How do you paint wood furniture without sanding? Tips to get a good finish, without all the mess

Painting furniture is a great DIY activity. You can change the look of your home very quickly by just giving a new lease of life to a piece of furniture you’re no longer in love with. If you look up how to get this done you will notice that sanding the surface is a step that most decorators recommend. However, it’s the most messy, and least fun part so I spoke with experts to check if there is a way to paint furniture without ticking this box. 

While sanding is the preferred method that guarantees the best results, you can work your way around it if you follow these tips carefully. The type of paint you choose is also important, so read on as this will make your weekend project so much more enjoyable and easier. 

Clean and prep the surface 

If you want to skip the sanding step the next best thing you can do is make sure the surface of your furniture is cleaned and prepped before painting. ‘If a piece of furniture is fully cleaned and in good shape before painting, you can generally get away without sanding IF you use the right primer,’ explains Tila Lee, founder of Pretty in Paint School. 

‘A shellac primer works best and will cover you to ensure no tannin from the wood seeps through your paint. Your cleaning should consist of more than just water; a TSP cleaner should be used to make sure all oils are removed from the piece,’ she adds. 

Pick the right paint finish

(Image credit: 2LG Studio)

The type of paint finish you use is equally important if you want to ensure durability. You don’t want the layer of paint to start peeling off in a few weeks. Cindy Praesel, owner of Five Star Painting of Waco, explains: ‘The paint you choose should be one that is designed for cabinets and trim for durability. If the furniture will be used on a regular basis, oil base paint is the best option in my opinion because it dries the hardest,’ she says.  

Kristin Harrison, interior designer at Bungalow 10 Interiors thinks chalk paint is the way to go. ‘It covers incredibly well and creates a beautiful matte finish. You do need a top coat, and it’s not the most durable, but when used on the right pieces, it’s the perfect option,’ she explains. For a piece of furniture that is more decorative and won’t have to deal with a lot of wear (unlike a chair, or a table, where durability is key), you can get away with using chalk paint for an easy application and a lovely look. 

Praesel recommends ProClassic, a line of paint from Sherwin Williams, for great results. ‘It comes in an oil base and water base however, there are less expensive products that can be used if money is a factor,’ she says. 

What is the best practice?  

(Image credit: Raquel Langworthy. Design: Christina Kim Interior Design)

In an ideal world, if you wanted to do this like the pros, you wouldn’t skip sanding, even if you just go for a light version. ‘Even with these considered, I would always recommend a very light scuff sand,’ advises Tila. ‘A little roughness will ensure the products stick properly.  And if your piece has any peeling or chipped spots, sanding is ALWAYS required,’ she says.  

Praesel agrees: ‘In my experience, lightly sanding and then priming gives the best results when painting wood furniture. Using a sprayer will give the smoothest finish however if a sprayer is not available then a high-quality paint brush can work,’ explains the expert.

The bottom line is that while you can forgo this step, you need to decide what the desired result is, and the functionality of the piece being painted. If you’re just looking for a change of paint color and style for a piece of furniture that is mostly decorative and doesn’t get much wear and tear, then a good clean and prep of the surface, paired with a quality finish is enough. However, if you want to do it correctly, like the pros, and ensure durability, albeit a bit messy, it’s best to stick to sanding as your first step.