Recently thrifted a wood table and wondering how to properly paint it? KDP Paintings has got you covered! In this blog, we’ll teach you how to paint a dining room table DIY-style. But if you prefer professional painters to do it for you, we also offer expert interior painting in Long Island.
Without further ado, let’s give your dining table (and chairs) a fresh new look you’ll absolutely love.
A DIY Guide to Painting a Dining Table
Tools and Materials Checklist
✔️ Medium grit sanding discs
✔️ Medium grade sanding wedge
✔️ Foam roller
✔️ Angled brush
✔️ Orbital sander
✔️ 320-400 grit sandpaper
✔️ Rags
✔️ Your preferred primer
✔️ Your preferred paint
✔️ Your preferred seal
Step 1: Cleaning and Sanding
First things first—grab a damp cloth and give the entire table a thorough wipe. If it’s an old kitchen table or a thrift find that has definitely seen better days, it probably has a lot of unwanted dirt and debris all over its surface. Clean rags (one for wiping and another for drying) and a mixture of warm water and soap will do the trick.
Let the table dry completely, and then move on to sanding. This is probably the most important part of painting furniture, especially those made from solid wood, because proper sanding allows your paint to stick better by roughing up the surface. Skipping sanding means your paint might peel, bubble, or chip even if you’re using extremely durable paint.
During this step, you want to get rid of any leftover varnish or debris clinging to the table top or table legs. You can use an orbital sander for this along with medium grit discs. Your goal here is to have a smooth surface, so don’t worry about getting all of the varnish off—as long as the dining table surface feels smooth under your hand, you’re pretty much good to go.
Step 2: Conditioning and Priming
Conditioning (optional)
You’ll want to use a pre-stain wood conditioner if you’re planning to stain your wood furniture. Staining bare wood is tricky, but conditioning helps prevent blotchiness and evens out wood absorption. This is especially necessary if you’re working with natural wood like pine and maple because these types of wood will absorb stains unevenly and leave you with a blotchy surface.
Many homeowners stain the wood before painting it to achieve a unique look. For example, if you’re using a distressed painting technique or a semi-transparent paint, staining first emphasizes the look of wood grain beneath the paint. Staining is also great if you want it to act as a colored primer so that if you do any distressing or sanding later on, it will reveal a rich, warm tone rather than raw wood.
How to Condition Wood
Apply the stain with a soft clean cloth and follow the natural grain of the wood. For the first coat, you can use a liberal amount as long as you wipe off the excess stain once you’re done. If you’re going for a dark stain, you can follow up with a second coat after about 15 minutes.
Gel stain typically dries quickly, while oil-based stain takes a bit longer. To be on the safe side, you’ll want to wait three to four days for oil-based stain to completely dry before moving to the next step.
Priming
If you want to paint a kitchen table, priming is a must. Aside from helping paint stick better and giving your table a durable finish after painting, primer also covers stains and imperfections. The only time you can really skip primer is if you’re using chalk paint which is specially made to stick to furniture without primer.
You have many options to pick from, but make sure that the paint you use blocks wood stain from showing (unless that’s exactly the look you’re going for.) We recommend oil-based paint because it’s super durable. Other paint options you can use are chalk paint (vintage, matte look) and acrylic latex paint (dries easily and doesn’t yellow with age).
How to Prime Wood
Wipe down the entire surface of the table and make sure there’s no more wood dust. Remember not to shake the primer as it can cause bubbles. Then, from the first coat to the final coat, remember to apply thin layers. You can use a foam roller for large areas and angled brushes for edges and corners. Alternatively, you can use the spray version for really hard-to-reach crevices. Two coats are ideal, but make sure you let it dry completely before applying a new layer.
While using spray primer for the whole thing usually works fine, we recommend that you use rollers or foam brushes for furniture like dining room tables because these surfaces see a lot of activity and traffic. Using rollers and paintbrushes rather than a spray means it will last longer.
Once you’re done, let the primer dry for one whole day.
Step 3: Light Sanding and Painting
For this step, use a medium grit sanding wedge. Gently sand the dining table to even out the primed surface. Don’t forget to wear a mask, and make sure you’re working in a well-ventilated area.
After achieving a smooth surface, it’s time to paint. The “right” paint is different for everyone, but the most commonly used ones are water-based paint, oil-based paint, acrylic paint, enamel paint, and chalk paint. For a dining table, however, the best paint would be oil-based paint because of its durability.
Now, here are some tips for a great paint job:
Thick coats lead to visible brush marks, drip marks, or uneven drying, so the trick is to apply two thin coats of paint. Make sure your brush strokes are even, and remember to let the paint fully dry for at least 24 hours before the next coat. If you’re working with darker colors like blue or black paint, you might need three thin coats.
On to curing: For a fully cured, hard finish, it takes at least five days of drying time. This still depends on how humid it is where you live and how thick the paint is. To be sure, check the paint can—it likely states how long you have to wait until the entire thing is fully dry. However, as a general rule, you want to keep temperatures moderate (70°F) and keep your space well-ventilated so it dries faster.
Step 4: Sealing
Without proper sealing and protection, your table won’t have a smooth finish for long, and the quality of the paint job will degrade very quickly. Things like scratches, heat marks from mugs and hot plates, and unavoidable spills will ruin it fast, and it will be especially noticeable if your dining table is a lighter color like white paint.
If you used oil-based paint, the best thing to pair it with would be oil-based polyurethane. It’s very durable and scratch-resistant. Once applied, it provides a high gloss or semi-gloss and maximum protection. However, it does have a slightly amber tint to it (not great for pure white paint) and requires a lot of time to dry.
To apply it, use a clean brush or foam roller. Go for long, even strokes. Typically, four coats are recommended for furniture that experiences heavy use. Wait 24 hours between coats and lightly sand with 320-400 grit sandpaper before applying the next layer. Then, give it at least 72 hours to fully dry before using the dining table.
And You’re Done!
Now, you have an absolutely gorgeous, “new” table to add to your space! All that’s left for you to do is decorate your table along with your kitchen for a truly successful kitchen makeover.
You know how to paint a dining room table now, but if you’re still contemplating what color would look best in your space, keep reading for some tips from our expert painters.
How to Choose the Right Paint Color for Your Dining Room Table
Think About the Mood You Want in Your Dining Space
Color isn’t just a visual choice—it actually affects how a room feels. And since the dining room is one of the most social areas in your home, you want to get the vibe just right.
1. Light and Airy Colors
If your dining room feels a little dark or small, go for lighter shades that reflect natural light and open up the space. Consider these paint colors:
- Classic white or off-white
- Soft gray
- Pale blue or sage green
Best for: Small spaces, rooms without much natural light, or if you love a simple, minimalist look.
Watch out for: Pure white shows stains easily, so if you have kids (or a love for spaghetti sauce), go for a slightly warmer off-white instead.
2. Bold Statement Piece
If you want your dining table to be the main focus of the room, go for a deep, rich, or vibrant color that stands out.
- Navy blue
- Forest green
- Charcoal or matte black
Best for: Large spaces, modern farmhouse or industrial styles, or if you want to make a big design statement.
Watch out for: Dark colors can make a room feel smaller, so pair them with lighter walls, bright decor, or a fun centerpiece.
3. Cozy and Inviting
When you paint a kitchen table and chairs with earthy, natural tones, you get warmth and comfort. For this type of look, try these colors:
- Warm beige or taupe
- Rich terracotta
- Soft olive green
Best for: Traditional, rustic, or boho styles.
Watch out for: Make sure the color doesn’t clash with your flooring or walls. A sample test is a must.
Consider the Rest of Your Space
You want your dining table to stand out—but not in a way that makes the whole room feel mismatched. It needs to work with what’s already in your home.
1. Look at Your Walls and Floors
If your walls are dark, a lighter table will keep the room from feeling too heavy. However, if your floors are warm-toned wood, avoid yellow-based paint colors that could clash. But if your room is already full of color, a neutral or two-tone table might be the best move.
2. Think About Your Chairs
Your chairs don’t have to match your table exactly, but they should complement it. Some ideas:
- A black table with natural wood chairs.
- A white table with mismatched vintage chairs.
- A dark green table with gold or brass chair accents.
Try Out a Two-Tone Look
Can’t decide between two colors? No problem—use both! A two-tone table can be a really interesting addition to your dining space.
Some popular two-tone combos are:
- Natural wood table top + painted base: The ultimate farmhouse-style look. Stain the table top and paint the legs in white, black, or gray.
- Dark base + lighter top: This is a great combination if you want contrast without overwhelming the space.
- Bold base + neutral top: Navy blue legs with a light wood top, for example, would make for a stunning dining table.
Considering a Full-on Kitchen Makeover? Contact KDP Paintings!
Painting your dining room table is one thing, but if you’re thinking of a larger makeover project like a kitchen remodel, KDP Paintings has you covered with our interior painting services! We offer expert painting services in Long Island, NY, and we’ll be happy to help you bring your vision to life.
Visit our website or contact us at (631) 948-5272 today for a free estimate!
