The beauty of wood isn’t just its color, or its feel. We adore our teak shower benches, and the mere sight of them puts a smile on our faces. But the real beauty of wood is its versatility. You can re-sand it, stain it, or paint it. If you’ve got a creative itch and you’re looking to paint a wooden piece and create something unique, we’re all for it.

But before you jump in with your brush and paint can, read these 5 tips for painting wood furniture.

1. After you’ve gotten your supplies ready, you’ll want to clean the piece first. Different woods respond to different cleaners, but in general, the milder, the better. Use a cleaning brush and a sponge, and try to go easy on the cleaning solution.
2. If the piece you’re working on has been painted before, you’ll want to lightly sand it with a power sander, then use a fine grit sandpaper to thoroughly go over all of the surfaces. Remember to sand with the wood grain. If you discover multiple layers of paint, you may want to scrape them off with a scraper before you begin sanding. Finally, wipe the excess sand off the piece with a dry cloth.
3. Next, apply 1-2 coats of primer. Get into the habit of sanding in between primer coats, and wipe off the excess sand. Using products that are 2 in 1 paint and primer can save you time.
4. Once you start painting, use brushes that are small and angled to paint corners. Afterwards, paint with a smooth roller brush over the rest of the piece. However, go easy on the amount of paint you use, since too much paint can create drips. If you need a few coats of paint to achieve the right look, make sure to let the paint dry completely between coats, and lightly sand to get the smoothest possible finish.
5. Finally, you can add finishing touches. It’s up to your imagination, but for a distressed look, sand after the paint has dried. Another fun option is to try two different paint colors or shades. The undercoat can be one color, layer the second color on top, then sand the edges of the piece to expose the layers of color.