How To Paint Laminate Furniture

Painting furniture is a great way to update your decor or give new life to a thrift store find! But what about laminate furniture? If you’ve ever tried to just put a coat of paint on laminate furniture, you know it can bubble and peel off as soon as it starts to dry. Lame! But don’t worry, it’s not actually that hard to prevent that from happening! I recently painted the IKEA Lack tables we use as nightstands, and they turned out great! So next time you find a great piece of furniture at IKEA that doesn’t come in the color you want, get it anyway and follow this simple tutorial to learn how to paint laminate furniture!

How to paint laminate furniture tutorial: Don't pass up that great piece of furniture just because it's the wrong color!

We have been using bright red IKEA Lack tables as nightstands for a while now, and they work great, but the color just does NOT match the rest of the bedroom decor!

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So I finally decided to do something about it, and after a few coats of paint, the tables fit in much better!

How To Paint Laminate Furniture

Here’s what you need:

  • the piece of furniture you want to paint
  • fine grit sandpaper
  • primer
  • paint (either oil-based or latex is ok)
  • polyurethane finish (optional)
  • painting supplies (a brush, roller, paint sprayer, tarp, etc.)

NOTE: Make sure your primer is designed for use on glossy surfaces. The back of the can will tell you what surfaces that primer can be used on. Make sure you use a latex primer if you’re using latex paint and an oil-based primer if you’re using oil-based paint! And if you plan to finish your project with polyurethane, make sure you use an oil-based finish with oil-based paint and a water-based finish with latex paint.

Start by cleaning your furniture. I took a damp rag and wiped down all surfaces of my nightstand, and that was enough. You just want to get any dust or dirt off of the surface.

How to paint laminate furniture tutorial: Don't pass up that great piece of furniture just because it's the wrong color!

At this point if you tried to paint the table, the paint would bubble up and flake off. See how shiny the table is in the photo above? The laminate is too smooth for the new paint to adhere properly, so the first step is to rough up that laminate a bit and prime it for painting.

Grab a piece of fine grit sandpaper and lightly scratch up all surfaces of the table. Don’t sand too hard; you don’t want to go all the way through the laminate! And don’t worry about making it nice and even; the point is just to scuff up the surface everywhere so the primer has something to grip on to.

How to paint laminate furniture tutorial: Don't pass up that great piece of furniture just because it's the wrong color!

NOTE: Depending on which primer you use, you might be able to skip this sanding step and just prime your piece right away. Read the back of your can of primer and see what it says, but the sanding and scuffing only took about five minutes per table, so I personally think it’s worth it to do, regardless. But it’s not absolutely required if you hate sanding!

After you finish sanding, wipe away all the dust with a damp cloth.

Next, put a coat of primer on your table. I use Kilz Original primer for pretty much everything and I love it (and yes, it’s designed to work on glossy surfaces too!)

I used the HomeRight paint sprayer to prime the tables, and it worked great! The directions that come with the sprayer are totally clear and easy to follow; basically you just unscrew the paint bucket from the bottom of the sprayer, pour some primer in, screw it back together, plug it in, and spray! It took me maybe five minutes to give each table a full coat of primer; I’ve never painted anything so fast before in my life!

TIP: If you’re using a paint sprayer, use long sweeping motions from left to right to evenly cover the surface in paint. Go back and forth, overlapping a bit each time. If you just point the sprayer and pull the trigger you’ll end up with runs and drips that will ruin your project! Always err on the side of too little paint; it’s easy to add more later!

If you don’t have a paint sprayer, a paint brush or roller will work just fine! Try to get a solid coat of primer everywhere, but if you’re a little light in spots, don’t worry. There are a few hints of pinkish red showing through on the table below, but the color covered it all up later.

How to paint laminate furniture tutorial: Don't pass up that great piece of furniture just because it's the wrong color!

Let the primer dry for a few hours. If there are spots or drips in your primer, sand those away once it’s dried. You want a nice smooth surface to paint, or you’ll just be painting over drips and rough spots, and they will still show through in your finished piece.

I used the paint sprayer again for painting the tables, and it made quick work of the whole job! This paint sprayer comes with instructions on how to clean out the sprayer and switch colors, and it maybe took me ten minutes to get the primer cleaned out and the new color ready to go. (I used a latex paint and primer, so it all cleaned up with warm water and dish soap!)

Give your table a light coat of paint everywhere and then let it dry for a few hours. Again, if you don’t have a paint sprayer, a brush or roller will work fine for this part.

After the first coat is dry, lightly sand down any paint drips, wipe away the dust, and give it a second coat of paint.

Once the second coat of paint is dry, you’re done!

How to paint laminate furniture tutorial: Don't pass up that great piece of furniture just because it's the wrong color!

NOTE: If you want to, you can finish your project with a coat of polyurethane. I didn’t put a coat of finish on these tables, but it’s easy enough to do if you want to protect your paint job or your piece is going to be in a high-traffic area. Bonus: You can spray polyurethane through this paint sprayer, so it makes it even easier to do!

How to paint laminate furniture tutorial: Don't pass up that great piece of furniture just because it's the wrong color!

The tables look great in the bedroom now, and they actually match the linens!

NOTE: This giveaway has ended! Thanks to everyone who participated!

Disclosure:  I received a paint sprayer from HomeRight in exchange for my honest review of their product. But, seriously, this thing is amazing! I have never enjoyed painting more, and all opinions are 100% my own. I would never write a post about something I didn’t think was useful or interesting for you guys, and Practically Functional will only publish sponsored posts for companies or products I believe in! 🙂

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Jessi Wohlwend

I believe that anyone can do crafts and DIY projects, regardless of skill or experience. I love sharing simple craft ideas, step by step DIY project tutorials, cleaning hacks, and other tips and tricks all with one goal in mind: giving you the tools you need to “do it yourself”, complete fun projects, and make awesome things!

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Reader Interactions

  1. Kim Turns says

    10 years ago

    Did you have to dilute the latex paint before using it with this sprayer? I followed your link to the sprayer site and it listed it was good for stains, primers etc and other thinner type products but not latex paint.

    • Jessi Wohlwend says

      10 years ago

      Good question! I noticed that too when the sprayer showed up, but I asked my contact at the company and they said it works with all kinds of paint. Personally I haven’t yet had to dilute any paint that I put in the sprayer, but if you do need to dilute something, the sprayer comes with great instructions on exactly how much to dilute and it comes with a funnel for measuring whether or not something is too thick and needs to be diluted!

  2. Karin Peters says

    10 years ago

    I was wondering what kind of primer you used. Thanks for the tutorial. I just bought my HomeRight paint sprayer!

    • Jessi Wohlwend says

      10 years ago

      I used a standard Kilz latex based primer. Any primer will work, just make sure if your paint is oil-based, that your primer is too! And vice versa, latex primer for latex paint. 🙂 I hope you love that sprayer, it’s really awesome!

  3. Linda Larsen says

    10 years ago

    This is exactly what i am looking for! I have a laminate round table that i would like to redo and use for the grandkids. I also have my old bedroom set that I would actually be willing to do if i had a sprayer! Awesome… i am so excited! Thank you for considering me!!!!!

  4. kat ring says

    10 years ago

    I have an old yellow oak sideboard and dining table that sorely need a facelift! I would restain the tops of both and paint the lower part of the cabinet and the table legs an old or antique white!

  5. Mary says

    10 years ago

    If I go for the paint sprayer, does that mean I bring the piece out to the lawn to spray it?

    I have laminated shelving that is pretty sturdy but ugly. I really need to get busy and paint it so I can get organized!

    • Jessi Wohlwend says

      10 years ago

      I always spray paint outside, but if you don’t want to drag your shelves all the way outside you can lay down a tarp over the floor and one wall and spray inside. Just make sure you open a window and wear a mask so the fumes don’t overwhelm you! But the super nice thing about this specific paint sprayer is that it’s high volume and low pressure which basically means that there is a lot less overspray on the edges of your project. It’s pretty amazing but when I sprayed these tables there was only extra paint about an inch to the left and the right of the actual table, unlike with a can of spray paint where I’ve had about six inches of paint sprayed onto the tarp around my project!

  6. Linda Knight says

    10 years ago

    I would paint a old rocking chair.

  7. Bethany the ngnrdgrl says

    10 years ago

    Your tables look awesome, Jessi! I would totally paint some furniture I own. I have a dresser in the master that is UGLY! It is a laminate piece that I have had for probably 20 years. I totally need to get some of that kilz primer and paint it and replace the knobs with something pretty. I’m pinning your tutorial and signing up in your giveaway. Thanks for the giveaway, btw! Hope I win! Hehe! 🙂

  8. Wendy N says

    10 years ago

    I have a couple small end tables I would live to paint!

  9. Stephanie F. says

    10 years ago

    Staining the fence would be a first project.

  10. Linda Janicki says

    10 years ago

    I would paint my patio furniture that needs desperately =)

  11. Hyphen says

    10 years ago

    I would strongly consider repainting Katie’s Kitchen aide stand mixer.

      • Hyphen says

        10 years ago

        Almond. Not terrible, but I know Katie would prefer it in blue.

  12. mary anne says

    10 years ago

    Chairs!

  13. Crystal Rose says

    10 years ago

    I would paint a sculpture.

  14. Dawn says

    10 years ago

    Great post!!! I have a few laminate pieces that I am not happy with but I’m going to give this a shot! I have a laminate coffee table that has seen better days.

  15. Colleen Watson says

    10 years ago

    I would love to paint two nesting tables my mom recently “handed down” to me. They are great for our living room except for the color!! After experiencing the bubbling on an ikea table I painted, I’ve been afraid to try again and usually just live with the wrong color!

  16. Kelly says

    10 years ago

    My boyfriend and I just moved in together and neither of us have any furniture really. Today I received a hand-me-down Ikea Lack TV stand. So grateful, but it’s definitely seen better days. It definitely needs a paint job. Thanks for the post! 🙂

  17. jessie says

    10 years ago

    My first project would be to paint my old IKEA laminate dresser. Its so old and realllly needs an update. I plan to fill the weird seams, paint it, and replace the hardware!

  18. Julia says

    10 years ago

    I would have a field day with a paint sprayer!

  19. Sidney Cook says

    10 years ago

    I would use it first to spray paint some wicker baskets. Those are hard to paint by hand.

  20. Cori Westphal says

    10 years ago

    My daughters desk needs a makeover bad! But I’ve been scared to do it because I was afraid it wouldn’t turn out. I’d love to try with this!

    coriwestphal at msn dot com

  21. Carrie says

    10 years ago

    My front porch bench – they are so many little details in it that a paint sprayer is the only way to go.

  22. monica says

    10 years ago

    paint my china cabinet!

  23. Sandy says

    10 years ago

    This would be perfect for the play kitchen that I am building for my daughter for Christmas!

  24. Jen W says

    10 years ago

    Probably the dresser we bought at a garage sale this summer!

  25. Jen W says

    10 years ago

    Looks so easy!

  26. Heidi says

    10 years ago

    I don’t have a project right now, but I would have loved to have a sprayer when I was painting my kids’ lockers.

  27. Krystle says

    10 years ago

    I’ve been trying to figure how to paint my Ikea coffee table so this would be perfect!

  28. Krista Beth says

    10 years ago

    I would really like to paint a wide variety of home accessories, but most of all my future crafting desk! ^.^

  29. Jennifer N. says

    10 years ago

    I would paint my hallway and closet bookshelves.

  30. Cara says

    10 years ago

    I have been wanting to paint my kitchen table for a while and have not gotten around to it. We also have a fence that needs stained. What a help a paint sprayer would be!

  31. Kenia says

    10 years ago

    I will be re-painting a couple of my furniture.

  32. Nicki K. says

    10 years ago

    Thank you for the tutorial, have been wanting to paint some laminate furniture for a while!

  33. Allyson says

    10 years ago

    Love this paint sprayer and Home Right! Their EZ Paint Wand is like magic for painting walls! I hope I win!

  34. London Decorator says

    10 years ago

    Very handy post. I often get asked to paint the cupboards when decorating kitchens, but have in the past declined as the paint doesn’t hold on laminated surfaces. I’ll try the Kilz Original primer you recommended.

  35. Leslie Crawford says

    10 years ago

    I have soooo many things that need painting. I have been looking at a paint sprayer for some time but get so confused I end up brushing:(

  36. MaryB says

    10 years ago

    This couldn’t come at a more perfect time for me. What a great giveaway. I am planning to paint laminate covered bookshelves – lots of them!

  37. Digital Mom says

    10 years ago

    I’ve been re-doing furniture pieces like mad and would SO LOVE paint sprayer to do it with!

  38. Sarah Johnson says

    10 years ago

    I would definitely paint my black file cabinet that needs to be lightened up!

  39. Christina Kagarise says

    10 years ago

    My husband would paint anything and everything. Probably start with the cabinets

  40. Kelly Paquet says

    10 years ago

    Ikeas Shelves

  41. Sami says

    10 years ago

    I’m moving into a new place next month and planning a bunch of DIY projects. I’d be using this for end tables and media stand in the living room and dining room table!

  42. Brandy Davis says

    10 years ago

    I will paint the furniture in my daughters room.

  43. jackie says

    10 years ago

    i bought a few ikea lack tables off craigslist to redo. a sprayer might make it less intimidating for me and me a little more confident that they will come out great :o)

  44. Danielle F says

    10 years ago

    I desperately want to paint my old two person breakfast table! No more forest green base and legs – ick!

  45. Lynn Sosalla says

    10 years ago

    The Coffee Table!

  46. Neslihan says

    10 years ago

    Our bathroom cabinets needs a make over

  47. mysweetiepiepie says

    10 years ago

    I have a set of vintage metal patio furniture that could really use a new coat of paint :+)

  48. gahome2mom says

    10 years ago

    Well, I need to paint the girls bedroom. We bought the pain over the weekend. I could use some other items like the TV cart in the den and my daughters dresser. Happy Holidays

  49. Laurie says

    10 years ago

    I have an end table I would love to paint!

  50. Gianna says

    10 years ago

    I redid my living room – sewed new pillows, got a new couch, created some artwork- and I love it except for the poor little TV stand and coffee table which definitely need some TLC

  51. Chris says

    10 years ago

    my head is spinning with projects! Maybe my kitchen cabinets!!

  52. Miranda says

    10 years ago

    I would paint the furniture in our nursery! I’m expecting baby #1 in March and have purchased a rocking chair, ottoman, bookcase, and old dresser to re-purpose and make beautiful again.

  53. Dawn Monroe says

    10 years ago

    I have an old dresser Id like to paint pink for my granddaughters room.

  54. Ange says

    10 years ago

    I would paint our coffee table!!

  55. Laura says

    10 years ago

    I would possibly use it to paint one of the dressers in my room. Or, if it can be used with stain, I would re-stain our front and back porch! 🙂

    • Jessi Wohlwend says

      10 years ago

      It can definitely be used with stain and polyurethane!

  56. Glenda says

    10 years ago

    Thanks so much for the tutorial. I have a couple of these tables that need paint too but I wasn’t sure how to tackle it.

  57. Stacy Trefethen says

    10 years ago

    paint sprayer would make it easy work a painting my stairs! it would definitely be the first project I would conquer I’ve been putting it off….

  58. Alli Lee says

    10 years ago

    Im getting ready to paint my kitchen cabinets this would help out a lot!!

  59. Theresa J says

    10 years ago

    I have Ikea bookshelves that I would love to paint

  60. Maria says

    10 years ago

    This is very helpful, thank you! I teach and we have been upgrading my classroom. Some of the furniture is…let’s just say it needs lots of DIY ideas. I will be a regular at your blog looking for more!!!

    Thank you for stopping by http://www.musicteachingandparenting.com
    Maria

  61. Laura says

    10 years ago

    Bedroom furniture for my 11 year old boy’s room!

  62. candace says

    10 years ago

    i have a headboard that i want to paint for my new loft apt i am about to move into!!

  63. Kendra says

    10 years ago

    It looks great! I have some of the same tables that you painted I would love to give a facelift to!

  64. Dee says

    10 years ago

    I have a 1/2 bookcase 1/2 hutch that needs to be refinished and it is laminate. I never got rid of it because it is a nice small size that could fit anywhere. Would love to be able to make it beautiful

  65. Deb Clem-Buckert says

    10 years ago

    Thanks for sharing. There’s a table in Rosie’s room that needs to be painted. Now I know what to do!

  66. Rachelle says

    10 years ago

    I have a file cabinet that needs a facelift

  67. Kate. says

    10 years ago

    My first project would be the old-school laminate dresser I have in my basement. I love it’s style, but it needs an update before I put it in my room. It needs a splash of color to bring out its retro-funk potential!

  68. meg @ blahbloblog says

    10 years ago

    This would be perfect for spraying over all our nasty band-aid, builder’s beige walls!

  69. Emelyne King says

    10 years ago

    We bought a chest headboard from craigslist a couple of years ago that went with our queen sized bed. It’s a super shiny black laminate with a long gold hinge that you can see from the top. It’s so shiny, that you can see a bit of your reflection. It reminds me of furniture that you would see from the seventies. When we upgraded to a king size, I couldn’t let it go? It was a great place for storage for our bedding. It’s now a footboard for our bed in our bedroom that has an industrial feel to it now that I’ve remodeled with a faux brick wall and brick colored distressed, floating night stands. I’d love to paint it in a cement gray or a shade of the brick wall. Just not something so shiny.

  70. Karin says

    10 years ago

    Love then ice smooth finish of the painted table

  71. Susan says

    10 years ago

    A dresser for my son.

  72. rachael jess says

    10 years ago

    I have a couple of stools that I want to spray and cover with Star Wars material on the seats.

  73. Nicole S says

    10 years ago

    Coincidentally, my first painting project would be that same table you did! lol. I have a sky blue one that looks just like yours (from Ikea) and I want to paint it yellow for my son’s bedroom. 🙂

  74. Mantha says

    10 years ago

    I have a dresser that I need to paint.

  75. Vicki Howes says

    10 years ago

    I have an old wash stand I think I’ll tackle first.

  76. Katie Clark says

    10 years ago

    This is so smart! We have these same side tables from IKEA, but I would love to paint them!

  77. Rae says

    10 years ago

    I have a coffe table I would like to paint and cover the top with fabric to create a cute bench.

  78. Nicole Vosburgh says

    10 years ago

    My first project would be the 2 dressers in my son’s room. They are so hideous to look at.

  79. DeAnna Keller says

    10 years ago

    I would try to paint my mailbox

  80. Kathleen Richardson says

    10 years ago

    oh where would I start? I would complete the dresser set in the master bedroom and go from there.

  81. Kari says

    10 years ago

    I have wanted a paint sprayer FOREVER! I would use it to repaint the furniture in my craft room

  82. carissa says

    10 years ago

    I have a little lack table to hack as well!

  83. Heather S. says

    10 years ago

    I want to paint a cabinet to make it into a dress-up closet for my kids.

  84. Lela says

    10 years ago

    Oh gosh we have so many things to paint… Walls, ceilings and a few pieces of furniture. I could definitely use a sprayer!

  85. Marybeth says

    10 years ago

    All the things I could do . . .

  86. Jennifer Priest says

    10 years ago

    OMG that came out awesome! Love the result and by, would I love to have that sprayer for all the projects I have waiting in the wings!

  87. Debra Lee says

    10 years ago

    My nightstands!

  88. JennyMontyinSD says

    10 years ago

    I have a wicker chair that was SUCH a pain to paint the first time around, as well as a Malm white laminate dresser that needs a new life!

  89. MISSY MARIE says

    10 years ago

    I would paint an old dresser doe my daughter’s room.

  90. Deborah W says

    10 years ago

    I am re-ding my craft room and would love to paint my laminate shelves to brighten up the decor!

  91. Katie says

    10 years ago

    T-Rex’s dresser/changing table is straight unfinished wood, but it’s so big! A sprayer would make the job go faster. 🙂

  92. Candi S. says

    10 years ago

    I have an old dresser that I would love to paint.

  93. Morgan @ Modern Mommyhood says

    10 years ago

    My first project would have to be repainting our coffee table! It needs a new coat of paint soooo bad!

  94. Billie Wilson says

    10 years ago

    I will repaint my kid’s toy chest.

  95. Donna Sasser says

    10 years ago

    I want to paint a captains chair I bought at a thrift store.

  96. Summer says

    10 years ago

    If I win I am going to use the sprayer to paint my entire house – starting with my daughters bedroom.

  97. PJ @ Planned in Pencil says

    10 years ago

    What a great giveaway! I have several pieces of furniture that we have put down in the basement because they are kind of ugly, they are too large for spray paint to be cost effective, but with this… well… game changer!!!

  98. Jessica Hill says

    10 years ago

    Both of our master bedroom dressers need refinishing.

  99. Nat & Holly says

    10 years ago

    These are awesome tips! I would paint some of my Ikea shelves that are all scratched up!

  100. Amanda says

    10 years ago

    My first project will be buffet table.

  101. Jessi says

    10 years ago

    This would be so handy for a number of projects on my list. But number one is painting that ugly dresser in the bedroom!

  102. Cheryl B says

    10 years ago

    I’d paint 2 wicker side tables. Wicker is so tedious to paint with a brush – I think a sprayer would be perfect for this!

  103. Danielle Porter says

    10 years ago

    All of my bedroom furniture! It’s white right now, which doesn’t match our room at all!

  104. Beverly says

    10 years ago

    My kitchen cabinets!

  105. Crystal F says

    10 years ago

    I have an antique corner cabinet that is a yucky glossy brown. I’m so eager to paint it a pretty red and I’ve been shopping for a sprayer. This one would be perfect!

  106. Sarah VM says

    10 years ago

    I would paint our kitchen table first.

  107. Karen F says

    10 years ago

    My front porch chairs would be the first thing I would paint.

  108. Suzanne J Dean says

    10 years ago

    Wow a paint sprayer would be awesome…so much easier & faster! Thanks so much for the chance and love the new color of your tables!
    hugz,
    Suzanne

  109. Tauni says

    10 years ago

    Oh my gosh, I have to bookcases that need this badly!

  110. Melissa says

    10 years ago

    My first project would be my sofa table. It needs a new painting something bad.

  111. Eileen says

    10 years ago

    I would paint a nightstand I’ve had forever.

  112. Robyn S. says

    10 years ago

    I would paint my bathroom cabinets! Then proceed to paint every other cabinet in my house…

  113. Michelle Smith says

    10 years ago

    I’d start with the dresser in my son’s room

  114. ChiWei says

    10 years ago

    We’ve got some old end tables that could use a new coat of paint, so it doesn’t look like the fake wood veneer anymore!

  115. Mique says

    10 years ago

    I’ve always been nervous to paint laminate. This is awesome. Thanks!

  116. Chelsea says

    10 years ago

    Our kitchen table! It’s so scratched up + could really use a makeover!

  117. mandy says

    10 years ago

    My first project would be to repaint my kitchen chairs a nice bright color that pops!

  118. Melanie says

    10 years ago

    Probably a piece of furniture in my daughter’s room.

  119. brittany says

    10 years ago

    we recently purchased a new home that is in desperate need of repainting! I would start with the living room……

  120. Julie says

    10 years ago

    I would paint all my IKEA furniture too! And my old kitchen cabinets. 🙂

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