Best Chalk Paint for Furniture

Ready to transform your furniture? Discover the best chalk paint for furniture that offers excellent coverage and beautiful finishes. In todays blog post I reached out to many chalk paint enthusiasts for tidbits on the best brand to choose from and most popular colors. Whether you want a modern look or a vintage vibe, these chalk paints have you covered.

Chalk paint has totally changed the game for furniture makeovers! The first time I was introduced to it I couldn't believe how easy it was to use and you can use it on many other things too, including fabric. But for today our focus is on the best chalk paint brand for furniture.

Best Chalk Paint for Furniture

Alright, let's get straight to it—I'm about to share a few of the best chalk paint brands for furniture. But hang tight and keep reading to find out exactly why these brands of chalk paint are worth considering for your next DIY project! Plus more recommendations of chalk paint to check out.

• Annie Sloan
• Dixie Belle

Now just why are these our go to paint brands you might be asking. Where did the whole chalk paint ideas come from and what exactly is chalk paint. Here is a little history lesson.

History of Chalk Paint

Actual chalk paint has been around for many years because long ago people would mix a version of chalk paint but then back in 1990, British artist Annie Sloan invented a chalk paint line of paint—a total game-changer for painting furniture!

It's super easy to use, needs hardly any prep, and gives you this lovely matte finish that you can distress for that cool vintage look. DIY fans and decorators went nuts for it because it makes revamping old furniture a breeze, turning it into stylish treasures without all the usual hassle.

But before you jump off the bandwagon and purchase some Annie Sloan, stay tuned because I am sharing another chalk like paint that might be better for your project.

Understanding Chalk Paint

Not every furniture paint project is the same nor is every chalk paint brand the same so let's answer a few questions before you decide on what to buy.

What is Chalk Paint?

Chalk paint is a matte finish paint with a chalky appearance with little to no prep. That last part is what makes it so wonderful.

Chalk paint also gives that charming vintage look that many farmhouse and vintage lovers want. Most of the time you have to use a top coat when painting with chalk paint but with newer chalk-like paint companies you can skip that step.

Key Benefits of Using Chalk Paint on Furniture

There are many reasons why to consider chalk paint when doing makeovers.

First, remember there is little to no prep time. That is big when it comes to tackling those paint projects. It is the worst when you just brought home a garage sale find and you spend hours cleaning and stripping to get to the fun part of painting. In most cases you won't even need primer.

Second you get that gorgeous farmhouse or vintage chalky finish. There is something nostaglic about a piece of furniture painted with chalk paint.

Third, most chalk paint companies have the most beautiful paint colors and there are not one zillion colors to choose from so you don't get overwhelmed. I will share a few popular colors later so keep reading.

Bonus benefit – most chalk paints are low-odor and have minimal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) so you won't have a strong odor of chemicals like you can sometimes have after painting.

Comparing Chalk Paint to Regular Paint: What Sets It Apart?

Ever wonder what makes chalk paint so different from regular paint? Let me break it down for you!

Chalk paint is like the superhero of DIY projects—it’s incredibly easy to use, it's durable, and requires minimal prep.

Unlike regular paint, you often don’t need to spend hours sanding or priming before you get started. Just grab your brush or roller and go!

Once it's on, chalk paint has a short drying time and leaves this cool matte smooth finish that feels velvety smooth. It’s perfect for giving furniture that trendy vintage look with a bit of texture. Plus, you can use it on almost anything—wood, metal, even fabric—so you’ve got tons of options for creative projects.

And here’s the fun part: if you want that weathered, antique vibe, you can easily distress chalk paint with some sandpaper. It’s like painting with magic!

Now that you know a little about chalk paint which chalk paint brand is best for your furniture project. Remember me mentioning I reached out to other paint enthusiast for their favorite brands. Here are their top brands.

Top Chalk Paint Brands to Consider

• Annie Sloan
• Rust-Oleum Chalk Paint
• Dixie Belle
• FolkArt Home Decor Chalk
• Behr Chalk Decorative Paint

Let me clarify that only Annie Sloan is a true chalk paint. In fact, she owns the copywrite on the name “chalk paint” however, these other brands produce the same chalk finish paint and they might be better in the end.

Choosing the Right Chalk Paint Color

Now that you have the best chalk paint brands your next step is choosing the perfect paint colors. Before heading to Amazon, Walmart or Home Depot, read on to learn how to pick the right chalk paint color for your project.

After years of designing homes, I have a strategy for color selection that always works and it is beginning with the most popular paint colors. So I did some research and here are the most popular chalk paint colors by my top two recommended brands.

Most Popular Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Colors

• Old White: A classic, versatile white that works well with any color scheme.
• Paris Grey: A soft, slightly bluish grey that is sophisticated and calming.
• Graphite: A dark, almost black color with a hint of slate grey, perfect for a modern, dramatic look.

You can almost always bet a black or white will be in the top three of any paint brand. If you are looking for a color check out all the colors here.

Most Popular Dixie Belle Paint Colors

Next let's look at Dixie Belle and their most popular paint colors.

• Vintage Duck Egg: A soft blue-green that gives a vintage, coastal vibe.
• Cotton: A pure, bright white perfect for a clean, fresh look.
• Caviar: A deep, rich black that adds drama and sophistication.

Very similar to Annie Sloan these colors are white and blacks except for Vintage Duck Egg. Honestly I think this color exudes the classic chalk paint vibe.

Keep in mind with both brands that they have many shades of white and varying shades of black. Black and white are always a safe bet and they are timeless. But if you love color I say go all out because both brands have gorgeous and classic colors.

Now narrow down to two or three of the most popular colors that will match your room where the furniture piece will be sitting. Once you have those colors, order samples of them to proof. At this point do the elimination process. Ask yourself which one do I like the least and so on.

Before you know it you will have the perfect color for your furniture project.

Preparing and Chalk Painting your Furniture

Now that you have the perfect chalk paint color, if you need tip on how to paint furniture with chalk paint I have a whole post to walk you through it step by step.

This article showcases my very first chalk paint project, and I had a special guest who taught me how to chalk paint like a pro. It was an amazing experience, and I want you to get the insider scoop from her too. So, tap “How to Chalk Paint Like a Pro” to check it out!

One thing to remember is that this article is a beginner chalk painting post so if you are past beginner then read on because next I want to share some places to get inspiration for your chalk paint furniture project.

Inspiration and Ideas for Chalk Painted Furniture

Chalk painted furniture offers endless possibilities to your home decor. In my home we have painted just about everything with chalk paint including furniture.

My first project was this hutch and it was an easy one day job. If your china cabinet or hutch dishes need a pop consider adding color with chalk paint to the wall behind them. Here is a before and after so you can see the transformation.

Other pieces of furniture you can paint with chalk paint are:

• Chairs
• Dressers
• Mirror frames
• Nightstand
• Dining table
• Bookshelves
• Coffee table
• Cabinets

Chalk Paint Reviews

At the beginning of this article, I mentioned that a few of my friends who frequently use chalk paint were kind enough to share their insights on the brands they work with.

First, my niece Valerie used Annie Sloan chalk paint for her kitchen cabinets, and it worked great for her project. She painted them and finished with wax, but later realized the wax wasn’t suitable for the kitchen and didn’t hold up well. The worst part was removing the wax, which turned out to be a tedious job.

So while some people like to use a colored or clear wax, learn from my niece and stick to a good top coat, no wax, whichever brand of chalk paint you choose. She loves chalk paint but her recommendation is to pay close attention to what top coat you are using.

Second is Kirstin, The Wooden Butterfly, who once had a business of furniture makeovers and chalk paint and now is a YouTuber uses chalk paint many times on her furniture designs. In fact, when she had a shop she carried Dixie Belle chalk paint so you can imagine she highly recommends Dixie Belle.

If you're looking for more insider tips from Kirstin, check out my YouTube video here. I interviewed her, and we discussed potential pieces of furniture in my home for chalk painting. It's a great video that might help you make that final decision.

Conclusion

Now that you know all about chalk paint you might be wondering is chalk paint out of style. I believe it is here forever because of it versatility. Having a product that makes furniture painting so much easier should be around for a long time.

Let's recap the best chalk paint brands. Dixie Belle is my go to brand. I knew from the first coat that it was going to be my favorite. I love the way it goes on and it offers great coverage. I recommend finding one brand you like and sticking with it unless you need a color they do not have. I also enjoy using a paint called Fusion Mineral Paint which has that chalk paint look but isn't really a chalk base paint.

If you are considering chalk painting a piece of furniture which brand are you considering? Share in the comments what your project you are looking at painting with chalk paint.

Looking for more chalk paint inspiration? Check out these posts:

• How To Paint With Chalk Paint On Furniture
• How to Make an Easy DIY Rug Out of a Drop Cloth and Chalk Paint
• Best Chalk Paint Ideas From Furniture to Accessories
• Discover the Best Chalk Paint Brush for Perfect Finishes

Happy Decorating!