When it's artfully applied, paint adds more than color; it alters the very nature of the piece, often evoking another time and place. A contemporary chair that has been refinished can acquire the look of an antique in hours, not years. Choose a piece of furniture -- perhaps a bed you spotted at a flea market or a table you've grown tired of -- then get to work. You'll need nothing more than basic skills and a handful of materials.

As for incorporating painted furniture into a home, not too many rules apply; it could work in any room in the house. You will want to consider the overall color scheme of the space and choose paints that harmonize. One piece can make a bold statement, or you can refinish several -- a dining table and chairs or a coffee table and console, for example -- to work as a set. Painted wooden furniture can also complement exposed-grain pieces, each highlighting the other. So use your imagination and make some furniture look as if it's brand-new -- or centuries old, as the case may be.

Painted Furniture Tools and Materials
Bordered Chest of Drawers How-To
Faux Marble Table How-To
Caned Bed How-To
Card Table How-To