Key FAQ Points
- Yes, you can easily transform furniture into shabby chic style with the right prep and tools.
- Old and salvaged furniture can be revived, but you’ll need to sand and clean it before painting.
- The right brush is essential – oval brushes offer smooth, flawless coverage.
- You can create a distressed shabby chic look by sanding edges and corners.
- For a more creative finish, metallic paint or stencil designs can turn flaws into features.
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Shabby chic furniture has remained a popular trend for years – combining vintage charm with creative, lived-in finishes. If you want to try it yourself, the good news is that you don’t need a huge toolkit or professional background. What you do need is a few essentials and a little know-how to get the best results.
Preparing your project
If you’re working with salvaged or second-hand furniture, it’s worth the effort to restore it. Begin by sanding off any flaking varnish or paint to smooth the surface. Once sanded, clean the furniture thoroughly with water and Sugar Soap. This step removes dust and debris, helping paint to adhere properly.
What kind of paint should I use for shabby chic furniture?
The best choice for shabby chic furniture is a chalk-based paint or another high-resin furniture paint. These paints adhere well to different surfaces, provide excellent coverage and are easy to distress for the vintage look.
Chalk paint in particular has become popular because it delivers a soft, matte finish that’s ideal for sanding back on edges and corners. Its forgiving texture also means you don’t always need heavy priming, making projects quicker and simpler.
Standard emulsion or wall paints aren’t designed for furniture and can lead to peeling or uneven wear, especially on high-use surfaces like tables and chairs. If you do choose a non-specialist paint, you’ll need to use a strong primer underneath and a protective topcoat to stop it from chipping too soon.
For a reliable, fuss-free shabby chic finish, chalk-based paints or high-quality mineral paints are the go-to option. Frenchic’s Original Artisan Range is a traditional-style chalk paint that’s perfect for shabby chic furniture projects.
Choosing the right brush
Your finish depends heavily on your tools. Oval brushes with soft tapered bristles are ideal for painting furniture. They provide smooth coverage in tricky spots, making sure you don’t miss edges or corners.
Finding your style
For the classic shabby chic look, lightly sand your painted surface once dry. Focus on edges and corners to give it that gently distressed, time-worn appearance. For a more polished effect, you can add a touch of metallic sheen to trims or highlights.
Thinking outside the box
Not every piece of old furniture is perfect – cracks, rips and stains are common. Instead of hiding them, use creative solutions to make them a feature. Metallic paint can mimic the Japanese art of Kintsugi, turning flaws into striking details. Or you could use heritage stencil designs to cover problem areas with character.
