Welcome to Week four of the One Room Challenge. This week it is all about the bed! In this post I will explain my process for how to paint a bed with chalk paint.
INSPIRATION BOARD
Previously, I was toying with the idea of buying a new bed for my daughter’s bedroom makeover, but I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on a brand new bed. Since I am installing built-in bookcases on either side of the bed I had to commit to a bed size.
I happened to be looking on my neighborhood social site and there was a used Pottery Barn full size bed in great condition for a great price! I love a good bargain and felt like it was meant to be!
The cream-colored, distressed look was fine but not the look I was going for. I knew I wanted to paint it, and since we have been encouraged to use what we have at home I selected my paint color from my current selection. I was pretty sure I wanted to use chalk paint because it is so easy to use. In fact, I used the same paint on this old dresser of mine several years ago.
Paint gives a piece of furniture a whole new look!
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
- Annie Sloan Chalk paint – I used French linen – it’s a warm gray
- Annie Sloan Soft Wax – this is for sealing after painting
- Drop cloth or old bed sheet in my case – to catch any drops of paint and protect your floor
- Soft bristle brush – like a paintbrush you would use to paint a wall
- Fine grit sandpaper – use it to smooth the surface after you paint
- Soft white cloth or old white t-shirt – used to buff the finish
HOW TO PAINT A BED WITH CHALK PAINT
Wipe it down so it’s clean
Sorry for the low quality iPhone photos, but this shows the finish before I started painting and then after 1 coat.
Apply paint – it’s that easy. I actually add a little water to my paint so it’s not so thick and it’s easier to apply this way. My first layer of paint is very thin and you can see the brush strokes but don’t worry, you probably won’t see them after the second coat.
Let dry in between coats – chalk paint dries very quickly so you can re-coat in no time. I applied 3 coats of paint to the bed. No brushstrokes here!
Sand – I do this lightly to give it a smooth finish
Wax – this step is necessary to seal the paint. I use the Annie Sloan wax brush and apply a very light coat or you can use a soft cloth. Simply brush or rub on.
Buff – use a soft cloth or old white t-shirt and rub in circular motions over the wax. This gives it a super smooth finish. I usually wait a few hours or the next day before doing this.
And here it is with the bedding! I love the gray, white and soft aqua color combo.
What do you think? The whole process probably took me 4 days, since I have other things to do too. This is the easiest way to transform a bed or any piece of furniture. In fact, you can’t mess it up. What’s your next DIY project?
If you have any question on how to paint a bed with chalk paint, leave me a comment, and I’ll be happy to answer!
READ MORE ABOUT THIS CHALLENGE
- Tween Girl Bedroom Makeover – Week 1
- One Room Challenge Tween Bedroom – Week 2
- How to Design a Kids Bedroom That Grows with Them – Week 3
See the One Room Challenge featured designers here
See more One Room Challenge guest participants here
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I work with busy families to create beautiful and functional spaces by providing local design services in the Charlotte/Waxhaw area and beyond through online design.
What’s your design style?
Find out what kind of interior design best suits your inner self. From Transitional to Modern, it's time to make your home a place you’ll love!
You can opt-out at any time. Please note we do not share your information with anyone.
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