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Furniture paint ideas to revamp and reclaim

By Ellie Reeves | 14th March 2025 | 7 min read

From jazzing up dull dining furniture to making a more desirable space to store the little one’s toys, we have all the techniques to help you salvage forgotten furniture. Kickstart your renovation project with these furniture upcycle ideas. We’ve got plenty of paint colours for a furniture facelift, from honey yellow to bohemian rose. Check out our article, how to use renovation paint effectively, for tips and advice on painting furniture.

A kitchen with dark blue painted kitchen cabinets, the splashback has been painted the same colour to match.A kitchen with dark blue painted kitchen cabinets, the splashback has been painted the same colour to match.A kitchen with dark blue painted kitchen cabinets, the splashback has been painted the same colour to match.A kitchen with dark blue painted kitchen cabinets, the splashback has been painted the same colour to match.

1. Spruce up your kitchen with cupboard paint

A kitchen isn’t just a place to prepare food. It’s where you make those memories you never forget. You know, like, that time the pancake stuck to the ceiling on Shrove Tuesday, or that time you dropped the birthday cake that took hours to decorate. Not so funny at the time, but in hindsight? Hilarious. Renovating a kitchen can be an expensive endeavour. However, painting cabinets and replacing door handles will give you a fresh new look for a fraction of the cost.

Brighten up your cooking space with our emerald green cupboard paint, or create a calm kitchen with our navy blue cupboard paint. A popular trend right now is painting wall cabinets and base cabinets different colours. We’ve got loads of shades to choose from, so you’ll easily find the perfect match. In just one day you can totally transform the look of your kitchen - a low-cost option for a high impact look.

Check out our step-by-step guide to painting kitchen cupboards.

A grey dining room with an upcycled round grey dining table and upcycled wooden dining chairs painted in grey.A grey dining room with an upcycled round grey dining table and upcycled wooden dining chairs painted in grey.A grey dining room with an upcycled round grey dining table and upcycled wooden dining chairs painted in grey.A grey dining room with an upcycled round grey dining table and upcycled wooden dining chairs painted in grey.

2. Furniture to dine for

Tired of looking at the same old dining table and chairs every time you sit down to eat? With just a flick of the paint brush, you can give your lacklustre furniture a new lease of life. This is your chance to experiment with patterns and shades to create something that is truly unique.

With our renovation paint, you can paint your wooden dining table any colour your heart desires. From stylish grey to vibrant orange, we’ve got loads of shades to choose from. Want to create a shabby chic style? Paint your dining table white and go over it with sandpaper to create a rustic look. Or leave the tabletop bare, and only paint the legs. Who says everything needs to be the same colour? If you’re feeling adventurous, paint your dining chairs different colours – instantly giving your space an east-London brunch bar vibe.

A wooden side table with drawers that has been upcycled, the drawer fronts have been painted in cream and pale pink to create an ombre effect.A wooden side table with drawers that has been upcycled, the drawer fronts have been painted in cream and pale pink to create an ombre effect.A wooden side table with drawers that has been upcycled, the drawer fronts have been painted in cream and pale pink to create an ombre effect.A wooden side table with drawers that has been upcycled, the drawer fronts have been painted in cream and pale pink to create an ombre effect.

3. This season’s trend: ombre obsession

Spend five minutes scrolling through Pinterest for bedroom ideas. We guarantee you’ll find at least a dozen chest of drawers painted in a series of shades. Not only do they look stunning, they’re also surprisingly easy to recreate. You don’t need to be the next Picasso to do it yourself. Paint each drawer a different shade and it will trick your eyes into thinking the colours have been blended.

If vibrant colours are your thing, you could opt for a Tequila Sunrise inspired palette and let hues of yellow meld into a deep orange. Or maybe you’d prefer to mix shades of blue and aquamarine for an Under the Sea colour scheme. Practice on a plain sheet of paper until you find your preferred combination. It looks best if you start with a dark shade at the bottom and gradually get lighter towards the top.

A hallway with black walls, a painted black staircase and dark wooden flooring.A hallway with black walls, a painted black staircase and dark wooden flooring.A hallway with black walls, a painted black staircase and dark wooden flooring.A hallway with black walls, a painted black staircase and dark wooden flooring.

4. Stairs to make them stare

If you want to wow your guests – upcycling a wooden staircase is a good way to go about it. It’s usually the first thing you see when you walk through the front door – so let the stairs speak for themselves. Make sure you sand, scrub and treat them before painting. It’s also important to ensure you pick a paint that will withstand a lot of wear and tear, such as our floor & stair paint. We recommend you don’t choose anything with a gloss finish – as that could result in a few tumbles.

The options are endless when it comes to painting staircases. Create a fake runner or use stencils to add detail – especially if you’re not brave enough to go freehand. Paint an ombre staircase, or create a rainbow stairway by painting the risers in different colours. Need some more inspiration? Step up your décor style with these painted stairs ideas.

Mini wooden tabletop drawers with geometric-patterned, upcycled drawer fronts.Mini wooden tabletop drawers with geometric-patterned, upcycled drawer fronts.Mini wooden tabletop drawers with geometric-patterned, upcycled drawer fronts.Mini wooden tabletop drawers with geometric-patterned, upcycled drawer fronts.

5. Think outside the box

Let’s be honest, when we think of storage boxes, the last word that comes to mind is attractive. They’re normally kept as plain as possible and stored strictly out of sight. Here’s an idea, why not make a feature out of storage boxes? It’ll make the process of tidying less tedious – and you may find that your children are more willing to pack away their toys!

To create a geometric toy box, all you need is some masking tape and two or three paint colours. You could choose a metallic shade too for added detail. Put aside a couple of hours with the kids and get creative. Not only will you end up with a funky geometric box to store toys and games – you’ll have had a fun crafternoon with the little ones too.

Digital Content Writer Ellie Reeves

Ellie Reeves

Digital Content Writer

Ellie is a content writer with over six years of experience in home décor and DIY. She’s on a mission to help people create a home they love. Big on dopamine décor and colourful accessories, she’s all about adding personality to every space...Read more