Paint for wood

Give your wooden furniture a new lease of life with paint. From dining tables, dressing tables and cupboards to chairs, picture frames and garden furniture, a fresh colour or beautiful metallic finish can completely transform a piece you already own.

Explore Jubilee for smooth, solid colour, Bleo for a stained effect that lets the wood grain show through, or our GILD Originals and Super GILD metallic paints for decorative details and statement finishes. With options for indoor and outdoor projects, there’s a finish to suit everything from a favourite piece of furniture to a garden makeover.

A wooden blanket box painted blue with a white stencilled pattern, beside a cream stool and stacked hat boxes

Shop paint for wood

68 paints and finishes that work on wood.

All products 68

Which paint for your wood?

From rich, beautiful colour to natural wood grain and shimmering metallic details, explore the different ways to bring your wooden projects to life.

Compare our paints for wood

Not sure which paint is right for your project? Compare finishes, surface preparation, outdoor suitability and drying times to help you choose.

On this surfaceJubilee Bleo GILD Originals Super GILD Chrome
FinishSolid, opaque colourSoaks into the surfaceSoft metallic sheenBright, highly reflectiveMirror-like silver
Covers the grain
Goes on bare wood Seal it first Seal it first
Over varnished woodAfter light sandingAfter sanding back to bare woodSand, prime if oil-basedSand, prime if oil-based
Outdoors
Top coatOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional, Gloss advised outdoorsNever
Touch dryAbout 30 minutesAbout 1 hourAbout 1 hourAbout 30 minutesAbout 4 hours
A garden chair painted in Jubilee white, on a lawn

Painting outdoor wooden furniture

From garden benches, tables and chairs to wooden sheds, fences, gates and front doors, a fresh coat of paint can completely transform your outdoor spaces.

British weather can be hard on exterior wood. Rain, sunshine and changing temperatures all take their toll, so choosing a quality outdoor wood paint is important.

For beautiful, solid colour, choose Jubilee

Its water-based, highly pigmented formula delivers rich colour with a smooth, self-levelling finish. Water-resistant and scratch-resistant once cured, Jubilee is ideal for painting wooden garden furniture, doors, sheds and other exterior woodwork.

Better still, Jubilee requires no primer on most properly prepared surfaces and no separate top coat for normal outdoor use. So you can spend less time on unnecessary extra steps and more time enjoying the results.

Prefer a finish that shows off the natural wood grain?

Bleo offers a different approach. Designed for porous surfaces, it soaks into the timber rather than forming an opaque layer, adding rich colour while allowing the grain to remain visible. Once dry, Bleo provides a durable, water-resistant finish without the need for a separate top coat.

Painting existing outdoor wood?

Previously painted, varnished or oiled surfaces may need different preparation before repainting. Jubilee can be applied to a sound, fully cured existing finish once correctly cleaned and prepared. Bleo, on the other hand, needs bare, porous timber to soak in and create its stained effect.

See these paints in action

Jubilee: How to paint wooden garden furniture, a step-by-step guide to preparing and painting garden furniture with Jubilee.

Bleo: Restoring American porch rockers with Bleo Dark Chocolate, how Bleo adds colour while keeping the natural wood grain visible.

Made with wood

Projects from the Making blog.

How to paint wooden garden furniture

How to paint wooden garden furniture

A pair of Adirondack chairs refreshed in Jubilee Old English White, with no sanding. How to paint wooden garden furniture that stands up to British weather.

Read more
How to paint and upcycle furniture: a complete guide

How to paint and upcycle furniture: a complete guide

A step-by-step guide to painting and upcycling furniture with Jubilee, from preparation and paint choice to colour and a finish that lasts.

Read more
Gold metallic furniture: a statement cabinet makeover

Gold metallic furniture: a statement cabinet makeover

A traditional wooden cabinet reimagined by Marcie K Designs in Super GILD Gold and Jubilee Verdigris. Bold proof that colour and metallics can work together.

Read more

Questions about painting wood

Do I need to prime wood before painting?

Not usually. Jubilee doesn’t require a primer on most properly prepared wooden surfaces, while Bleo is designed to soak into bare, porous wood. GILD Originals and Chrome require bare wood to be sealed or primed first. Previously painted or treated surfaces may need additional preparation depending on the finish. Resinous wood will need stain blocking with a shellac-based stain blocker.

Can I paint furniture without sanding?

Yes, sometimes. If the wood is clean, dry, sound and already has a matt surface, sanding won’t be necessary with Jubilee. Glossy or varnished surfaces usually need light sanding to help the paint adhere. Always remove loose or flaking paint first.

Can I paint over varnished or waxed wood?

Yes, with the right preparation. Varnished wood generally needs cleaning and light sanding to create a matt surface before applying Jubilee, GILD Originals or Super GILD metallic paints. If the varnish is oil-based, prime it first before GILD Originals or Super GILD. Wax must be thoroughly removed because it can prevent paint from adhering. For Bleo’s stained effect, previously finished wood needs to be stripped or sanded back to bare, porous timber.

Which paint is best for outdoor wood?

For painting wooden garden furniture, including benches, tables and chairs, Jubilee is ideal for a smooth, solid-colour finish. It’s water-resistant and scratch-resistant, with no separate top coat needed for normal outdoor use. Bleo adds colour to porous timber while keeping the natural grain visible, and Super GILD is suitable for metallic details on outdoor wood.

How long before painted furniture can be used?

With Jubilee, the surface is touch-dry in approximately 30 minutes and ready for another coat after around two hours. Full curing takes approximately 21 days. Furniture can be used gently while curing, but avoid heavy wear and prolonged moisture exposure until the finish has fully hardened. Other Guild Lane paints have different drying and curing times.

Will Bleo cover the wood grain?

No. Bleo soaks into porous wood, adding colour like a stain while allowing the natural grain to remain visible. For a smooth, solid-colour finish that covers the grain, choose Jubilee.

Painting something else?