Easy DIY Projects on a Dime: Brightly Painted Furniture

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Winner is #23:  Shary.  Congrats!

You know how much I love to update old furniture with paint. It’s one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to update and transform furniture into something desirable.  I’ve been painting furniture for years and now there are so many new products out there to help this process along.  From spray paint to chalk paint, there is a paint for all occasions.

The trend in the last couple of years has continued to evolve by painting those old castoffs with brightly color hues.  It’s a great way to add that pop of color in the room to really wake up your space.  I myself totally love this trend!

My sister found that table and chairs set on Craigslist for $100 and it is the perfect addition to her craft room.  But, it’s kinda ugly, don’t you think?  and pssst, there’s a $50 Home Depot giftcard giveaway at the end, so read it all, OK?!

Not a fan of blonde orangey wood, are you?

So, we are going to transform those pieces and make them SO much better.  With this luscious new Barcelona Orange shade by Annie Sloan chalk paint, this table and chairs will have a whole new lease on life.

Ready to start painting.

We painted 2 coats of Annie Sloan chalk paint on these pieces and the finish is really nice after the 2 coats are applied.  I am really loving the ASCP so much and want to use it more and more on many other pieces.  This was my first time using it on furniture and it does have a very dry chalk like feel when dry.

Amazingly smooth finish too, but it needs wax.  I am going to finish this set up with Annie Sloan Dark Wax on top and that should complete this Craigslist find into a functional and pretty craft table.  I’ll be back later to show how we waxed it!

By the way, you can order Annie Sloan chalk paint from my sponsor, Stylish Patina, and her button is on my sidebar.  As soon as I get that Dark Wax, we’ll finish this project and I’ll do a how-to on the whole thing.   I did add some clear wax on the table, which is what you see here, but the Dark wax will complete the look.

So, are you liking this new trend of brightly painted furniture?  I think it is such a fun way to add some pretty pizazz to otherwise bland and dated furniture, don’t you? 

Here are some more great examples around blogland of brightly painted hues of furniture pieces.  See what you think about these!

This turquoise beauty is from Natty by Design and she has it going on with painting older pieces of furniture that need a new life.

From Country Living, see how that pop of orange on the coffee table adds so much spunk to the room.  You can see bits of the same color on the pillows sprinkled around the room too.

My blog friend, Emily, painted this campaign dresser for her office in a springy green and it is a great mix for her space.  I can’t wait to see what she does in her new office.

From Design Sponge, this dresser started off as a standard issue brown wood French inspired piece.  There’s certainly nothing wrong with brown wood, I have plenty of it myself, but if you have a piece that has seen better days, what better way to shake it up than to paint it a sunny yellow.

I have always adored the way Myra transformed this vintage desk into something so pretty and lively for her home.  Love it!

From Opal Never Shouts, this blue painted chest is such a vibrant color and perfectly at home with the other colors surrounding it in the room.

This jewelry chest came in a cherry finish and was transformed by Repurposed Life Designs  in a happy yellow and how much more fun would this be to wake up to?

From Good Life of Design, here’s another example of an older piece brought up to date with this meadow green paint.  I’m in love with green painted anything, so this is so pretty to me.

I’m partnering up with Apartment Guide today on this project and there’s something fun in it for you.  Get more for your dollar by using second-hand pieces. Follow Apartment Guide’s steps to find the right antiques or vintage items for your place.

Whether you’re living, looking or moving, ApartmentGuide offers how-to tips for making the most of your space on a budget.

We’re also giving away a $50 Home Depot giftcard to one lucky reader!  You can do a lot with $50 at Home Depot.

To be eligible for the $50 giftcard giveaway, just leave a comment here on THIS post telling me what you would like to update around your house if you are the winner!

•  If you’re ready for a whole new space or looking to move, ApartmentGuide has the photos, floor plans, features and tips to help you find the perfect apartment community.

• “Like” Apartment Guide on Facebook at Facebook.com/apartmentguide, follow them on Twitter @AptGuide and “circle” them on Google+ for real-time tips and updates on making the most of your space.

•  Let Apartment Guide help you create your own budget-friendly design by following their tips for decorating on a dime.

• Want to find even more design tips for your home? Apartment Guide has budget friendly ideas and DIY how-tos for people in any sized home on Moving Today and the blog at Apartment Guide.

Apartment Guide has a fun sweepstakes going on too!

Do you prefer a cozy night in or a night out on the town? No matter your preference, enter Apartment Guide’s Night In or Night Out Sweepstakes for a chance to win your perfect evening.

Enter today to win! Visit Apartment Guide on Facebook to submit your entry.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Sweepstakes ends @ 9:00 PM ET on 2/14/12. Must be a US legal resident of the 50 US or DC and 18 years of age or older. Sweepstakes subject to full Official Rules available at www.facebook.com/apartmentguide. Void where prohibited.

Disclosure Statement:
Apartment Guide and owner Consumer Source, Inc. partnered with bloggers such as me to participate in their monthly blogger programs.  As part of that program, I received compensation with giftcards.  They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products used, and believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

- Rhoda