Hellobee Boards

Start small! My first project was a kitchen table, and I was traumatized. Luckily DH was there to help, but now I can do it on my own.

One thing that took me forever to realize is that if you use a brush, the paint strokes will even themselves out when drying. I always thought that the lines would stay, but don't worry!

Get yourself one of these
http://www.lowes.com/pd_42372-2167-144152320_0__?productId=3422402&Ntt=angled+brush&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNtt%3Dangled%2Bbrush&facetInfo=

and a bunch of trash-bags. Don't waste money on tarps (unless you have them already) or plastic wrap. Cheap trash-bags and a pair of scissors are your best bet!

A roller is great for flat surfaces, and polyurethane them if you are going to use them a lot (foam craft brush, btw)

Last tip- wash your brush ASAP! I used to let them sit for a bit while I cleaned up, but don't. Clean them even if your taking a break, unless you want to throw them out. Just hot water, and then I put it in between my hands and spin the handle by rubbing my hands together really fast..gets the excess paint out from up near the handle!

Have fun!!

Me! Mainly because it seems like there are so many different techniques, it seems overwhelming on what to do and how to do it. I would have no idea where to start lol.

I'm glad someone posted this question because I have an old bookshelf of my husband's that I'm going to paint - it's mostly particle board on the inside with this dark, ugly veneer - and put in the nursery but I'm afraid that it's going to go terribly wrong. I'm going to have to do research on what paint is best for the material, I know, but I don't want this to go AWOL.

I'm afraid to paint anything that's not real wood. We did buy a few unfinished pieces that we sanded, stained, and sealed ourselves, but they started out unfinished so it was easier. I would only do it on something I just don't care if it's ruined. But like you, I see so many cute things on the internet. I don't even know where these mythical "thrift stores" are that people find great, solid wood furniture for $20.

I LOVE to paint furniture! Call me crazy I don't enjoy it in the summer months, which is always when I end up doing a big project, lol. A good sander is key for big pieces, foam rollers, primer and thin coats are your best friends.

Here are some pieces I have done!

We've stained, and painted. We have lucked out painting over and not sanding down, but I prefer the stained pieces, but it is just so much more work!

Here is a piece I bought for $20 off kijiji, and painted for C's nursery.

No tips, we just lucked out I think?

@mrsaudi: Thanks! Our bedroom has been featured on many blogs and sites, so it does get pinned quite frequently.

@emg86: that's awesome!

I've never done it but have painted a lot of wooden things for our wedding DIYs its hard at first but then you get the hang of it. I prefer spray paint

Nah, painting furniture is super easy and fun (not that you are a failure if it didn't work out, but I'm saying don't let that experience dissuade you from trying again). What turned out awful about the bedroom furniture you painted? Did you just not like the color, etc? Or was there something you can learn from?

The YHL tutorial is great, here are some others I've saved:

http://www.prettyhandygirl.com/2010/09/aging-is-so-distressing-techniques-for.html

http://southernhospitalityblog.com/furniture-updating-with-black-spray-paint/

http://www.oleanderandpalm.com/2012/05/painting-laminate-furniture.html

And this whole series from Design*Sponge, written by the woman who owns Knack Studios is awesome:
http://www.designsponge.com/category/barb-blair
(the most basic concepts start at the beginning of the series so scroll down and click on "older entries")

Some tips...

- Start with something you won't feel bad about ruining. My first painted piece was a $5 nightstand from Craigslist. I painted it all one color. Then I moved onto a $20 dining room table -- I stained the top a dark brown and painted the legs and apron white, and had it for about 4 years until we got rid of it because it was too small. I just recently did my first experiment playing around with flat paint, distressing and sanding, black stain, and wax, and loved the result. It can be really fun playing around with different finishes, techniques, doing multiple colors, stain/paint, etc. But starting out small with one paint color for the whole piece is great for building confidence.
- If you want a really shiny finish, use oil-based paint. The brush strokes will fall out, whereas they won't with a high-gloss latex.
- Oil-based polyurethane as a protective coat will tend to yellow -- water-based polyurethane won't, and is better environmentally and just easier to work with. I also like wax as a finish for a less shiny look, but it's hard on pieces like dining room tables, nightstands, where you'll be placing glasses and stuff on the surface. I like it better for dressers, etc.
- When working with all one color like white, etc. you can snazz things up easily with fun knobs. I love Anthropologie's knobs and handles for sprucing up a piece.
- You really don't have to completely sand down a surface if you're painting it, which is why painting is a great alternative to staining. But you should "rough" up the surface with some sandpaper, use a tack cloth (stick cheesecloth, can get at Home Depot/Lowe's) to remove dust, and then apply a primer. The rule is, you can use latex over an oil primer, but not oil paint over a water-based primer. And of course water/water oil/oil works fine as well.
- If you can get access to chalk paint, it's a different type of finish and you do not have to sand OR prime. I haven't worked with it yet but I have a project in mine I want to use it for. This isn't chalkboard paint -- it's called chalk paint and is a specialty item. Annie Sloan is one brand, but there are others. You can find retailers by visiting the sites or you can order online.

Have fun with it!

I'm in the middle of my nursery dresser re-painting and re-finishing project. Ugh! It's exhausting let me tell you! Seriously Pinterest people make thing look so easy! I did finish the night-stand and I really like it! But I don't think just by looking at it you could tell how much work it too me to do it! bahahah! The night stand was a lot easier and quicker, so I think if you do your night-stands, it's a good, small project to start with. Not too many tips from me, except for "wear gloves!" if you plan on using an oil-based primer!