How To Create Chalk Paint

Looking to give your furniture a new lease of life? Chalk paint — famed for its matte, chalky appearance — is a brilliant way to spruce up worn-out, tired-looking furniture, including kitchen cabinets, chairs, internal doors, and drawers.

It was originally developed in 1990 by colour expert Annie Sloan, who also trademarked the term 'Chalk Paint™'. Her eponymous line of decorative paints draws on a lifetime of research and experience in working with paint and colour.

Quick, easy and perfect for beginners, and with no sanding or priming needed, it can be painted straight onto surfaces, including wood, metal, plastic and brick, producing full coverage and a perfect chalky finish.

Before we tell you how to chalk paint furniture, we asked Annie about the mistakes to avoid. Take a look at her expert tips below...

Annie Sloan's top 5 mistakes to avoid

1. Overloading your brush
'Don't overload your brush! This is such an important rule with all painting,' Annie tells House Beautiful UK. 'You can add paint, but it's much harder to take it away! Too much paint can lead to oozing, smudging and general messiness. Every time you dip your brush or roller, wipe it on a lint free cotton cloth or on your roller tray to remove excess product.'

2. Painting the top side first
'Particularly when you do a chair, it's important to turn it upside down and paint the underneath first,' explains Annie. 'You won't miss bits that way and it's quite a fun way to paint. Some people find chairs boring to paint, but I love it!'

3. Waiting too long before removing stencils or tape
'Let the paint dry slightly before removing a stencil, rather than waiting for it to be completely dry. This also applies with painter's tape; dry paint could potentially crack when the tape is removed so it's best done when the paint is dry enough not to run, but still a little wet,' she adds.

A chalk paint wardrobe designed using stencils

Annie Sloan

4. Following trends
'People often ask me "what's on trend now to paint my kitchen". It really comes down to what you like,' says Annie. 'Don't paint your kitchen red if it's not a colour you like, but fashion tells you to do it. You have to live with it!'

5. Overthinking
'Have fun! Consider what you're going to do before you do it; but without overthinking to the point of inertia,' she adds. 'Chalk Paint™ can be used to create any effect from Industrial Rustic to bone-inlay effect using my Pearlescent Glaze; decide what style you want before you start and make sure that it suits your home and your personality.

'One of my favourite tips is to paint something neutral on the outside and then add a flash of vibrant colour on the inside; it'll make you smile every time you open a drawer or a wardrobe. Colour brings joy so be bold with it!'

Planning your next upcycling project? Take a look at how to chalk paint furniture like a pro.

Step 1: Preparation is key

While there's no need for sanding or priming, you still need to prepare furniture beforehand. To ensure a smooth finish, remove any handles from drawers and clean down surfaces with a damp cloth to remove grease, grime and dirt. Don't forget to lay down a dust sheet, too.

If there are stubborn marks or greasy areas, give your furniture a wipe down with Frenchic Sugar Soap (you'll need 1 part sugar soap to 4 parts warm water). You need a clean surface to ensure the paint sticks to the wood.

Step 2: Get your brushes ready

If you're keen to chalk paint furniture at home, it could be worth picking up some new paint brushes. According to the experts at Frenchic, the best brush for painting on oak furniture is an oval paint brush; it's made with a careful mixture of natural and synthetic fibres to produce the best result for your project.

When it comes to reaching those tight corners, an angled detailed brush should do the trick. Meanwhile, flat brushes are great to have on standby as these can cover large smooth surfaces easily. A stencil brush is also an option for anyone with a creative streak.

The best brushes for chalk paint

Petite Oval Brush - 27mm

frenchicpaint.co.uk

£9.95

Flat Brush - 50mm

frenchicpaint.co.uk

£9.95

Chalk Wax Brush

ULTNICE amazon.co.uk

£9.99

Stencil Brush

frenchicpaint.co.uk

£6.95

Step 3: Apply the paint

Thanks to its thickness, chalky paint is one of the easiest paints to apply to furniture. Once you've opened the tin, give it a stir to ensure the consistency is flawless. Then, dip your brush in and apply the paint straight over the surface.

'Don't be afraid to move the brush in every direction all over the piece. This part doesn't have to be neat or precise, you just need to get the paint on there,' says Mark Husband, Product Development Lead at Leader Doors.

If you want to make a statement, consider creating a colour wash — a lighter paint effect that softly colours the furniture. To do this, simply decant some paint into a clean tray and add a splash of water. Give it a little mix and then apply to furniture.

Not quite what you're after? Give the weathered look a go. 'To do this, keep the brush dry and use a minimal amount of paint for harsh brush streaks,' say Frenchic. 'Going for shabby chic? Simply paint the pine furniture and let it dry completely. Then, take some sandpaper to the edges, corners and handles to sand off some of the paint to expose the natural wood underneath.'

Annie Sloan

Step 4: Wait for the paint to dry

Once you've painted the first coat (and you're happy with it), wait for it to dry. Depending on room temperature, this could take anywhere between one to three hours. It might look patchy as it drys, but this will be covered during the second coat.

As it's drying, keep an eye open for any paint drips; these can be tough to remove later on, so check the paint is evenly spread.

Christopher Drake

Step 5: Apply your second coat

A second coat of chalk paint will fill in thin spots and streaks, giving it a smooth, all-over finish. 'When the first coat is dry to the touch, apply a second coat in the same manner, moving your brush in all different directions to cover the entire piece,' adds Mark. 'Touch up any patchier areas and again, remember to not apply the paint too thickly, instead build it up if needed.'

Going for the shabby chic look? Simply paint the furniture and let it dry completely. 'Then, take some sandpaper to the edges, corners and handles to sand off some of the paint to expose the natural wood underneath,' explain Frenchic. 'If you're going for a multi-coat shabby chic effect with one bold colour underneath another colour, leave the paint to dry completely in between coats. For a shinier finish of the same colour, you will need at least two coats.'

chalk paint on a cupboard in green and gold

Step 6: Complete the look with chalk paint wax

The final step in how to chalk paint furniture like a pro is to seal with wax. While this step is optional, it can help to prolong the paint, give it a more professional five-star feel, and help you achieve creative paint effects. The wax will sink into the wood, protecting the paint job you've worked hard to achieve.

To apply, simply use a bristle brush or a lint-free cloth and apply liberally. If you do opt for wax, ensure that every section has been covered. It's worth noting that wax can take up to two weeks to reach its full hardness, so be careful with the furniture in question.

Additionally, furniture lacquer can be used as an alternative protective finish to wax.

Once it's dry, accessorise your piece of furniture: a vase of dried flowers for a chest of drawers, new doorknobs for kitchen cabinets, a photo frame on a bedside table etc. It will look as good as new!

• Where to buy chalk-based furniture paint

You can buy Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint directly from her website or from well-known paint retailers. You can also buy similar chalk-based furniture paint from the likes of Rust-Oleum and Frenchic, while a few home retailers, like B&Q and Wilko, have their own ranges of chalky paint.

Grey, white and black are typically the most popular colours, but you'll be spoilt for choice with the range of hues available, from pastel shades (like blush pink and mellow yellow) to neutral shades (sage green and soft grey) and jewel tones (midnight blue and emerald green).

And you don't just have to chalk paint furniture – you can achieve a chalky finish for walls, floors and garden furniture. There are also sprays available as alternatives to paint tins. Shop a selection below.

Annie Sloan chalk paint

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (Antoinette)

'A versatile paint that works beautifully on furniture without priming or sanding. Easy to use and quick to dry.'

White chalk paint

Chalk Furniture Paint (White)

Rust-Oleum argos.co.uk

£12.00

'With a classic, smooth touch flat matt finish, it brings a new lease of life to tired, worn-out pieces.'

Grey chalk paint

The Lazy Range (Spitfire)

frenchicpaint.co.uk

£6.95

'It is self priming, self levelling and self sealing with no odour and is a smooth and gorgeous paint with excellent coverage.'

Johnstone's chalk paint

Chalk paint (Duck Egg Blue)

'Johnstone's Chalky Furniture Paint is perfect for creating shabby-chic looks or transforming your old furniture into trendy statement pieces.'

Black chalk paint

Jet Black Chalk Paint

Vintro Paint amazon.co.uk

£24.99

'Vintro Chalk Paint is a water-based, eco-friendly furniture paint with a high pigment content. It has a matte, tactile, chalky feel finish but without any residue.'

Hemway chalk paint

Chalk Based Furniture Paint

'Hemway Chalk Based paint is a decorative paint that can be used on walls and furniture. It can revitalise old furniture, walls, ceilings and floors with ease.'

Ronseal chalk paint

Chalky Furniture Paint (Pebble)

'Ronseal Chalky Furniture Paint is a durable chalk paint that you don't need to protect with a wax or lacquer.'

Chalk paint B&Q

Chalky Effect Furniture Paint (North pole, Brilliant white)

'GoodHome furniture finishing paint will create a chalky, shabby chic finish ideal for highlighting the finer details of your furniture or interior mouldings.'

Chalk paint Wilko

Wilko Quick Dry Chalky Furniture Paint (Slate Grey)

'Wilko Quick Dry Chalky Furniture Paint has been specially developed to give a classic, yet durable matt finish to interior wood, melamine and mdf furniture all around the home.'

Chalk spray paint

Garden Furniture Spray Paint (Clotted Cream)

Rust-Oleum amazon.co.uk

£9.99

'Renovate and transform garden furniture with Rust-Oleum Chalky Finish Garden Furniture Paint. The paint can be directly applied to wood (bare or painted), brick, stone, plaster or any suitably primed rigid surface (metal, plastic etc).'

Annie Sloan chalk paint

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (Aubusson Blue)

'A versatile paint that works beautifully on furniture without priming or sanding. Easy to use and quick to dry.'

Rust-Oleum chalk paint

Dusky Pink Chalky Matt Furniture Paint

Rust-Oleum diy.com

£15.00

'No priming or sanding necessary, works great over old paint and varnish.'

Outdoor chalk paint

Al Fresco Inside / Outside Range (Constance Moss)

frenchicpaint.co.uk

£15.95

'It is hard wearing & weatherproof with a robust and chalk finish.'

Rust-Oleum chalk paint

Rust-Oleum Gold Metallic Finish Furniture Paint

'This opulent paint finish is suitable for all types of furniture.'

Frenchic chalk paint

Green with Envy Wall Paint

frenchicpaint.co.uk

£42.95

'Applied in only 1-2 coats, it is breathable and durable yet still maintains all the beautiful and unique qualities you would expect from Frenchic.'

Outdoor chalk paint

Rust-Oleum Garden Furniture Paint (Bramwell)

Rust-Oleum amazon.co.uk

£18.30

'An ultra durable, scrubbable, soft touch, matt finish, it will transform your outdoor furniture. The paint is both mould and algae resistant and gives water resistant protection.'

Grey chalk paint

Original Artisan Range (Lady Grey)

frenchicpaint.co.uk

£6.95

'You'll find that it is creamy, rich and has superior coverage. As an added bonus, Frenchic Furniture Paint has endured rigorous testing and has been EN:71-3 certified, meaning it is safe to paint children's toys and nursery furniture.'

Chalk paint floors

Chalky Finish Floor Paint (Chalk White)

Rust-Oleum Homebase

£33.00

'The paint can be used directly onto wood (bare or painted), brick, stone, plaster or any suitably primed rigid surface (metal, plastic etc.).'

Chalk spray paint

Furniture Spray Paint (Winter Grey)

Rust-Oleum amazon.co.uk

£8.00

'With a quick coat of Rust-Oleum Chalky Finish Furniture Paint you can now achieve the classic, smooth touch, flat matt finish from a spray.'

Pink chalk paint

Last Dance Wall Paint

frenchicpaint.co.uk

£9.95

'Luxurious and practical, Frenchic Chalk Wall Paint is a washable, ultra matte chalk wall paint with very little odour.'

Chalk paint wax

Clear Chalk Paint Wax By Annie Sloan

'Annie Sloan Clear Wax works in perfect partnership with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, protecting your paintwork and giving a softened matt finish.'

Chalk paint wax

Clear Furniture Finishing Wax

Rust-Oleum amazon.co.uk

£8.74

'Water-based with virtually no odour. Exceptional coverage in just one coat.'

Chalk paint lacquer

Rust-Oleum Clear Furniture Lacquer Matt Finish

'This highly durable quick-drying finish protects, enhances and seals paint work, protecting it from knocks and scratches.'

Chalk paint wax

Annie Sloan Black Chalk Paint Wax

'The wax emphasises depth of colour and gives a beautiful mellow finish, or can be buffed to a high sheen.'

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