Upcycling furniture is more than a weekend task; it is a form of creative restoration. Whether you are reviving a forgotten chair or transforming a chest of drawers, painting furniture can bring new life to old pieces. With Guild Lane's Jubilee Collection, created in the UK, you can create richly characterful pieces that honour heritage while embracing modern craft.
This step-by-step guide offers everything you need to know, from preparation and paint choices to colour styling and durability, using our British-made Jubilee Fine Furniture Paint.
There is something quietly satisfying about preserving the structure of a piece while changing its surface story.
Painting furniture:
With Jubilee's heritage-inspired palette and durable finish, even beginners can create furniture that endures, made not just to suit the space, but to elevate it. Older furniture is often made to last, but can feel outdated in modern homes. Painting gives these pieces years more life, preserving them rather than letting them be discarded.
Guild Lane's Jubilee Collection is made for beginners, makers, creators, DIY enthusiasts, and interior stylists alike. On solid wood, MDF, metal, and masonry, Jubilee offers exceptional coverage and a refined, heritage-style finish.
Jubilee Fine Furniture Paint is simple to apply and delivers a smooth, professional finish. Its water-based advanced CC22 resin system is low in VOCs, easy to clean up, and certified safe for use on children's toys.
For high-use furniture such as desks or kitchen cupboards, our clear water-based topcoat can be applied for added protection, although Jubilee performs beautifully on its own.
Before you begin, gather the right tools to ensure a smooth, professional finish.
You will need:
Using good quality tools makes a noticeable difference to the final result and helps Jubilee's self-levelling formula perform at its best.
Remove dirt and grease using a suitable degreaser. Dry thoroughly. Waxed surfaces will need white spirits and steel wool to remove wax residue. Clean well after this step. Remove hardware, make any repairs needed and fix any damage. If wood filler has been used, sand smooth and wipe dust before painting.
You aim to paint a clean, smooth, matt surface. Use 120 to 180 grit sandpaper after cleaning and allowing to dry, to dull any glossy surfaces. This improves adhesion, ensuring you get good, durable results.
Jubilee is a self-priming 3-in-1 formula. On most surfaces, no separate primer is required. For difficult glossy materials like Melamine or Laminate, light sanding or adhesion priming may be needed. For resinous wood, apply a shellac-based stain-blocking primer.
Stir thoroughly. Use a good quality synthetic brush for details and a roller for larger flat surfaces. Apply thin, even coats. Thicker coats of paint can cause unwanted brush marks. Do not overwork the paint, as this can also create unwanted texture. Apply with the grain in long, even brushstrokes. Allow 1 to 2 hours between coats.
Apply a second coat for depth and durability. Paint with the grain for best results. Two thin coats are always better than one thick coat of paint.
A topcoat is not required on most projects. For high-use surfaces, such as table tops, kitchen cabinetry, a clear water-based topcoat can add extra protection.
Jubilee Fine Furniture Paint offers excellent coverage. A little goes a long way, making it an economical choice for your DIY projects.
On average, one litre covers approximately 12 to 15 square metres per coat. Two coats are recommended.
Small projects: 125 ml to 250 ml
Medium projects: 250 ml to 500 ml
Large projects: 500 ml to 1 litre
Surface absorbency: If your surface is porous, it will absorb more on the first coat.
Colour changes: Going from a dark surface colour to a light paint colour may take more coats for full coverage.
Level of preparation: Good prep will ensure a smoother application.
Application method: Using a sprayer will use more paint than a roller or brush.
Number of coats: Two coats of Jubilee are all that is needed for full coverage.
Jubilee is touch-dry in around 30 minutes. Furniture can be gently used after 24 hours. Full cure takes approximately 21 days. Handle with care during the first few days as the finish continues to harden.
Once fully cured, simple care will keep your furniture looking beautiful.
Proper care helps maintain Jubilee's durable finish for years.
Jubilee is ideal for kitchen cabinets thanks to its durable, hard-wearing finish. Once cured, it resists scuffs, knocks, and frequent cleaning.
Its heritage colour range allows you to create classic or contemporary kitchens with a timeless feel. The paint levels beautifully for a smooth, professional result.
Discover more painted kitchen inspiration on our Pinterest board, where colour is used with confidence across cabinets, islands and architectural detail.
One litre covers approximately 12 to 15 square metres per coat.
Most standard kitchens require 1 to 2 litres for two coats. Smaller kitchens may need only 1 litre.
Always measure surfaces and allow a little extra. As with all painted cabinetry, allowing the full 21-day curing period before heavy use ensures the hardest, most durable finish.
Kitchens attract airborne grease, which can prevent paint adhesion. Thorough preparation is the difference between a finish that lasts and one that chips early.
On cabinets with heavy staining, old flaking paint, or particularly glossy factory finishes, a suitable primer may be required.
Proper preparation ensures a long-lasting, professional finish.
Solid or veneered wood
Previously painted furniture
MDF
Metal
Sealed stone or ceramic
Resinous wood (use stain-blocking primer)
Oily or waxed surfaces (must be fully removed
using white spirits and wire wool)
Factory plastic-coated surfaces often have an
added resistant coating applied
IKEA style melamine and Laminate
Choosing the right colour sets the tone for your project. Whether painting a sideboard, dresser, or cabinets, thoughtful colour selection makes a difference. We have created two tools to help you with colour choice. These tools help you visualise your choices and paint with confidence.
Use the Colour Picker to discover considered pairings based on your chosen colour.
The Colour Wheel reveals balanced pairings for contrast, harmony, and layered finishes.
Jubilee is a great option for outdoor use. Our high pigment load ensures UV-stable colour in all weather conditions.
Ideal for garden furniture, porches, and outdoor décor. See our painting outdoor project guide.
It's always a thrill to start a new project, but avoiding these mistakes while painting furniture will ensure a better finish.
Not always. Use stain-blocking primer on resinous wood. Or an adhesion primer on slick, high sheen surfaces.
Jubilee has a built-in topcoat. Optional use for high-use surfaces.
Jubilee can be used to paint over old painted surfaces if the surface is clean, matt, and sound.
Touch dry in 30 minutes, recoat in 1 to 2 hours. Fully cured in 21 days. Gentle use within one day.
You can use Jubilee through a sprayer. Dilute by around 10 per cent for spray painting.
To paint furniture is to preserve and renew. With Jubilee, every stroke is a gesture of care and craftsmanship.
By upcycling with durable, low-VOC paint, you reduce waste and extend the life of quality furniture. The upcycling community saves hundreds of tonnes of brown furniture from landfill each year.
Explore the full heritage-inspired colour range and create furniture designed to be lived with, loved, and kept.
Discover the Jubilee Collection and be sure to tag us on socials @guildlane with your latest painting project.
