---
title: Easily Transform Cheap Furniture with Chalk Paint [VIDEO]
description: Twin Cities Habitat ReStore's Jan Hagerman shows an easy step-by-step transformation of cheap furniture using chalk paint.
---

[ReStore Blog ](https://restore.tchabitat.org/blog)

# [Easily Transform Cheap Furniture with Chalk Paint [VIDEO]](https://restore.tchabitat.org/blog/transform-cheap-furniture-with-chalk-paint)

 Written by [ReStore Staff](https://restore.tchabitat.org/blog/author/restore-staff) | 2:29 PM on October 19, 2016

Chalk painting is a really popular and easy technique to give your furniture a velvety, vintage look, or more of a distressed look. Twin Cities Habitat ReStore's Jan Hagerman shows you how to transform cheap furniture with [chalk paint](https://restore.tchabitat.org/blog/how-to-make-your-own-chalk-paint-video).  

## Prep Steps

[Start with an old piece of furniture from home](https://restore.tchabitat.org/restorediy). Or, if you don't have one, come to ReStore and we can help you out. 

Clean it with warm, soapy water, or TSP.

If this is going to be a more permanent piece, you should sand it. You don't have to do all that prep, but it really does help it last.

## Handling the Chalk Paint

Chalk paint dries out very quickly, so use a resealable container. And keep plastic wrap around for the brush.

If chalk paint gets too thick, add a little bit of water to thin it out.  

## Paint the Furniture

Start with a light coat of [chalk pain](https://restore.tchabitat.org/blog/how-to-make-your-own-chalk-paint-video)[t](https://restore.tchabitat.org/blog/how-to-make-your-own-chalk-paint-video), which will dry very quickly.

In another 20 or 30 minutes, give it another coat.

And when you're done painting, give it a light sand. 180 or 200 grit sandpaper works beautifully.

You can either finish it with a paste wax or polyurethane. Either one will give it a nice, velvety smooth finish.

**PRO TIP:** You can save even more money by making your own chalk paint. [Click here for Jan's DIY video](https://restore.tchabitat.org/blog/how-to-make-your-own-chalk-paint-video). 

<https://restore.tchabitat.org/cs/c/?cta_guid=a95ed10d-27b7-4f53-bfb6-8ad438804749&signature=AAH58kH6Jlr_p3DOqhu2HrnouO8eAsX5WQ&pageId=4379952121&placement_guid=45453221-d752-4bdc-ba14-8923b77e7f03&canon=https%3A%2F%2Frestore.tchabitat.org%2Fblog%2Ftransform-cheap-furniture-with-chalk-paint&portal_id=2104054&__hstc=166324513.4d1eba2bfa934306705abc0c2d8a4761.1620413096372.1620413096372.1620413096372.1&__hssc=166324513.100.1620413096372&__hsfp=1561754925&hsutk=4d1eba2bfa934306705abc0c2d8a4761&contentType=blog-post>

[View full post](https://restore.tchabitat.org/blog/transform-cheap-furniture-with-chalk-paint)

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