When it comes to upcycling, choosing the best chalk paint for furniture should be at the top of your list. However, that’s often easier said than done, and making the right choice depends on several factors.
In this article, we’ll discuss how to do just that – choose the best chalk paint for furniture. We’ll look at how to make the right decision as well as some of the best options on the market.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Jolie Chalk Paint
Runner Up:
Country Chic Chalk Paint
Best Value:
Rustoleum Ultra Matte Interior Chalk Paint
1. Jolie Chalk Paint
Best Overall
If you’re looking for the best furniture chalk paint, look no further than Jolie Chalk Paint. Jolie chalk paint is like a combination of Magnolia Homes, Retique, and Behr in one.
It’s highly durable and provides an outstanding finish regardless of the many colors you choose. It’s also worth noting that the color description on the can is spot on to ensure you know exactly what you’re getting.
Jolie chalk paint has a very quick dry time and is easy to apply and clean up after. There’s a good chance you can avoid sanding and priming when using this paint.
One of the best features of Jolie chalk paint, aside from the quality and color, is the materials it’s made from. Jolie only produces low-VOC, non-toxic paints that are eco-friendly and safe for indoor use, so you don’t have to worry about paint fumes.
Finally, this chalk paint has outstanding coverage and can coat up to 150 square feet with a single can. You can also use it for interior or exterior purposes and on nearly all surfaces.
Pros
- Safe for indoor and outdoor use
- Very quick dry time
- Little to no cleanup or prep work required
- Extremely eco-friendly, odor-free, and low-VOC
- Great coverage
- Tons of color options
Cons
- It can be a tad pricey
- Better suited for cabinets and flat surfaces than rounded edges
- Not suitable for all surfaces
2. Country Chic Chalk Paint
Runner-Up
We’ve all been there at one point or another, and there’s no shame in admitting when you’re inexperienced with painting furniture. However, we recommend using Country Chic Chalk Paint rather than trying to work with a tricky, advanced product.
Country Chic is a relatively new name in the world of chalk paints, but they’re quickly making their mark. Their chalk paint is considered by many to be the overall best chalk paint for furniture, but especially by beginners.
![Chalk Style Paint - for Furniture, Home Decor, Crafts - Eco-Friendly - All-in-One - No Wax Needed (Vanilla Frosting [Off White], Pint (16 oz))](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41p5YiI1GGL._SL500_.jpg)
It’s easy to work with and leaves little to no brush strokes. The thickness and texture of this paint are also especially forgiving to those who don’t have brush painting mastered.
Their paint products are also very eco-friendly, durable, and easy to apply. The quick drying time of fewer than thirty minutes is also great if you’re in a rush and need to finish the job quickly.
Finally, Country Chic chalk paint can get applied to all types and textures of furniture, requires very little prep time, and is easy to clean up. It’s also an all-in-one paint and primer with a nice finish that you don’t always need to add the wax top coat.
Pros
- Very easy to apply and clean up after
- Durable and high quality
- Eco-friendly and has little to no odor
- An all-in-one paint
Cons
- A little pricey
3. Rustoleum Ultra Matte Interior Chalk Paint
Best Value
If you want the best chalk paint for furniture that’s more affordable and readily available, look no further than Rustoleum Ultra Matte Interior Chalk Paint. This product provides a smooth, matte finish that will shine once it has had time to seal.
This paint is ideal for any furniture upcycling, but it’s definitely the best chalk paint for furniture when you’re going for a farmhouse or rustic finish. It will adhere to any furniture surface and typically only requires one to two coats.
Rustoleum doesn’t offer as many color options as other brands, but its eleven options are excellent. This paint also has a very rapid drying time and is typically ready to touch within a half hour of application.
However, if necessary, you will want to wait for an hour or two before adding a second coat. Few paints offer the quality and durability of Rustoleum Ultra Matte Chalk Paint at such an affordable price.
Pros
- Adheres to almost any surface.
- Typically requires only one to two coats max.
- Very affordable
- Dries very quickly
Cons
- Not quite as durable as more expensive options
4. RECOLOR Recycled Chalk Latex Paint
If you want the best chalk paint for furniture but don’t want to spend a fortune, try out RECOLOR Recycled Chalk Latex Paint. RECOLOR paint is water-based, smooth, and extremely easy to apply.
Best of all, this paint is made from 100% recycled materials and products and is extremely eco-friendly. Using this paint, you can not only save your furniture but save the world as well!
While being made from recycled materials and very affordable, this paint doesn’t sacrifice quality, durability, or performance. It undergoes stringent testing to ensure it’s good enough to meet your needs.
RECOLOR chalk paint is also very easy to work with and clean up if you should happen to have a spill. While their color options are limited and it takes slightly longer to dry, its other attributes put RECOLOR in the running for the best chalk paint for furniture.
Pros
- Made from 100% recycled materials
- Very easy to apply and clean up
- Very smooth and seamless texture
- Highly affordable
Cons
- Not as durable as other chalk paints
- Takes longer to dry than other paints
5. Krylon Chalky Finish Spray Paint
For years, Krylon has been an industry leader in spray paints, and their Chalky Finish Spray Paint is no different. It puts the practicality and versatility of chalk paint in the convenience of a spray can.
Krylon chalky finish spray paint is very easy to apply with the press of a button. However, because of how thick chalk paint is, you should be sure to shake it extra hard before application.
Once it’s ready to go, though, Krylon chalky spray paint works just as well as applying paint with a brush. You’ll get the same durable, waxy finish as you otherwise would, and this product applies to all surfaces.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Affordable
- Little to no cleanup or prep required
- Nearly twenty colors to choose from
- This applies to any surface
Cons
- Spray paint is prone to clumping
- You’ll have to apply it outside to reduce the risk of excess inhalation
6. Retique It Chalk Furniture Paint
Despite having a cutesy name, Retique It paint is one of the most durable, versatile, and arguably the best chalk paint for furniture. It can adhere to furniture surfaces of all types and materials and on both indoor and outdoor furniture.
Retique paint gets used by amateurs and professionals alike for everything from arts and crafts to walls and cabinets. Part of the reason that Retique It paint is so popular is that there are over forty color options and finishes to choose from.
This paint also has a rapid drying time of thirty to forty minutes, making it great if you apply multiple coats. No matter which color you choose, you’re guaranteed the same silky finish typical of all Retique It paints.
In addition to being high-quality and very durable, this paint is also eco-friendly and has little to no odor. It also requires very little prep time and is a cinch to clean up after.
Pros
- High-quality and durable
- Very rapid drying time
- Eco-friendly and very little odor
- Very easy to clean up and little to no prep required
- You can use it for interior or exterior purposes, and all surfaces
Cons
- A little pricy for large applications
How to Choose the Best Chalk Paint for Furniture
While any of the options on this list could be the best chalk paint for furniture, it’s important to choose the right option depending on your needs. There are several factors to consider when making your choice.
Ingredients
While chalk-based paint is different from other water-based paints, it is, nonetheless, a water-based product. As such, you should avoid paints that claim to be chalk-based but don’t have water listed as one of the ingredients.
You should also look for paint that is non-toxic and not odiferous so that it’s environmentally friendly. This type of paint is also less harmful if you should happen to inhale some during application.
Durability
As with all types of paint, not all chalk-based paints are created equal. Some have better ingredients and formulas and adhere to furniture with more consistency.
The most important factor in durability is the wax topcoat typical of almost all chalk paints. This topcoat needs time to dry and seal properly, and you can help the process by choosing a paint where the top coat consists of oil-based polyurethane.
Choosing chalk paint with this topcoat will ensure a durable, stable finish.
Price
As with all things in life, the price will play a significant factor in choosing your chalk paint. These paints can range in price from just over $10 up to over $100.
Depending on the amount of paint you need and your budget, you’ll have to sacrifice for cheaper paint. However, even with cheaper paint, you can still get the quality and durability of chalk paint by choosing one with the right ingredients.
Surface Application Specifications
While most types of chalk paint can get applied to any surface, there are exceptions to this rule. Therefore, you should be sure to read the label and directions on your chalk paint of choice to ensure it applies to your needs.
Benefits of Using Chalk Paint Over Other Paints
Whether you’re upcycling old furniture, repainting new furniture, or doing any form of furniture painting, chalk paint is the paint of choice. Chalk paint offers many advantages over other types of paint.
Thicker
The first thing you’ll notice about chalk paint is that it’s thicker than latex, oil, or water-based paints. Because of how thick it is, chalk paint drips less and leaves fewer marks than other types of paint.
Thick paint typically also requires fewer coats than thinner types of paint. Fewer coats mean less working time, a quicker finish, and less money spent on additional cans or bottles of paint.
No Prep Required
The second advantage of chalk paint is that it requires little to no prep time. While you may still have to sand furniture to remove old coats of paint and repair dings and dents, the best chalk paint for furniture will cover up a multitude of imperfections.
There’s also less chance that you’ll have to pre-stain or sand furniture when using chalk paint. No stain means less money spent on supplies and a quicker finish time.
Easy to Apply
The thick texture and ingredients of chalk-based paints help them easily apply to almost any surface. While some skill and precision are still necessary, chalk paint is much easier to apply than other types of paint, making it a great option for beginners.
Wrapping up the Best Chalk Paint for Furniture
As you can see, there are plenty of options when it comes to choosing the best chalk paint for furniture. However, by using our buying guide and choosing one of the options on our list, you’re sure to choose the right one for your needs.
Now that you have your paint, all you need are the best chalk paintbrushes, and you’ll be ready to start painting your furniture!
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