Can You Chalk Paint IKEA Furniture in 2024? The Complete Expert Guide

Upcycling IKEA furnishings with chalk paint is a budget-friendly way to customize your home and reduce waste. But does chalk paint actually work on IKEA‘s affordable pressed wood pieces? As a home décor writer with over a decade of furniture painting experience, I‘ve explored using chalk paint on IKEA dressers, bookcases and more firsthand.

Here is my complete expert guide with everything you need to know to successfully chalk paint IKEA furniture.

Should You Chalk Paint IKEA Furniture?

The Pros

Chalk painting is ideal for customizing IKEA‘s low-cost furnishings because:

• It‘s budget-friendly – IKEA pieces plus chalk supplies won‘t break the bank
• No skills needed – Anyone can chalk paint with easy techniques
• Eco-conscious – Breathing new life into furniture avoids waste
• Lots of color options – From bold hues to neutral shades that suit any room

The Cons

Potential downsides to consider:

• Takes time – Proper prep and painting steps get involved
• Sealing required – Unsealed chalk paint rubs off easily
• Not all pieces work – IKEA‘s smooth melamine furniture resists paint

Overall, the ease and low cost make trying chalk paint on IKEA products worthwhile for those seeking one-of-a-kind, environmentally-conscious designs.

IKEA Furniture That Chalk Paints Well

Case goods made with porous materials like raw wood, MDF and chipboard take chalk paint beautifully. Pieces to try painting include:

• Bookcases
• Chests of drawers
• Wardrobes
• Bed frames
• Desks
• Dining tables
• Shelving units
• Side/coffee tables

Disassembling first makes painting easier, if furniture allows.

IKEA Items to Avoid Painting

Pieces coated in slippery melamine laminate or thermally fused laminate (TFL) don‘t adhere well, like:

• KALLAX shelf units
• LACK side tables
• MALM dressers

While scuff sanding helps slightly, getting paint to properly stick to these smooth surfaces still proves extremely difficult.

IKEA Product Materials Breakdown

Prep Tips: Get IKEA Furniture Chalk Paint Ready

To help chalk paint grab onto surfaces for flawless adhesion, always prep first:

1. Clean with degreaser – Eliminate any oils, wax or grime
2. Lightly sand – Scuff up shiny areas with 150 grit paper
3. Remove dust – Wipe clean with a dry cloth

Proper prep removes any barrier between the paint and furniture surface so the color adheres directly to the raw material underneath for stability.

How To Apply Chalk Paint to IKEA Furnishings

Follow these steps for smooth, long-lasting chalk painted finishes:

Prime First

Priming coats the surface to improve paint adhesion, especially on ultra-slick pieces like MDF. I recommend Bulls Eye 1-2-3 water-based primer for versatility and low odor.

Paint With a Bristle Brush

Use an oval bristle brush to apply chalk paint. Top budget-friendly brands like Valspar Furniture Paint and Dixie Belle offer great coverage at just $25 per quart.

Smooth With a Foam Roller

Lightly roll the wet paint to even out brush strokes. Wait 2 hours between applying two coats for flawless opacity.

Optional: Add a Colored Glaze

For extra dimension, brush on a translucent glaze shade over the cured chalk paint then immediately wipe away some of the excess. This attractive technique lends a subtle timeworn look.

Seal Properly With Matte Varnish

So the decorative chalk paint finish stays resilient, apply two protective coats of a matte or satin water-based acrylic sealer. I highly recommend Dixie Belle‘s Clear Coat Premium Finish.

Let painted IKEA projects cure 5-7 days before gentle use to prevent damage to the finish.

Handy Tips for Painting IKEA Furnishings

To ensure success revamping IKEA items with chalk paint, keep these extra pointers in mind:

• When disassembling furniture, use markings and labels to reattach properly later on
• Work in a well-ventilated area and use a respirator mask if spraying sealer
• Always test colors and finishes on inconspicuous areas first before diving in
• Buy extra chalk paint for touch ups later if reassembling proves tricky
• Store paint cans upside down to prevent leaking and ground in debris
• Check forecasts and avoid painting outside when rain threatens wet projects
• Ask about color sample pots when selecting hues to confirm you‘ll like the tone

With the right prep work and painting technique, it‘s simple to turn affordable IKEA finds into one-of-a-kind chalk painted statements. Just steer clear of pieces with melamine or thermally fused laminate coats to ensure the paint adheres smoothly.

Let me know if you try transforming your IKEA furniture with chalk paint using my guide! I‘m always happy to offer more tips to help your projects succeed.