The Best Tips for Painting Furniture Black (Free Checklist!)
A Beginner Guide to Painting a Dresser Black
Don’t start your next furniture project without my best tips for painting furniture black to make the whole process faster and easier!
Do you feel like painting furniture dark colors is a hassle? All those extra coats to get full coverage can mean more time painting, more drips, and too many brush marks.
I used to feel the same but now even painting wood furniture black is so relaxing to me. Plus, it’s cheaper than therapy!
Fortunately, after several paint jobs with dark paint, I’ve found what works and have made enough mistakes to know what doesn’t! Even if this is your first time painting furniture, this blog post will show you easy hacks to get great coverage without sacrificing a stunning finish.
LET ME SHOW YOU:
- Why having a piece of black-painted furniture in a room will completely ground the decor and bring the whole color scheme together.
- A step-by-step guide on how to paint a dresser black without sacrificing a strong, smooth surface.
- The best black paint for furniture and other supplies
- Some encouragement if you are going through a hard time and wonder if things will ever get better in this week’s Renovate Your Faith devotional at the end of this post.
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What’s So Hard about Painting Wood Furniture Black?
Fortunately, when painting dark wood furniture, there are a few tricks to minimize the number of coats, give you full coverage with a smooth finish and not cost you a fortune. Extreme shades of paint don’t cover very well as I mentioned in my post on How to Paint Furniture White.
That’s especially the case with black shades because it takes more coats to get full saturation of the solid color. Also, furniture pieces in both black and white shades seem to show surface imperfections more easily.
Fortunately, this blog post has you covered when it comes to the best method for painting wood furniture black.
Why Consider Painting Furniture Black?
My mother-in-law Kathy is quite the natural at decorating and she once told me that “Every room needs a touch of something black.” I thought it was a little odd until I tried it and it’s SO true!
Adding a touch of black to a room is a staple among designers’ essential principles. Black is like a palette cleanser that grounds the space and makes the rest of the colors come to life.
When the space has both extremes of contrast, it makes the colors more prolific. For example, adding a black piece of furniture to a light and airy room keeps it from being too bland and gives the room so much interest and flavor.
A single piece of black furniture in a room adds the right amount of life without anyone noticing.
The Best Black Paint for Furniture (It’s Not Chalk Paint!)
Your furniture finish will only turn out as good as the products you use. Because there are so many furniture paints on the market, I decided to test brands from every category myself to give you more information when picking the right type of paint for your project.
Here is how brands like Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, Dixie Belle, Fusion Mineral Paint, Sherwin Williams paints and several other brands performed: The Best Paint for Furniture (24 Brands Blind Tested and Reviewed)
The brand that consistently performed as the best black furniture paint was Benjamin Moore Advance (I’m not paid in any way shape or form to say that). Not only does it have the most durable finish and great coverage but it had the smoothest finish that didn’t show brush strokes or roller marks.
BM Advance is an acrylic alkyd paint meaning it has the positives of oil paint without the negatives. You can get it at your local Benjamin Moore store. For more good options, see the link above to get the right paint for your project.
Related Posts: Why I Don’t Use Chalk Paint on Furniture | The Difference Between Milk Paint, Chalk Paint, and Latex Paint | A Better Alternative to Chalk Paint for Furniture | The Best Paint Options for Furniture (24 Brands Tested)
Best Black Furniture Paint Colors
When it comes to looking for the best black dresser paint, there are several shades of black to choose from and it can get pretty confusing if you don’t already know some reliable colors to pick from.
Some of my favorite black paint colors are Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black, Benjamin Moore Jet Black, Sherwin Williams Black Box, and Benjamin Moore Black Beauty.
Did you know that most paint stores have the color codes of other paint brands in their computers? That means you can get any Sherwin Williams color option in Benjamin Moore Advance paint. Just tell them the Sherwin Williams color at the Benjamin Moore paint color.
☑️ Must-Have Painting Tips For FUrniture – FREE Checklist!
As a free gift for subscribing to the weekly newsletter, I will send you my best tricks for furniture painting. These are the tips that consistently save me the most time and effort while getting a beautiful finish every single time. Many of them are included in this post but not all of them! JUST CLICK HERE to download my Must-Have Painting Tips in a Printable Checklist.
Supplies for THe Best Way to Paint Furniture Black
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How To Paint Furniture Black (and Navy)
It’s so much fun to take a thrift store find and turn it into a pice that looks brand new. This is an old dresser I got off Facebook Marketplace. This chest of drawers was actually in really great shape and needed no repairs at all before sanding. It just needed a change of color with a fresh coat of paint!
If you do have an old furniture piece that has holes or deep scratches, be sure to check out this post on how to use a wood filler before painting: A Beginner’s Guide to Fixing Damaged Furniture
There is a video tutorial in this blog post that features the exact same process but with a different furniture piece, my grandmother’s vintage dresser I painted last year. The video should pop up but if it doesn’t, you can find it here: How to Paint Furniture Darker Colors, YouTube Video
Step 1: Prep Work for Painting Wood Furniture Black
Stop! Before you do anything…take a before pic. When you are done, post the before and after pics on Instagram or FB and tag me @renovatedfaith, so I can see the amazing work you’ve done! ❤️
After you remove your hardware, be sure to put it in a baggie for safekeeping. Those screws have a tendency to roll away at the worst possible time!
After you cover your work area, run an electric sander over your piece just enough to rough up the surface with a low-grit sanding pad or a foam sanding block. (Low grit sandpaper is anything from around 60-120).
Remember, you are not sanding off the old stain or paint. We are just giving the entire surface of the dresser a light sanding by making it more porous and less slick so the new primer and paint cling to the surface.
As I mentioned in my post How to Sand Furniture, you shouldn’t need to spend more than about 5 minutes sanding an entire piece of furniture.
I say that because I don’t want you to waste a lot of time and elbow grease because the primer will do most of the work for us. However, it’s still worthwhile to sand.
(If your furniture piece is too large to move to the garage or outdoors to sand, check the FAQ section.)
WHAT SANDER SHOULD YOU BUY? If you are unsure of the best sander for furniture projects, I prefer using a palm or mouse sander over an orbital sander because you have more control. You can find an easy-to-use sander here: Best Mouse Sander for Furniture Projects
There won’t be much sanding dust with the electric sander I mention above, but you want to use a damp cloth or tack cloth to remove any sanding dust and give it a good cleaning.
This will ensure that the dust does not end up in the final finish of our beautifully painted dresser! I forgot to mention this in the video above, but wipe from the top down to minimize dust in the finish
RENOVATE YOUR FAITH: What’s In A Name?
God never leaves a project half-done…He continually works on each one of us, as a lavish expression of His amazing love and grace. So many of my DIY projects remind me of how God renovates our hearts. If you are a work-in-progress, just like I am, check out the Renovate Your Faith Devotional at the bottom of this post on how to paint a dresser black. Click here to get a weekly reminder of new posts by email.
Step 2: How To Prime Furniture Before Painting With Black or Dark Paint
The next step when painting furniture black is to prime the whole piece.
“Do I need to primer furniture before painting it black?”
Priming is important because it helps the paint stick to the old finish so it never peels.
As I’ve heard it said, “Primer sticks to things, and paint sticks to primer.” Priming doesn’t add any extra work because a coat of primer replaces one coat of paint.
One of my best time-savers for painting black furniture pieces is using a tinted primer. You can do this by buying Zinnser Bullseye 123 in gray or by having your local hardware store tint the primer for you.
Primer usually comes in white but the advantage of using a darker primer is that going from a gray primer to black paint is not a big jump in color. But going from a white primer to a dark paint color would take more coats of paint, which means more effort, cost, and time on your part.
Because of this, I keep Zinnser Bullseye 123 in white and in dark gray on hand as painting with a darker primer is a great way to save on paint coats!
Simply ask them at the paint counter to tint it to a dark gray by picking out any dark gray paint swatch. I know Lowe’s will do this but I haven’t tried at Home Depot yet.
I like to apply most of my primer and paint with a roller, because it gives you an incredibly smooth finish every time!
Roll on a thick coat of primer but not so thick that the surface of the paint isn’t smooth. Also, use a brush to prime any detailed areas by brushing in the direction of the grain. Your primer should only take a couple of hours to dry before it is time to paint. (If you are in a humid area, wait until the next day to paint).
A TIP FOR PAINTING DRESSERS WITH SPINDLE LEGS: This is adding an extra step but this step will save you so much time if your dresser has milled legs with lots of details. They can take forever to paint and prime so I use a shortcut you can find here: How to Paint Table Legs – The Easy Way
Step 3: How Do You Paint a Piece of Furniture Black?
Now that your primer is dry, it’s time for your first coat of paint. I like to use my roller and the Zibra brush for any corners or details.
It can be tempting to put on a really thick coat of paint to get good coverage but it’s important to work in thin coats. Light coats will give you the smoothest finish possible.
Notice below and in the video tutorial that your first coat will be very transparent. That’s ok – it will even out with the second coat! Just get the paint on and smooth it out with the roller.
Give the first enough time to dry. (See the back of the can for a rough estimate on dry times for your paint brand.) The dry time on Benjamin Moore Advance is 16 hours. That’s the only negative about the paint but it works out well to just do a coat a day. Trust me; it’s worth the wait!
Apply an additional coat or coats until you get to full coverage of black paint. Extra coats are just par for the course when painting furniture black but we have saved at least two coats of black paint by using our gray primer.
Should You Use a Clear Coat After Painting Furniture Black?
You can add a clear coat but I only recommend it on high-use furniture pieces like coffee tables or dining tables because Benjamin Moore Advance is so durable.
You could also add a clear coat just to the top of the dresser, where it is most likely to get watermarks. Simply use a foam brush and brush in the direction of the wood grain in long strokes.
The most important thing to remember is to not pick up your brush in the middle of a stroke. Go from one side to another without lifting the brush for each stroke of the clear coat
I like to use a satin finish of clear coat but it also comes in a matte finish. Here is my favorite clear coat for furniture, which is so much easier to apply and more durable than clear or black wax: Varathane Water-Based Polyurethane
Related: The Best Clear Coat for Furniture
Painted Black Furniture, Before and After
RENOVATE YOUR FAITH: God Hasn’t Finished With You Yet
As I was working on this tallboy dresser, I thought once again about how life is like one big furniture flip…or lots of little ones depending on how you look at it or what you’re going through.
God so graciously transforms life’s messes into something full of beauty and purpose if we let Him.
Giving over bad habits and addictions to God is never easy but without God, it’s impossible. Sometimes we come to a place of transformation out of pure necessity. We learn that our old coping mechanisms and vices are no longer working and even make matters worse.
As we begin to allow God to transform us, we go through the painful process of handing over our old habits to trade for healthier ones. I learned during a time of anxiety that sometimes things get worse before they get better.
So often, the deep-set tendencies that are destroying us are the ones that we struggle to cling to the most.
But God never asks us to give up something that He will not replace with something far better.
Just like this dresser, sometimes things look the worst mid-transformation but we can rest in knowing that this too shall pass. God isn’t going to leave this project half done but will finish what He has started in you.
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
If you found yourself in the middle of an overhaul, hold on tight, the best is yet to come – just like the final transformation of this dresser. You can rest in knowing that God never asks us to give up something He will not replace with something far better.
For more spiritual encouragement, click here for the rest of my project posts that also include Renovate Your Faith devotionals.
If you are looking for something to listen to while working on furniture, check out my post on the Best Christian Podcasts for Women. Sometimes I joke that furniture painting is cheaper than therapy but in all honestly it’s not only cheaper but probably more effective since I listen to these podcasts which encourage me in my faith.
FaQ’s: Painting Wood Furniture Black
How to Paint Furniture Black Like Pottery Barn Furniture
To get the rustic modern look of black Pottery Barn furniture, be sure to pick a matte black finish. The matte sheen will give the paint finish a flat look which is the biggest trend in furniture now.
What is the Difference Between Black Paint and Black Wood Stain for Furniture?
Paint sits on the top surface of the wood and covers it. But black stain penetrates the surface a little bit so you can see the details of the wood grain. To get the look of black paint with the brown grain showing through, I recommend scuff sanding and using a black wood stain from General Finishes.
What Kind of Paint Do You Use On A Dresser?
There are several types of paint you can use on furniture but not all of them will give you a finish that is gorgeous and durable enough for a dresser or old desk! I didn’t opt for black chalk paint on this piece because chalk paint ended up testing the worst of all the paints I tested.
Instead, the top paint was actually a hybrid that has the positives of oil-based paint but the easy cleanup of water-based paint. To see why I used Benjamin Moore Advance and how the other paints performed, click here: The Best Paints for Furniture (24 Brands Blind-Tested and Reviewed)
Can I Paint A Wood Dresser Black with Spray Paint?
Spray painting furniture black can be cost-prohibitive, especially for larger pieces of furniture. Also, you are going to have trouble getting a consistent sheen on large flat surfaces that are spray painted. However, it is an excellent option for a small piece of furniture like a stool or a chair with lots of spindles: The Best Black Spray Paint for Wood Furniture
My Best Tips for Spray Painting Furniture Hardware
For my favorite tips and tricks on getting a flawless finish every time with spray paint, click here for your free checklist: Best Tips & Tricks for Spray Paint Anything
How Can You Paint Furniture Black Without Sanding?
I’m kind of a stickler for sanding furniture because if you don’t sand a furniture piece and it peels, you will have to remove all the peeling paint and repeat the entire process. That’s over twice the work for the cost of not scuff sanding for 5 minutes. Ok, I’m getting off my soap box now.
Even I will admit that there are times that you can’t sand furniture. If you have a very large piece of furniture you might want to refinish it in place. Or maybe your weather isn’t conducive to painting the piece in your garage this time of year. Either way, you have a couple of great options.
How to Paint a Dresser Black Without Sanding
‘No Sand’ Option 1: Sand using a foam sanding block but wet it first. This will cut down on any dust and the dust it does produce will not be airborne. Also, keep in mind that of your furniture piece has a high gloss finish, you really need to sand.
No Sand Option 2: You can use a furniture deglosser like this one: Furniture Deglosser If you go the deglosser route, still prime as normal to make sure you have the best adhesion possible.
Wondering How to Paint Black Furniture a Lighter Color?
If you are wanting to go from black paint to white paint or other light colors, I have just the post for you: How To Paint Black Furniture White
How To Paint A Dresser Black That Has Already Been Painted
The process for painting wood furniture is the exact same for painting furniture that is already painted. Follow the tutorial here and your furniture project will look amazing.
Can Wood Furniture Be Painted Black?
You can paint wood furniture any color you’d like but make sure you use the right tools. I prefer using a foam roller and brush to paint furniture. If you have a paint sprayer and a good setup outdoors, you can use it also but there is definitely a learning curve to getting a great paint finish with a sprayer.
What is the Best Black Furniture Paint Color?
To find the best black paint color for your furniture project, get a few different paint color ships and look at them in natural light. I like to lay them on the flooring in the same location of your furniture piece. This helps to get the right black paint since it’s in the same lighting and color surroundings as your furniture.
For true black color options, check out Tricorn Black, Black Magic or Caviar (all by Sherwin Williams). For a soft back or coal black, I like Kendall Charcoal or Iron Mountain.
How Do You Seal Black Paint on Furniture?
If you use a really good paint, you don’t have to use a sealant on black furniture. However, if it’s a piece that will get lots of use or is in a high-traffic area, you might want to add a thin coat of a clear coat. I really like how Varathane Waterproof Clear Coat works on dark colors.
Can I paint my furniture black?
I recently had a friend get an estimate to have her son’s dresser painted black and she was quoted $450. You can so it for so much less by doing it yourself. Black colors will take one of two more coats because they need more paint to cover but with a little hard work and these instructions, you can have a beautiful furniture piece in no time.
To get a gorgeous, slick surface on any furniture piece, be sure to check out these tips: My Best Tips for Painting Furniture Like a Pro
Related Posts to Painting Furniture Black
- The Ultimate Beginner’s Free Guide to Furniture Refinishing
- Why I Don’t Use Chalk Paint
- Milk Paint vs. Chalk Paint vs. Latex Paint
- Benjamin Moore Hale Navy Dresser Reveal – Tips for Painting with Darker Colors
- My Better Alternative to Chalk Paint
- Best Clear Coat for Furniture (Best Chalk Paint Top Coat)
- How To Sand Furniture in Less Than 5 Minutes
- How to Use a Jig Saw, Step-by-Step Guide
- How to Paint Laminate Furniture
- Best Sanders for Wood Furniture
- Best Painted Furniture Makeovers From Renovated Faith
- How To Build a Dining Room Table on A Budget
- How To Build a Farmhouse Coffee Table
- The Best Bare Wood for a Dining Table
- How to Gel Stain Side Tables
- The Key to a Good Ikea Hack
- How to Turn Acrylic Paint into Fabric Paint
Final Thoughts on How to Paint Furniture Black The Right Way
In this step-by-step tutorial, I show you the best way to get amazing results by painting furniture in darker colors. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to get good coverage when painting wood furniture black which usually uses several coats of new paint.
But the good news is that with this tried and true process, you can finish your project quickly while still getting the best results on your finished project without using expensive paints. It’s so exciting to see an old piece of furniture take on a new life and a new look.
If you have a DIY project coming up or are wondering how to paint furniture, be sure to download my FREE printable before you start: The Best Tips for Painting Furniture You can also see a step-by-guide for painting furniture here: A Beginner’s Guide to Furniture Painting
Painting furniture black and other dark moody hues can completely transform a room for the better. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions in the comment section or send me the before and after pics of your black furniture makeover to karin@renovatedfaith.com. I’d love to see how it turned out!
I love to hear your thoughts and questions! Scroll down to leave a comment and I WILL reply! ❤️
BLESSINGS,
KARIN
How To Paint A Dresser Black, YouTube Video
Painting a Dresser Black – Easy Beginner Guide
Karin Peters is a DIY expert and the creator of Renovated Faith. She is a furniture painter, a home design consultant, and a tenacious problem solver determined to help you transform your house into a home. With 17 years of experience with DIY home improvement, she researches and analyses professional processes to adapt them to be easy and cost-effective for DIYers. She then tests every project and product before it appears on the site in a detailed, step-by-step format. After attending Texas A&M University, she received her Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages at Southwestern Baptist Theology Seminary. Her passions unite in Renovated Faith, which shows readers how to create a home that serves them so they can pursue their God-given purposes. About Renovated Faith | Editorial Policy | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
I have a chest exactly like this one. It was my dad’s and I have been trying to figure out how best to refinish it. I love your transformation – you have given me inspiration!! Question for you – did you use a satin finish paint on this chest? Also, from the comments it seems as if you used Behr paint, not BM Advance as you mention in the post. How has it held up? Would you recommend BM over Behr for a furniture piece like this? Thank you!
Hi, I have an old dresser that I want to re-do. I want to do the majority of it very similar to the black dresser you have shown, but I would like to just stain the top of it and leave it brown. What would you recommend to use to do that? What stain? Could I finish the stain with the same seal that I finish the paint with?
Hey Miranda, Is the top already stained? You might check out these posts for the top: https://renovatedfaith.com/gelstainwood/ https://renovatedfaith.com/paint-that-looks-like-stain/ And yes, you can use the same clear coat!
Hi Karin. Love your posts & great info. !
Our church is trying to update our children’s SS classrooms. Buying new tables, but it’s hard to think of parting with super sturdy solid oak chairs —from the 50’s or 60’s. (I have a picture, but don’t know how to send it to you.). Do you know of any method we could use to paint them that would be SUPER STURDY & long-lasting? …to update the look of the oak chairs?
Thank you!
What paint brand, finish and colour did you use for your black tallboy dresser? It’s absolutely gorgeous!! 😍
Hey Sam, I don’t know the exact black but it was Behr Premium Plus Ultra in Satin. Since then, I’ve realized that Behr Marquee covers even better and I also like Sherin Williams ProClassic.
Hi Karin! Thanks for the information- love the driftwood technique- I have done a couple – love it! Have a question – going to paint a cedar chest that has been painted, would like to do a wood distressed look – would I have to strip the old paint first (not feeling that) don’t like to strip paint – what would be the best course of action?
Do you mean a raw wood look? I am working on a faux finish for that now actually! How soon are you wanting to paint it?
I really appreciate all the information you give. One question about your using a brush. It seems in the pictures you are using it on the side instead of flat in painting? The reason for this? Also have noticed what looks like a square brush which I haven’t seen mentioned.
Thanks
I love the way it turned out! I may need to buy it back! Haha j/k! Kind of! ?
Ha! It only took me a year.
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Of course! Thanks for stopping by Kathy.
What has God got to do with painting a wooden chest black?
What a wonderful post! And so perfectly timed for my own life. I’m new to your blog Karin, but I will be telling my friends to follow you! Today’s post touched me on so many levels! I’m new to this business, have started a business based on advice from a dear friend that pointed out that there really is a need for interior design for folks on a budget. My father raised me working by his side, taking time to teach me the skills to perform all sorts of handyman type task. I love seeing another woman with the same mind-set as my own. Bless you, and thank you for the free advise and sharing personal experiences. So many people are unwilling to admit that life has not been easy, which sometimes leaves the rest of us feeling alone in the quest to have a more fulfilling purposeful life!
Sincerely,
Cynthia in Dallas
Cythnia – your comment just made my day! Thank you so much. DIY projects are so analogous to life and God keeps showing more and more through them.