Got an old credenza kicking around in storage? If the piece is beyond – or not fancy enough for – restoration, consider transforming it into a whimsical statement piece! In this Paint School DIY, learn how easy it is to upcycle your old credenza with the help of some chalk decorative paint in both liquid and aerosol formulas. The best part? This DIY requires no stripping, heavy sanding or priming. All in all? A small DIY with huge results.
Before:
Materials Required:
- BEHR® Chalk Decorative Spray Paint in Pale Moon and Miniature Rose
- BEHR® Chalk Decorative Paint in Salmon Coral, Egg Blue, Powder Pink and Wave
- BEHR® Wax Decorative Finish in Clear
- Painter’s tape
- Sanding block and 220 grit sandpaper
- Floor drop cloth
- Gloves
- Goggles
- Mask
- Paint brush
- Mini paint roller set
Step One: Spray Paint the Legs
If your credenza has legs, you’ll want to paint these first. With a damp cloth, wipe the credenza legs down to remove any dirt. Using 220 grit sandpaper, lightly sand the legs and wipe off excess dust. Use painter’s tape to cover any areas you don’t want the paint to touch. Paint the legs using BEHR® Chalk Decorative Spray Paint. You can apply two to three thin coats for best results. Allow drying between each coat, re-coating either before one hour or after 24 hours.
Related: DIY Ideas to Give Old Furniture New Life Using Paint
Step Two: Prep the Doors
We’re going to paint the doors, so we need to start with prep. Firstly, remove any hardware attached to the front of the drawers, like knobs or pulls. Again, you want to remove any dirt by wiping with a damp cloth. Go over it again with a dry cloth to remove any residual water – a wet surface can be trickier to sand. Once dry, sand over the surfaces you’ll be painting with a fine sandpaper and light pressure. Wipe off the dust with a dry cloth.
Step Three: Create Graphic Shapes
Using painter’s tape, create graphic geometric patterns on the credenza doors. There’s no rhyme or rhythm to this step – just let your creativity run free! Layer different shapes and think about what bold colours you want to paint them.
TIP: From painting walls to furniture, always invest in high-quality painter’s tape. It’s always worth the splurge. Working with low-quality painter’s tape can be very frustrating and can ruin your whole project.
Step Four: Time for Tape-Painting!
Grab your BEHR® Chalk Decorative Paint in the colours of your choice. I love this matte finish chalk decorative paint in particular thanks to how its soft, buttery formula makes for smooth, satisfying application. Stir the paint with a paint stick and begin painting with your mini paint rollers for precise results. You’ll need to apply two coats of each colour. Make sure to paint slowly in the smaller, more detailed areas.
To finish off the design, spray paint the sides of the credenza. I used BEHR® Chalk Decorative Spray Paint in Miniature Rose. As a cool detail matching the geometric doors, I painted only half of each side, leaving the other half as unpainted wood.
Step Five: Let it Dry Completely
Wait until the BEHR® Chalk Decorative Paint is completely dry to the touch. Once dry, carefully peel off the painter’s tape.
Related: Paint Colours That Make a Room Appear Bigger Than it Actually Is
Step Six: Protect & Wax
To seal, protect and add a lustrous satin sheen to the painted credenza doors, apply BEHR® Wax Decorative Finish in Clear. It’s a simple (and super satisfying) two-step wax process: First, apply the clear wax with a brush or lint-free rag over the painted surface. Allow wax to dry. Then, buff the doors until you achieve a beautiful, even sheen. BEHR® Wax Decorative Finish is available in four different finishes: Clear, white, dark, and black.
After:
Enjoy your brand new modern credenza and have fun styling it in your favourite home corner.
Check out Paint School for more fun DIYs.
