Does it seem impossible to paint furniture successfully without any sort of prep work? Well, not if you get yourself a quality chalk furniture paint.
I’ve wanted to upgrade the paint of my furniture to a classy matte finish for a long time, and last week I finally got around to it. However, soon I realized that the market was flooded with many chalk furniture paint options, making it difficult for me to zone in on a single item.
Frustrated, I called my neighbor for help when she recommended some of the best chalk furniture paints on the market. Hi! I am Stacy Smith, and today I’ll review each of her recommendations to help you choose the best chalk furniture paint.
So, if you are ready, let’s get started.
Top 5 Chalk Furniture Paints
1. Rust-Oleum 285140
Rust-Oleum is one of the leading manufacturers of premium-quality and innovative coatings that empower professionals and DIYers alike. And the 285140 Ultra Matte Interior Chalked Paint from the brand is yet another noteworthy addition to its repertoire that helps users get the desired results.
Product Highlights
First and foremost, this product is highly versatile, which means you can use it on a wide variety of interior surfaces such as ceramic, metal, and wood without worrying. Additionally, you can distress it by lightly sanding the surface in order to create a vintage look.
Now, users worried about clean-up will love its latex formula, which makes it effortless. All that’s required is a soap and a bucket of water to get the job done. A 30-ounce fluid can cover up to 150 square feet, which is pretty decent if you ask me.
Plus, this product is low on odor, which gives it an edge over other options on the market featuring a similar price tag. Lastly, it is available in a variety of colors from linen white and aged gray to charcoal and coastal blue, leaving you with many options to choose from.
What’s There To Like About It?
Before buying this product, I was a little skeptical about its drying time, but when I found out it takes just about 30 minutes to completely dry, I was happy. However, note that if you want to add another coat for extra protection, make sure you wait for at least 8 hours to let the first coat dry.
With this product, there’s no prep work required, such as priming or sanding; I was able to paint it straight on my furniture without any hassle.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
Unfortunately, this product can only be used on a range of indoor surfaces. This is because there is no primer or sealer included in its formula to make it durable and suitable for outdoor use. Therefore, if you are planning to use it outdoors, you may have to look for some other option.
Pros and Cons of Rust-Oleum 285140
Pros
Cons
- EASY TO USE, EVEN FOR BEGINNERS: Whether you’re new to DIY or a pro, Rust-Oleum Chalked makes painting easy and enjoyable. Minimal prep required means you can jump right into your project confidently and focus on creativity—not complicated steps
- IDEAL FOR FURNITURE REFRESHES: Chalked is perfect for updating nightstands, coffee tables, bookshelves, cabinets, and more. It adheres to wood, metal, ceramic, canvas, and more—turning everyday pieces into stylish, custom accents with ease
- QUICK CLEANUP, NO FUSS: When your project is done, cleanup is quick and easy with just soap and water. No special products or harsh chemicals needed—just a smooth finish and a clean workspace, ready for your next idea
2. Shabby Chic 13007/250
Next, I’ve included a product from Shabby Chic, a UK-based brand known for producing safe and premium paints. Meet the 13007/250 Chalk Based Furniture Paint from the brand that can restore your furniture while giving it a distressed finish.
Product Highlights
For starters, it offers great coverage, thereby saving you money and time. And the best part is that it is suitable for a range of exterior and interior painting projects such as plaster, stone, brick, plastic, metal, and wooden furniture. Rest assured, a little of this product can go a long way to deliver the desired results without any issues.
Unlike the other options on this list, it is not entirely a chalk paint but a chalk-based paint, which means it has been specifically formulated to create an imperfect look. Thus, you don’t have to put in extra effort to achieve the distressed look; it comes naturally once you apply the paint.
Furthermore, the formula is low on VOC, so absolutely safe to use. Thus, it means you can use it near children and inside the house without worrying.
What’s There To Like About It?
The USP of this product has got to be the advanced formula. Besides being non-toxic, it is low on odor and VOC content, making it ideal for interior use. What’s more, I was quite impressed with its versatility, as it can be used on various interior and exterior surfaces without any difficulty whatsoever.
Finally, it is available at a reasonable price, making it an ideal choice for DIYers such as myself.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
The only drawback of this paint is that the packaging material used was not strong enough. When I opened it, the paint was leaking, and quite a bit of it was spilled all over the box. But other than that, it does a decent job for most parts, hence worth considering.
Pros and Cons of Shabby Chic 13007/250
Pros
Cons
![Shabby Chic Chalk Furniture Paint: Luxurious Chalk Finish Craft Paint for Home Decor, DIY, Wood Cabinets - All-in-One Paints with Rustic Matte Finish [Black Liquorice] - (8.5 oz Covers 32 sf)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51+oKw5fqYS._SL160_.jpg)
- INTERIOR DESIGN: The term ‘shabby chic’ boasts ‘the beauty of imperfection’, that’s what shabby chic is all about – restoring furniture while still giving it a distressed, ‘imperfect’ finish.
- A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY: Great coverage saving you time and money. Long-lasting durability, little-to-no prep work required for wood (just clean first). Suitable for interior and exterior painting projects.
- CHALK BASED (Not Chalk Paint): Shabby Chic is a chalk based paint. Specifically formulated to create a distressed or imperfect look where brush strokes are desirable. To achieve this look a thinner paint with superior pigments is preferred over a thicker paint.
3. FolkArt 34151
Now, allow me to introduce you to the 34151 Chalk Furniture Paint from FolkArt, a good choice if you are looking to transform the home décor with an ultra-matte finish. Keep reading to know more about it.
Product Highlights
First things first, it has an expansive color palette, ensuring that it delivers a creamy and rich consistency for outstanding shading and blending. Plus, it has a highly rich and pigmented formula, making it an ideal choice for home furniture.
It also needs minimal surface prep, yet it provides a quality matte finish. Not to mention, it is easy to distress and can be further sanded or layered to deliver the ultimate aged feel and look, which all homeowners desire.
You can use it on various surfaces such as metal, home décor accessories, decorative glass, and furniture, which is great. Rest assured, with it, you can pretty much cover all your craft and art projects in an instant.
On top of that, it offers an easy clean-up; all you need is soap and water, and you are good to go. But make sure you clean up while it’s still wet.
What’s There To Like About It?
The thing that I liked the most about this product was its rich pigmentation, which helped me provide long-lasting coatings to all my DIY projects. Beyond that, I was impressed by how minimal prep work this paint required; safe to say, it was next to nothing.
Moving on, this chalk furniture paint is super easy to use and it can be applied using a roller as well as a paintbrush. From my experience with this paint, I can assure that you won’t be dissatisfied with the results.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
I found the brown color of this paint to be particularly disappointing. It was on the lighter side, so I had to add some darker stain to it to make it look like the color of the wood, which left me frustrated. But apart from that, the other colors helped achieve the desired look.
Pros and Cons of FolkArt 34151
Pros
Cons
- VERSATILE SIZE - This unique chalk off-white acrylic paint comes in a convenient 8 oz size and has a rich, highly pigmented formula - perfect for all your home décor projects!
- ULTRA-MATTE FINISH - When dry this versatile white acrylic chalk paint has a beautiful ultra-matte finish. Requires minimal surface prep, is easy to distress, and can be layered and sanded to give you a perfect aged look and feel
- USE ON MULTIPLE SURFACES - Use this unique home décor paint on a variety of surfaces including wood, glass, metal, terra cotta, and much more
4. Country Chic Paint All-In-One Chalk Style Paint
Founded in 2014, Country Chic Paint has been dedicated to delivering DIY enthusiasts and professionals across North America with an exceptional collection of paint colors for furniture. And as you can imagine, the All-In-One Chalk Style Paint from the brand is no different.
Product Highlights
The formula of this product has been made specifically to be used on home decor and furniture. But, it can also be used for various art projects with spectacular results, thanks to its top-notch adhesive properties, which allow it to adhere to pretty much all surfaces. Thus, it makes this product an instant hit among DIYers and professionals alike.
Since it’s an all-in-one paint, it features a built-in topcoat and primer, meaning all you need to do before painting is ensure that the surface is clean. More often than not, no prior waxing or priming will be required.
Now, a major problem with chalk paints is that many of them are not eco-friendly. Thankfully, that’s not the case with this product as it has been tested according to the highest European safety standards. So, you can even use it on children’s furniture without worrying about their health.
What’s There To Like About It?
Perhaps, the best part of this product is its drying time. Believe it or not, it dried to a marvelous matte chalky finish in just 30 minutes, which surprised me. A lower dry time is beneficial for professionals who have to complete many projects in a short period.
Also, as a family-oriented woman, I was relieved to find out that it has low VOC content, meaning it’s absolutely safe to be used on home décor and furniture. Hence, I don’t have to worry about the safety of my family.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
During my usage, I wasn’t able to notice any considerable flaws with this quality chalk paint. But having said that, I should let you know that it took me 3 coats to cover my project, which was a bit disappointing. So, keep that in mind if you decide to choose this product.
Pros and Cons of Country Chic Paint All-In-One Chalk Style Paint
Pros
Cons
- All-in-One Formula: This furniture paint includes a built-in primer and top coat, providing seamless application on wood, metal, laminate, and more surfaces for a hassle-free painting experience.
- Durable & Long-Lasting: Backed by 80 years of experience, our paint delivers a tough, long-lasting finish with excellent adhesion. It provides vibrant, full coverage with minimal prep, ensuring a reliable surface that withstands everyday wear and tear.
- Quick-Drying, Chalky Matte Finish - Dries within 30 minutes to a chalky matte finish that’s easy to distress if desired, yet highly durable. The self-leveling formula ensures a flawlessly smooth finish, making it perfect for blending colors and achieving a custom look.
5. Retique It Liquid Wood
If you are on the hunt for a slightly unconventional option, I highly suggest considering the Liquid Wood from Retique. I called this unconventional because it contains 66% recycled wood, which is quite unlike other paint products on the market.
Product Highlights
This product is genuine liquid wood and not a faux finish like any other ordinary furniture paint on the market. In fact, it contains 66% recycled wood, which makes it look and feel like wood; that’s why, it’s a suitable choice for painting furniture.
Additionally, this water-based paint contains very low VOC, making the product safe to use and virtually odorless. So, rest assured you can apply it inside your house without any problems.
To paint this product, you don’t require to strip off or sand the old surface, which is no less than a bonus if you ask me. So, as far as the versatility is concerned, I think it’s safe to say it exceeded my expectations. It can be used on a range of surfaces, including doors, cabinets, decks, shutters, concrete, flooring, furniture, and any other hard surface that you can think of.
What’s There To Like About It?
Although there are a bunch of points to talk about, I was particularly impressed with its versatility. It works on various surfaces and can transform each of them into pieces of art without breaking a sweat.
I also found that it was entirely odorless, which made it easier for me to apply it to my furniture. Other than that, the paint doesn’t require sanding or stripping off the old surface to be applied, which is why it is a great choice.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
Truth to be told, there is barely anything to dislike about the paint, which is why it sports an expensive price tag. As such, it may not be an ideal choice for users on a humble budget. However, given the results the paint can deliver, I would recommend it nonetheless.
Pros and Cons of Retique It Liquid Wood
Pros
Cons
- [LOOKS & FEELS LIKE WOOD] This is genuine liquid wood, not a faux finish. Looks like wood, feels like wood because it IS wood. We have found a way to make wood particles 1/5th the size of your red blood cells then put them in a paintable system.
- [66% GENUINE WOOD] Contains 66% recycled wood (by volume). Patented in 2018, no other paintable product is allowed to include genuine wood.
- [EASY TO USE] Just paint it, stain it and seal it. Paint on a layer of unfinished wood, Stain it with the non-penetratring stain of your choice the seal it with a poly.
Buyers Guide
Now that you’ve been enlightened with all the important information on the top 5 recommendations, trust me, you’re only halfway there to buying the best chalk furniture paint. In order to make an informed purchase, there are a slew of important factors other than the specifications that you need to keep in mind.
Don’t worry, though; I’ve written this buyer’s guide explaining all these factors in detail to make your task simpler. Just make sure you read it carefully; otherwise, you might end up making an expensive mistake.
1. Colors
When it comes to choosing any paint, colors perhaps play the biggest role. While some brands offer conventional vintage tones, others offer modern colors, meaning there are plenty of options to choose from.
I would strongly recommend going with colors that can complement your home décor, preferably contrasting colors that’ll make your painted furniture stand out in the room. In that way, you’ll be able to create an aesthetically appealing focal point that will turn heads for sure.
If you are the type of person that likes to keep things classy, the off-white would be a great option. However, if you want to experiment, going with blues and greens would make more sense as they’ll provide a relaxing theme to the room. Additionally, colors like reds and oranges are perfect for use on the cabinet doors of the kitchen.
I would suggest that you do a little research on the color options available so that you can make the right choice.
2. Application
As far as the application is concerned, you have two options: rolling and brushing. Let me tell you the basic differences.
Rolling tends to deliver a textured effect, which is difficult to achieve while brushing. Usually, it works great on kitchen cabinets but can look awfully hideous on other types of furniture, especially when there are fittings and contours, leaving a poor finish.
On the other hand, brushing tends to leave an even surface if done the right way. If you intend on giving your furniture a professional look, I would strongly advise brushing in the direction of the grain. Plus, make sure not to use too much paint as it may leave marks in the final finish.
Besides rolling and brushing, spraying is also an option. However, you will need to purchase an air compressor to produce a good finish.
3. Paint Type
Most chalk paints available on the market are acrylic-based paints or have similar properties. An important thing that you must consider with acrylic options is the VOC levels and children-friendly options. It’s important to ensure that the products are children-friendly if you’re working on a project with the kids to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals.
Almost every option I’ve reviewed in the guide is children-friendly and safe to use.
Other than that, if you are working in areas that experience a lot of wear and tear, opting for oil-based spray chalk paint would be better. This is because they deliver a tougher finish than conventional chalk paints.
Naturally, this makes oil-based chalk paints an ideal choice for vanities and bathroom mirrors, as the build-up of steam can make conventional chalk paint degrade and flake. Usually, smaller bathrooms are more prone to dampness from showers.
4. Size Of The Container
The container size and the coverage are undoubtedly two of the most important factors to consider while buying chalk furniture paint. However, it is going to be different for everyone because it mainly depends on the surface you are working with and the paint you are using.
For instance, if you are painting something small, like a bathroom vanity, ideally, you should use between 8 and 10 fluid ounces. However, for bigger furniture like a dresser, you’ll need a bit more, say 16 fluid ounces for 70 feet of coverage.
Also, keep in mind that you’ll have to apply multiple coats in certain situations. For example, if you are going to make a drastic change in color, say from dark to white, you will most likely need two coats to achieve complete coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are thinking of applying a sealer on the chalk paint, make sure you allow it to dry for at least 8 hours before applying the sealer. In that way, you will be able to get the desired results.
Even though most chalk paints on the market are waterproof, a few are not. In that case, the easiest and quickest way to waterproof your chalk paint is to apply an acrylic sealing on top of the chalk paint once it has completely dried.
More often than not, one or two coats are enough to do the job. This is because chalk paints can adhere to pretty much any surface without the need to sand and prime before painting.
My Final Recommendation
With that, I’ve almost reached the end of my guide on the best chalk furniture paint. And I genuinely hope that it helps you make the right buying decision. But before I wrap things up, I have decided to let you in on my favorite options from the list to help you even further.
For me, the Rust-Oleum 285140 is the best option overall since it offers decent coverage and is available in a ton of colors. Additionally, the Shabby Chic Chalk Based Furniture Paint 13007/250 is also a good choice because it’s safe to use and sports a reasonable price tag.Â
And if you are looking for a product that can be applied on a range of surfaces, I strongly suggest going with the FolkArt 34151.Â
On that note, I’ll leave you alone to make a decision. Until next time, keep painting!