5 Types of Furniture You Should Never Be Painted, According to Pros

It can be tempting to whip out some paint to refresh an old piece of furniture that’s been sitting around your home, however, it may be better off left alone than painted. We asked pros to share what types of furniture should never be painted, so you know which ones to avoid giving a quick DIY makeover to.

Antique Furniture

Whether you went antiquing, stumbled upon an exquisite piece on the curb, or inherited family heirlooms, do your homework to find out if they’re original and if so, exactly when the pieces were made. If they’re at least 100 years old, they’re antiques that you should avoid covering with layers of paint.

“Painting antique furniture can significantly reduce its value, especially if the piece has historical significance, as collectors often seek out original finishes,” Deborah Meyers, a furniture makeover artist, explains.

She recalls seeing someone had removed burl veneer from an old cabinet due to damage and she noticed that the affected area was so small that it could have been restored. Instead, the refinisher ended up painting the piece. Meyers explains how it’s vital to educate yourself before making any irreversible changes.

Want more home reno project tips and inspiration? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest how-tos, reno guides, and more!

New Factory-Finished Items

You can paint over almost any type of surface—be it laminate, wood, or metal—if you’ve prepared the surface correctly and selected the right paint and method of application. But if you’re dealing with a new piece of furniture, even of the budget-friendly flat-pack kind, you might want to hold off on painting it as the paint might not adhere as well to a pristine factory finish.

“Even if you follow best practices, the painted finish will be more prone to wear and chipping than the original factory finish,” Carrie Spaulding, the founder of a DIY home decor blog and YouTube channel called Lovely Etc, says.

Of course, once time has passed and the piece has formed some wear and tear, you can revisit the painting idea.

Pieces With Intricate Details

If the piece is hand-carved wood, such as an ornate headboard or armoire, paint obscures the intricate craftsmanship that makes the piece special, Meyers explains.

But even if it’s not hand-carved, any ornate detail is tricky to paint over: It can be difficult to get even coverage as well as avoid drips when painting intricate details, ornamentation, or curves. So, be brutally honest with yourself about your painting capabilities before attempting to makeover such a piece.

Cedar Outdoor Furniture

Often a popular choice for outdoor furniture and garden elements for its weather resistance, cedar can be seen in pieces ranging from classic low-slung Adirondack deck chairs to privacy trellises and birdhouses. While natural cedar usually benefits from sealing for additional protection from the elements, it’s not a good idea to paint it.

“Cedar not only has beautiful grain patterns that would be hidden by layers of paint, but it also provides natural resistance from decay and insect damage that would otherwise be diminished by painting it,” Vageesh Bakhshi, senior product manager of exterior wood care at Sherwin-Williams, says.

Staining, on the other hand, enhances the wood’s inherent qualities while providing extra protection against moisture and UV rays.

Select Midcentury Modern Pieces

Much like the antique pieces, midcentury modern–era furnishings are often collectors’ items. Think of iconic designs such as the Noguchi coffee table, Eames lounge chair, and Jacobsen dining chair, among many others.

While some pieces from this design period are crafted in solid woods such as walnut and teak, others are composed of bent plywood covered in high-quality wood veneer. Paint will detract from the iconic look, cover up a beautiful wood grain, or remove original midcentury veneers can also reduce the piece’s value.

So, if you wish to pass it down or sell it one day, find out the backstory of the piece in question before you embark on a painting or flipping job.