Refurbish Furniture with Acrylic Paint Texture

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Furniture Reborn

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Knowing how to refurbish furniture with acrylic paint texture is great - if you know how to do it right. The trouble is, everyone is so attracted to the DIY idea, and they often jump in without doing the necessary research first. Before you tackle this, learn something about the process or the product; otherwise you'll end up with disastrous results. If you don't know the proper methods, you'll most likely end up with an uneven finish due to your brushstrokes.

Seasoned painters can easily achieve a smooth finish with just a paintbrush, because they have already mastered the art of painting with a steady hand, something that may take some time and patience to acquire. Others, however, choose to use spray rigs to save time and end up with an ultra-smooth finish. Don't be fooled into thinking it's a lot easier than painting manually, only to find out that it's more difficult than they thought. Do it right and your finished product will look wonderful. Take shortcuts, or fail to read through all the steps, and your furniture might look worse than before, with messy paint runs and uneven texture.

Spray paint is another good alternative to achieve that impressive, flawless finish. You have to be very careful though, because if you're working on a bigger piece of furniture, this may end up costing you more than it should, as they can be very expensive. This is a better idea if you're just working on small pieces that are easy to finish. Make sure you're spraying no less than eight inches from your subject to get the look that you want. Another trick you can use if you really want to use acrylic paint on bigger furniture, is to dilute it. An ounce of water can be added to a gallon of acrylic paint. Diluting the paint will give you a smoother finish, and instead of applying two heavy coats, a few light coats will be much better.

So here are other ideas you can use to liven up your old furniture with acrylic paint, along with some other fun ways to further jazz up a room in your home.

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   Pay attention to details

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   The first thing to look at when you're planning to change the look of your room or furniture is the details. You don't need to spend a fortune trying to do a major redecorating, or trying to come up with a completely different look. If you're patient enough to allow your creative juices to flow, there are so many things you can find and do with to re-vamp your space both easily, and cost effectively. Flea markets or garage sales, afford a cornucopias of possibilities. Pair a 'great find' with the right shade of acrylic paint, and you're good to go.

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2. 2
   Don't be afraid to experiment

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   Your chairs and tables don't have to look identical by giving them the same shade of acrylic paint. Don't be afraid to paint them in various, fun colors As long as they have one thing that connects all of them, they won't look mismatched, even if each piece is unique. Also, mixing new pieces with your old ones is a great idea, just as long as you know how to create that balance.

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3. 3
   Get loud

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   Don't expect people to notice your "work of art" if everything you have worked on has neutral shades. There's nothing wrong with playing it safe, nor is there anything wrong with being bold and using bright, lively colors to make a statement.

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4. 4
   Work out the perfect theme

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   Perfect planning will create perfect results. Think of the theme you want in your home, and plan ahead. Green or turquoise will go great with a country theme in France, while white walls and floors with lively and bright-colored furniture are something you'd go for with a Scandinavian theme. The idea is to make your furniture pieces stand out in with neutral-colored background.

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5. 5
   Go against the grain

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   Typical is boring! Be different while giving life to your furniture pieces. Your chest of drawers no longer has to be a single color; each drawer can be an eye-catcher with its own specific color. Alternatively, you can use the same color, but in different shades to create a dramatic flair.

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6. 6
   Pump some metallic muscles

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   Metallic paints are becoming very popular these days, especially brass and gold colors. Seasoned designers are giving a new twist by incorporating this old style with contemporary pieces. Lamp bases, mirror frames, windows and doors may be revived using a metallic effect. The key is knowing how to use this sparingly, because the metallic color in itself is an attention grabber. If you put too much of this in your home décor, you will simply defeat the purpose. Nice and subtle is the perfect way to do it.

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7. 7
   Glam up the dull

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   When you're entertaining guests in your house, you want them to feel cozy and comfortable, but this doesn't mean they have to end up in the dullest bedroom in your home. Liven up the bedroom by doing something with the bed or old candleholders, and give them a splash of color. Something totally chic and glam will be both surprising and delightful to your guests.

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1. 1
   Turn the lining into the best feature

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   Just like having a gorgeous lining on a piece of clothing, a piece of furniture can have the best-hidden feature, like finding a treasure amid the chaos, but first you have to open it. A coffee table, for instance, with beautiful wallpaper underneath the glass top can make a huge difference. You can paint the legs using the same hue as the colors in the paper - to make the perfect finish.

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2. 2
   Utilize old furniture for new accents

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   Old dressers can be turned into bookshelves, or your old dresser can be your new kitchen island or vanity table after you've revamped it with the right paint color. The possibilities are endless!

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3. 3
   Go with the right shabby chic style

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   Depending on what you're looking for, you can give your wood furniture a whitewashed effect if your style is leaning more towards the shabby-chic. Vintage pieces, on the other hand, can be overhauled using stain. How solid or vibrant your colors will be is entirely up to you.

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Knowing how to refurbish furniture with acrylic paint texture is not as complicated as you think, and neither is coming up with the perfect look for your home décor. In the end, don't rely too much on lifestyle magazines or television to end up with the style that you want. First and foremost, ask yourself, what do you want? Only then will you be truly at peace with your finished product. Happy decorating!

Can I use acrylic paint to recycle old wooden furniture?

I have some lovely acrylic paint but don't know if it is suitable. Chalk paints are expensive.

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Does Acrylic paint give a high gloss finish?

I am looking to redesign/makeover my kitchen.

Most acrylic paint finishes tend too look quite glossy, but you can make the finished result even glossier by applying an acrylic resin varnish, which will make the piece shinier as well as protect your paint-job from fading. The more layers of this varnish you apply over paint, the more mirror-like a finish the painted surface will appear. Be sure to use this type of finish in a well-ventilated room, as varnish is quite toxic to breath in.

What topcoat can I use over acrylic paint on a dresser?

Does acrylic paint need a topcoat?

It's a very good idea to apply a topcoat to painted furniture because it is easily banged up from use. For good results, use a water-based polyacrylic product. You can get these topcoats in clear, and you can water them down if you need a less shiny, more satin-like finish. For best results apply at least three coats and use a fine brush that will not leave evidence of dripping or streak the paint in any way.

How can I refurbish furniture shabby chic style using acrylic paint?

I have old furniture I want to put in my cottage which is in the shabby chic style. I have tried: I have only stained furniture before, but now I would like to add color.

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I have a wooden entertainment center painted glossy.

What can I prime it with so the paint adheres? I did want to use metallic acrylic paint (tubes). I tried Martha Stewart Metallic, but it isn't very good. I should prime the wood, right?

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Can I use artist acrylic paints on furniture?

My daughter wants some a look in her bedroom and I was thinking of using stencils, paint and our own creativity to add painted pictures and characters to her furniture (bed, wardrobe, drawers - all wood). What paints are best for a reasonable quick dry, good and fairly hardy finish?

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Hi, I painted my dining room table with acrylic paint using a cloth to get a faux marble look. Unfortunately, I hate the colors I used. Can I repaint with primer and start again or do I sand the table? The primer I used was water based?

Hi, I painted my dining room table with acrylic paint using a cloth to get a faux marble look. Unfortunately, I hate the colors I used. Can I repaint with primer and start again or do I sand the table? The primer I used was water based.

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Can I use artists tube acrylics to paint directly on painted, decorated wood? I wish to paint a name?

Should I add anything to the paint? I would like to paint a name on the back of the child's chair. I don't know if I should add retarder or use it straight from the tube. I have tried: Since I'm not sure what to do, I haven't started yet. I think it was caused by: I haven't started yet because I don't want to ruin the decorated piece through ignorance.

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