Celebrating Painted Furniture: Adding Character to Wood-Filled Rooms
Celebrating Painted Furniture: Adding Character to Wood-Filled Rooms
In a world currently obsessed with natural wood—mellow oak, stripped-back pine, and those quiet, neutral tones—it can feel like painted furniture has fallen out of favour.
But what if, rather than shying away from colour, we used it to bring something truly personal into our homes?
Let’s take a moment to go back in time. Painting furniture has long been part of the home—sometimes to improve a less-than-perfect piece of pine, other times as a way of marking an occasion, like a marriage or the birth of a child. Think of Swedish marriage chests, beautifully decorated and full of symbolism. This was the essence of “make do and mend,” breathing new life into what was already there—upcycling furniture before it had a name.
An example of how painted furniture looks so wonderful when paired with old pine in a cottage core style room - photo credit Annie Sloan
A Room Full of Character
So, where does that leave us now?
Picture a room with a gentle blend of natural wood—an old oak table perhaps—sitting alongside a piece you’ve transformed yourself. That orange pine chest of drawers, that dated sideboard… before you give up on them, try looking again.
What are the bones of the piece like? Does it have a good shape? Would you love it again if it simply looked a little different?
This is where Chalk Paint® and painted furniture come into their own.
Create Something Unique
It’s a wonderfully versatile way to refresh old furniture and add real character to your space. You can keep it simple with one colour for a calm, contemporary feel, or build up layers for a rustic, chippy, timeworn finish.
Stencils, freehand flourishes, colour washes—this is your chance to create something truly unique.
Whether your style is rustic and distressed, bold and colourful, or more mid-century modern, painting furniture gives you the freedom to express yourself—and to extend the life of your furniture in the process.
No Fuss, Just Paint
And the best part?
There’s no fuss. No sanding, no priming in most cases. Just choose your colour and get painting.
You don’t have to follow the crowd. Upcycling furniture with Chalk Paint® is the perfect way to bring personality back into our wood-filled interiors—one painted piece at a time.
Want to Try It for Yourself?
If you're ready to give it a go but not sure where to begin, why not join me for my next
Chalk Paint® Workshop for Beginners on Sunday 15th June here in Devon?
It’s a relaxed, hands-on day that will give you the confidence to tackle your own transformation.
👉 Book your place here – spaces are filling up fast!
