a fresh coat of paint on an old piece of furniture for instant satisfaction! Get a lived-in look by distressing a single color, or use a complimentary color for added depth. This vintage dresser was painted with Jolie Paint in Deep Lagoon. For best results, be sure to finish your chalk painted furniture with a top coat of wax to protect it. Check your local thrift store or antique market for old furniture pieces to update on a budget.

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DIY Your Own Perfect Two Tone Furniture

Fusion Mineral paint in Midnight Blue was used on this DIY chalk paint furniture project. The great thing about this piece is the two-tone finish that has a farmhouse feel to it. Use this cabinet for extra storage in a dining room or bedroom. Get the easy step-by-step tutorial for your next makeover!

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French Demilune Cabinet Makeover

This chalk paint project was finished in several colors to achieve a variety of different looks. Steel Blue, Poetic Blue, and Sea Salt by Pure & Original are the gorgeous colors used in this step-by-step tutorial. You have to see the before of this neglected antique furniture cabinet, found at an estate sale.

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Transform An Inherited Buffet Into a Gorgeous Vintage Piece

This mid-century modern buffet was painted in Duck Egg by Dixie Bell Paint with dark wood on the drawer fronts. This two-tone look will add so much character to any home!

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Paint a Dresser with Chalk Paint without Sanding

DecoArt Chalky Finish Paint in Serene gives this old dresser a soft and modern look. This tutorial on how to paint a dresser without sanding will make you want to upcycle all your old furniture!

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Annie Sloan Coastal Desk Makeover

Check out how to update a dark computer table into a light coastal inspired writing desk with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Provence and Pure White. This bright color gives this tired desk a completely new look!

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DIY China Cabinet Makeover

Peacock, Haint Blue and Fluff by Dixie Belle are the contrasting colors used in this stunning cabinet makeover. Can you believe this piece is over 30 years old?

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Refinished Antique Oak Dresser

I updated this old dresser for my daughters using my personal preference of a two-tone look. General Finishes in Slate Gray and a dark wood stain create this beautiful finish. The quartersawn oak on the antique dresser really shines!

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DIY Woven Bench Transformation

See how I took an old, broken piece of furniture and created a rustic DIY woven bench with Wise Owl chalk paint in Sea Salt and jute twine.

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Antique Secretary Desk Makeover with Hutch

Paint is a great way to add modern style to an antique secretary desk. Bone and Old Linen chalk paint by Pure and Original gave this old white furniture piece new life! The base coat is a bit darker so it has a rich finish.

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How to Distress Furniture with Chalk Paint

This side table makeover was painted with chalk paint in Linen White by Rustoleum. Get a distressed look, with no brush strokes, for a popular farmhouse look. A clear wax will protect this old table for years to come!

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How to Distress Furniture for that Worn White Painted Look

Learn how to distress furniture for a soft, romantic look. Dixie Belle paint in Cotton was used on these white painted tables perfect for a living room. Check your local yard sale listings to find furniture pieces to refinish!

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Vintage Hand Painted Buffet

Transform an old buffet into a beautiful vintage hand painted piece. A mix of paint colors by Country Chic was used including Cheesecake, Sunday Tea, Dark Roast, and Soiree. This blended paint technique would also be perfect for a small piece of furniture.

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Vintage French Painted Dresser Tutorial

Update an antique dresser with a modern French look using chalk paint. Classico paint in Soft Taupe and Milk White were used to create this whitewash effect.

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Paint with Chalk Paint the Easy Way

Chalk paint dressers are a quick and inexpensive way to update a bedroom. Rustoleum Gray Chalk Paint was used on this beautiful layered piece of furniture. It is just one of many chalk paint ideas you can create with this same tutorial.

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Distress Furniture with Chalk Paint

Check out this thrift store end table flip that is now modern and chic! Dixie Belle Bunker Hill and Moonshine Silver paint were used on this furniture piece for a nice pop of color.

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Chalk Painted Bookcase DIY

This old piece of furniture was finished with Annie Sloan chalk paint in Paris Grey for a soft color scheme. It's a perfect piece for a den or study.

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Coffee Table Makeover DIY With Chalk Paint

Check out this elegant Bassett coffee table furniture transformation, that was a curbside find. It is finished with a chalk-style paint by Pure and Original in Pigeon Grey. A dark wax was applied with a lint-free cloth to give it a bit of antiquing. This is a piece that can be used for many years!

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There you have it-30 chalk-painted furniture projects that I hope have inspired you to give your old furniture an update. Let me know in the comments below if you give any of these paint techniques a try.