If you have one or two pieces of furniture that don’t match the rest of your decor, don’t be afraid to take matters into your own hands and paint or stain to match!  I have limited resources in terms of space, time and financial means, so here’s how I achieved a high quality look on less than $30

I have a maple wood coffee table that stuck out in the room among my black furniture, and since it was gifted to me I decided to paint it. I have completed a similar project on a smaller scale when I refinished a dresser (see that project here) but admittedly, I was a bit nervous about hand painting a large piece of furniture that serves as a center piece of the living room. Overall, I’m very happy with the result of this project because I now have a unified color scheme for all of my furniture.

Limited space to work?– No problem! I solved this problem by covering the carpet using recycled paper bags (newspaper would work also) to reduce the risk of spilling black paint. I would also recommend doing this project outside for more air-flow and possibly a faster drying time.

Limited time to work?– No problem! The chalk-based paint product I prefer to use requires no sanding or prep work, cutting down on time spent. This project took me less than 2 hours, including the time a spent waiting for it to dry.

Limited financial resources to work with?– No problem! Martha Stewart chalk based paint only costs $10.99 per bottle at Michael’s Craft Store and they also sell the glossy coating that will protect your project and keep it looking great!

Costs: 

• Paint- $10.99 per bottle
• Protective coating- $8.99 per bottle
• Paint brushes/equipment- $5.50
• Total: $25.48