If you’re thinking of painting your furniture, here are five factors to keep in mind before making a decision you may potentially regret!
Is unpainted furniture really worth more than painted furniture? Keep reading to find out my take on the matter.
I’m ALL about painting furniture, but before you go slapping paint on that old dresser let’s consider a few things. These questions will help you decide if painting your furniture is worth it or if you’re risking devaluing it with paint.
1. Determine the value: sentimental vs resale
When asking the question, “Does painting furniture decrease the value?”, we have to first define “value”, now don’t we. Value could be the price that someone else would pay for the piece of furniture as is. In contrast, the item’s worth could lie in the sentimental value the owner assigns to it.
If it’s a family heirloom with no consideration in being sold, then value isn’t determine by what a similar piece is selling for. Value is determine on how the owner is USING it in their space and if they’re LOVING it.
If the wood look just isn’t your thing, but a fun, bold color would allow you to bring grandma’s old buffet into your home as a focal point to keep adding to its special memories … paint it! In the sentimental case when you aren’t considering selling the item, no matter how special a piece may be, if it’s just sitting in your garage collecting dust then it’s worthless!
This black vanity is a great example. This was a client owned piece and family heirloom. It had been sitting unused for many years before this painted makeover. Now it’s a centerpiece in my client’s bedroom and she uses it frequently. In this case, painting increased the “value” because the worth lied in the owner’s eyes and use.
However, if your answer to the “is it sentimental?” question is “no” then perhaps you should consider the resale value before painting.
2. Look for a maker’s mark and research its worth
Before you get painting take a peek inside the side of the drawers or on the back to see if it has a maker’s mark. Look out for Drexel, Broyhill Sculptra or Brasilia, Dixie, Kent Coffey, White Furniture Co. to name a few. If you’re on the fence about painting your furniture do a little research.
Taylor, from New Iterations (who, in my opinion, is one of the most knowledgeable furniture refinishers in the IG space) suggests removing drawers and inspecting the piece inside and out.
“You never know when you’ll find a certificate of authenticity crammed in weird places or a business card from an antique store listing the sale price. These finds have convinced me to leave a piece completely untouched, because in specific cases even a restoration could devalue the piece.If there are no marks or certificates, clues like joinery, saw patterns or type of nails used can give you clues on how to date your piece.”
– Taylor, New Iterations. (Link to her Instagram page)
Need more vintage furniture resources? The Vintage Furniture Guide has a great extended list of big names and more details on the value of certain vintage furniture brands.
Try listing it as is first
Another rule of thumb Taylor follows is to keeping a rotating door of a few pieces in stock so you don’t feel pressure to make an immediate decision. If you come across a piece in great condition, you can always list it as is first. If there are no bites, you can always decide to refinish it later.
Research sites like Chairish or get it appraised
Use your resources available to you to see what the value of the unpainted version might go for. Let’s say, the dresser that you don’t love would for $6,000. Would that make you want to sell it? Furniture with little sentimental value, but a big name or signs of being a true antique should at least make you pause. Consider selling these types of pieces so someone who values them as is can enjoy it. But if selling the item is a hard no then you have some other factors to consider… keep reading 😉
Purists will tell you to stop painting vintage and antique furniture
Let me make it clear, I’m not a purist and judge NO ONE for painting a Drexel. However, I wouldn’t recommend painting a high end brand as a quick fix to sell. If you don’t plan on restoring it with very high quality products, don’t have the skills to do so in a semi-professional manner or don’t plan to love it for a long, long time then it might be worth passing it along with its original charm. It’s true, you can devalue furniture by painting it (and in rare cases, even trying to restore it). Plus, it may not be worth your effort to paint furniture if you can sell it for more as is.
3. How’s the condition? Paint can cover up a lot of imperfections
Maybe it’s a no-name and doesn’t fall into the big bucks resale category… If it’s got more repairs than are in your wheelhouse and you’d have to pay a professional a price you can’t afford to get it to the point of presentable … paint it! Paint can cover up a lot of imperfections that can’t be stained. If someone changes their mind down the road the piece can always be stripped and re-veneered by an experienced refinisher with the right skill set.
4. If it’s a cheap piece, are you really extending its life by painting it?
Sure, you can paint laminate and particle board, but is it worth it? In my humble opinion, I paint furniture to extend its life, so probably not. So if you’re starting with lower quality furniture to begin with you have to consider how much life it even has? I’m not saying don’t paint it. Weigh your options if it’s worth your time and product costs for how much life you expect to get out of it.
My unpopular opinion on furniture hacks…
I will insert my unpopular opinion here… brace yourself… I’m not a fan of cheap furniture hacks, including IKEA furniture hacks (*gasp* and cover mouth with hand). But it’s for this reason! I don’t see the point in making new, cheap furniture prettier. There are plenty of second-hand pieces available at a similar price-point that could use that kind of attention. Instead, a cheap furniture hack is just playing into the fast furniture consumerism. Unless you have obtained the piece second-hand or are trying to stretch the life of your college furniture, I’m not a fan.
5. Aim to prevent landfill additions and reduce fast-furniture consumption
If it means painting something that you already own to buy you time so you can save up for a newer, high quality item then go for it! I love the idea that a little paint on existing pieces might decrease the need for fast furniture even a teensy bit.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to flip furniture for profit I recommend seeking out higher quality items. (Think solid wood and dovetail drawers). Unless you are quite literally saving something from a landfill, then oh em gee! Check for bugs and paint away, my friend! All “rules” are out the window on curbside-trash-day-finds because no matter what you do it will be a trash to treasure story.
Educate yourself before picking up the paint brush
As you’ve probably gathered, if you need an excuse to paint your furniture there are a zillion to choose from. This post isn’t meant to prevent you from painting your furniture. It’s just so you can do so in an educated and thoughtful approach (i.e. braving yourself for the trolls and purists or avoiding missing out on a higher sale price with less work).
But what about the trolls?
If you’ve considered all the factors about whether you should paint your furniture and all signs are pointing to, “don’t paint it,” yet you still have a burning desire to grab a paint brush… I support you!
All I’m suggesting is to not be impulsive with painting furniture and to first, educate yourself. Regardless if you decide to paint a flamboyance of flamingos on a Broyhill Brasilia simply to express yourself, I will have your back from any trolls giving you grieve. After all, it’s yours (or your client’s). Do with it what you please (or what they pay you to do). If you need tips on a brush free finish check out my “How to Achieve a Smooth Finish” post here.
If all the “you ruined it” trolls were as determined to save every last piece of wooden furniture from paint as they are to writing a nasty comment on every IG reel with the hashtag #furnitureflip …. I probably wouldn’t be winning so many $10 bids at estate sales, now would I? Forget the trolls. Paint or not, go make something beautiful and let’s cut back on fast furniture!
Girl Behind the Blog
I’m Jess, the creator of Oak & Grain. A mid-west girl at heart who now resides in Raleigh, NC. I love finding old things and giving them new purpose by way of refinishing or incorporating unexpected, overlooked thrift store finds in the modern home. I work full-time in medicine and I love dipping into my creative side and in the process, keeping my sanity. Follow me on Instagram and YouTube to see more behind the scenes action.
10 responses to “Don’t Paint Your Furniture Before Considering These 5 Important Factors”
Well stated, Jess! I did not buy a piece of furniture twice in the past couple years because when I saw it. I KNEW I couldn’t paint it and I didn’t have room to keep it, so I let it go. These were definitely gorgeous high name brand antiques in beautiful shape (think Lindsay at Forever Pink Vintage” type of pieces). Yet, if that same piece had peeling veneer, many repairs, etc I would look at it very differently. Anyway, I love to paint and stain and I will ignore the trolls. Great entry! Thanks for the thoughtfulness involved. 😊
Exactly! There are so many things to consider and thankfully, so many options when it comes to refinishing pieces. I think that’s why I love it so much. Thanks so much for your kind comment!
Love the raw honesty!! Great info!
Thanks so much for reading! There is no right or wrong, that’s for sure. Just like to educate myself to see both sides of the matter.
What a great website and comments. Your work is really beautiful.
Thank you so much for being here, Maggie! <3
I love this information! Thank you
Thanks, Donna! I learned lots of good tid-bits while writing this. If anything, I wanted to educate myself so I don’t overlook the possibility that I’m doing more harm than good. I appreciate your kind comment <3
Love this Jess! Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks so much for reading, Jenna!