5 Tips for Minimizing the Appearance of Brushstrokes on Your Painted Furniture Pieces

This post contains affiliate links, where I will receive commissions from your purchases.

Thank you for supporting my blog and read more about my disclosures here.

Looking to achieve the same smooth, flawless finish you get with a paint sprayer when you're painting by hand? Then you'll want to read my top 5 tips for minimizing the appearance of brushstrokes on your painted furniture pieces below.

Tip #1 - Your Brush and Paint Matter

Choose a quality paintbrush and furniture paint for your project. I always choose synthetic-bristle brushes for my furniture and different brushes (angled, round, oval, etc.) for different parts of the piece (flat, curved, trim, etc.) My favorite brushes? Definitely my Country Chic 1.5” oval and all the Zibra brushes. Find your favorite. My preferences are an easy-to-hold handle and a bristles that hold a decent amount of paint. In between coats, simply wrap up your brushes well in plastic wrap and stick them in the fridge rather than washing them after each coat.

For paint? Be sure to look for a brand specifically for painting furniture. There are so many brands out there, try them and see which ones you like best! I usually prefer brands that have all-in-one paint lines (primer, paint, and topcoat in one). A go-to favorite of mine is definitely Farmhouse Paint Company. I consistently use their paints on my furniture projects because of their paint's awesome coverage and self-leveling properties.

(Interested in trying out this paint? You can use the code: GRAINANDPAINT for 10% off your order.)

SOME OF MY PAINTING MUST-HAVES I KEEP BY MY SIDE WITH EACH PIECE I REFINISH

Tip #2 - Make Sure Your Paint is Not Too Thick

Make a small investment in a mister bottle. I mist my brush to keep it damp throughout my painting. Sometimes, I’ll even mist my piece before applying my paint. I also often thin out my paint a bit (a teaspoon or so) with filtered water to increase the open time of my paint slightly. Most furniture paints have a quick dry time (or short open time), so dampening your brush or piece gives you a bit more flexibility in your brush time.

“When a man’s home is born out of his heart and developed through his labor and perfected through his sense of beauty, it is the very cornerstone of life.” – Gustav Stickley

Tip #3 - Don't Overwork Your Paint

Apply your paint in long, thin strokes, but avoid going back over your initial brushstrokes too often. Remember, your paint starts drying the moment you apply it. More thin, even coats are better than thick, overworked ones for minimizing brush strokes.

Tip #4 - Lightly Sand Between Coats

Sand your piece with a fine-grit sandpaper (I use a 320 grit sanding sponge) between each coat of paint. You’ll get a buttery smooth finish by doing this, and level out any brush strokes or irregularities left after coats of paint.

Tip #5 - Don't Forget to Finish Sand Your Piece

This is my favorite part of the painting process because it leaves your painted piece with a buttery-smooth, factory-like finish. Try wet sanding your piece after your final coat of paint. I use super-fine wet sandpaper (2000+grit), misting (with my mister bottle) sections of the piece as I go and wiping back with a microfiber, lint-free cloth. You won't believe the smoothness this process creates!

You CAN Achieve Gorgeous Results with Your Paintbrush!

No paint-sprayer? No problem. You can still achieve the flawless finish you want on your furniture piece by following just these few quick tips. Remember, everything takes time and practice, but believe me, following these trusted tips will go a long way in minimizing the appearance of brushstrokes on your finished piece. Find this information useful or have some tips of your own to share? Be sure to leave a comment, I'd love to hear from you!