Painting IKEA furniture: Tips for paints and varnishes in the children's room

Old and dull furniture can be turned into new gems with a little craftsmanship and paint. But this can also go wrong with the wrong technique and the wrong colour. Paint, varnish or wall paint for the furniture? What's the difference anyway? Do you really need a primer? We did some research for you furniture painters and asked Monja from KOLORAT* what you should look out for when painting IKEA furniture. | Image source: KOLORAT | Swantje Hinrichsen

Painting IKEA furniture - expert information

Here we have the most important questions and answers for you on how to paint and varnish furniture correctly.

Paint or varnish - what's the difference?

Paint is ideal for high-quality intermediate and top coats on wooden components, primed metal and rigid PVC indoors and outdoors.
Paint: All interior wall paints from KOLORAT are suitable for painting walls and ceilings, are easy to apply, have a low odour and are environmentally friendly. All colours are also suitable for children's rooms. Every colour in the range is available as a wall paint or varnish. The water-dilutable material is low-odour, highly scratch and impact resistant and suitable for children's toys. It is also diffusible and resistant to standard household cleaning agents and disinfectants.

Painting veneered IKEA furniture

With the right preparation, you can paint veneered furniture quickly and easily. Simply roughen the surfaces with fine sandpaper and apply a primer if necessary. You can then paint the surface with a varnish. This has better adhesion than wall paint and the surface is less sensitive afterwards.

Kinderküche lackiert mit Holzgriffen und Rückwand

1. Sanding veneered furniture before varnishing

It is advisable to roughen the surfaces with fine sandpaper and then remove the sanding dust so that the varnish or paint can adhere optimally later. It is important to note that you do not need to sand everything down, it is sufficient to roughen the surface.

2. How to paint veneered IKEA furniture

If you want to be on the safe side, sand the surface and apply a primer as a first step. Then apply one or two coats of varnish. It is best to use a paint brush to paint corners and edges. When painting smooth surfaces, you will get the best result with a paint roller. The IKEA DUKTIG play kitchen* can be updated with a little lacquer in your favourite colour.

klebefolie ikea duktig kinderkueche koekset toffee 099

Don't fancy painting?

Easily embellish your play kitchen with clever accessories from Limmaland!

Get started now

Painting IKEA pine furniture

Use varnish to paint IKEA furniture made of pine or other wood. To paint the IKEA IVAR wardrobe*, for example, the following steps are necessary:

1. Preparing pine wood

Simply roughen the surfaces with fine sandpaper. You do not need to sand the entire surface. You should mask off the areas that are to remain uncoloured with adhesive tape.

2. Priming wood

Additional priming is only recommended when painting untreated/raw wood with a white or very light-coloured varnish, as untreated wood can release wood-based materials that can make the surface appear yellowish in colour. Otherwise, the varnish can usually be applied straight away.

3. Varnishing furniture

Pour some varnish into your varnish tray. Prepare the corners and edges with a paintbrush, and use a paint roller to achieve the best finish on the straight surfaces. When painting, make sure that you apply the paint evenly. | Image source: @xavi.charlie.and.me

Make it easy for yourself and stick on your IVAR wardrobe!

IKEA hacks with the IVAR

BERGIG

€34.95

Decal for IKEA IVAR wardrobe

BERGIG

€34.95

Decal for IKEA IVAR wardrobe

BERGIG

€34.95

Decal for IKEA IVAR wardrobe

TIERIG

€34.95

Decal for IKEA IVAR wardrobe

TIERIG

€34.95

Decal for IKEA IVAR wardrobe

TIERIG

€34.95

Decal for IKEA IVAR wardrobe

TIERIG

€34.95

Decal for IKEA IVAR wardrobe

WOLKIG

From €14.95

Decal for IKEA IVAR wardrobe

WOLKIG

From €14.95

Decal for IKEA IVAR wardrobe side (30 cm depth)

VIELVALT

€34.95

Decal for IKEA IVAR wardrobe

Can I paint children's toys without hesitation?

As previously mentioned, KOLORAT paint is well suited for use in children's rooms as it is highly scratch and impact resistant and is also diffusible and resistant to standard household cleaning agents and disinfectants. Even the classically colourful IKEA MULA* gets a special look with a little brushstroke. | Image source: @marie_sverndal

Painting IKEA furniture - the best alternatives

if you don't want to go to all the trouble of varnishing and painting, you can also use furniture foil or wall stickers! Because these are available in many different patterns as yard goodscustomised furniture foil, e.g. for the IKEA KURA bunk bed,for the DUKTIG play kitchen or yard goods for the entire IKEA range make the simple IKEA furniture an individual highlight in the children's room or in the whole home.

IKEA Kura Hochbett mit Vorhängen und Weltraumstickern

IKEA furniture laminate

*All links marked with an asterisk are advertising links that refer to the website of IKEA or to pages of other advertising partners.

Comment area