You bought particleboard furniture from IKEA years ago. Maybe it’s starting to show its age, or maybe you just don’t like the hue anymore.

In this case, contrary to common opinion, a fresh coat of paint will give your furniture a new lease on life. IKEA furniture may be painted to transform it from a regular mass-produced item into a one-of-a-kind object.

Many people want to customize their IKEA furniture for this purpose, but horror stories of people wanting to paint their IKEA furniture and it all peeling off a few days later have put them off.

The job necessitates some preparation; painting schemes still do. The measures for painting IKEA furniture are outlined below.

If you follow this guide, you should be able to finish the job effectively, changing the look of the Lack or Expedite you’re either not ready to part with (or never will be?).

WHAT KIND OF PAINT SHOULD USE?

WATER BASED

Pros:

• Water-based paints (latex, also known as plastic) are common because they emit less poisonous fumes than oil-based paints.
• They are simple to clean because all you need is water.
• Won’t turn yellow over time

Cons:

• One downside to painting furniture with water-based latex paints is that the paint cannot perform as anticipated, resulting in stains and wood knot bleeding, which may be catastrophic. You should be able to prevent this if you use primer, but water-based primers are considered to have the same problem (staining/bleeding).
• Not as long-lasting as oil-based paints

OIL BASED

Pros:

• Oil-based paints are much more durable than water-based paints.
• They mask any odors that might be trapped in your furniture much better.

Cons:

• Cleaning up is time-consuming and you use mineral spirits or turpentine to rinse your paintbrushes rather than just water. You should kiss your brushes goodbye until they dry if you don’t scrub them with mineral spirits after painting with oil-based paints.
• Oil-based paint is less durable than latex water-based paints, which means it can break.
• During application, there is a heavy odor
• Drying times are longer

CHALK PAINT

Pros:

Layering chalk paints will create some spectacular results and lends it well to distressing for a “shabby” or retro look.

Cons:

• Brushstrokes are visible
• Getting an even finish also necessitates several coats
• Less stable than latex paint

ON SOLID WOOD, CHALK PAINT DOES NOT NEED TO BE PRINTED. Even if you’re using chalk paint to paint laminate furniture, you’ll need to prime first.

You must wax furniture that has been decorated with chalk paint. All chalk paint is latex paint with powder – usually plaster of Paris – mixed in.

Pros and Cons of Spray Paint:

Pros:

• Easy to adhere
• Has even coverage when done correctly
• Dries easily

Cons:

• A big project can necessitate several cans, which may be costly.
• Will drip if not sprayed correctly

• Difficult to get even coverage on big parts

• During application, there are strong odors.

TOOLS TO APPLY PAINT

Spray guns are difficult to use because you can’t simply pour paint into the canister and spray it; you must first thin the paint.

If you don’t have the paint quality right, you’ll have a lot of trouble for it to spray properly – if it’s too dense, it won’t come out at all, and if it’s too light, it’ll come out in fat droplets.

It’s also a pain to clean your paint spray cartridge. However, once you get the hang of them, they greatly speed up the process.

Steps to Paint IKEA Furniture

STEP 1: Start disassembling your IKEA furniture.

Start by removing all the removable parts from your IKEA furniture before painting it.

This covers elements like cabinets and doors (which are simpler to paint separately) as well as hardware like hinges and knobs.

When you set each item aside, mark it so you’ll know what goes where when you’re finished.

STEP 2: Clean the furniture with any debris and grime that has accumulated.

Next, scrub off all surfaces with a clean rag and a combination of warm water and a minimal amount of dishwashing detergent.

The aim is to get rid of any grit that has accumulated. When cleaning the particleboard, be careful not to saturate it.

Just the laminate sections of the furniture should be cleaned, not the pressed wood.

When you’re finished, wipe the item down with a dry cloth to clear any remaining soap traces.

STEP 3: Sand all sides to be painted.

After allowing enough time for the IKEA furniture to dry entirely, sand the surface with 120- or 140-grit sandpaper.

Scuff the laminate just enough to allow the first primer coat to last.

Avoid sanding too vigorously, as this will cause the surface to become rough and the particleboard to deteriorate.

STEP 4: Cover with oil-based paint primer.

When you’re done sanding, brush the sanding dust from the furniture and clean the work area to prevent the dust from returning.

Apply a layer of oil-based primer with a good paintbrush and let it dry.

STEP 5: Apply a second coat of primer and let it dry absolutely before proceeding.

Sand the furniture a second time, using 400-grit sandpaper this time. Before adding the second coat of primer, clean the sawdust off the furniture and the work surface.

Wait a few days—or up to a week—for the primer to cure completely before moving on to the next move. 

STEP 6: Lightly sand and paint the IKEA furniture.

 Apply the first coat of paint in the colour of your choosing after lightly scuffing the prepared surfaces with medium-grit sandpaper, wiping away the sanding dust.

Enable a day or two for drying time after applying in a thin layer.

STEP 7: Apply a second coat of paint.

Rub on the second, final coat of paint after lightly sanding the first coat and wiping away the sanding residue.

Give it a couple of days to dry, then reassemble the furniture and replace the hardware.