How To Paint Laminate Furniture

by Rachel · Updated Mar 20, 2025 · 22 Comments

Learn how to paint laminate furniture and cabinets easily with this step-by-step tutorial. Tips, product recommendations, and information on how to identify a laminate surface. Avoid frustrating mistakes for a professional grade piece that shines!

Grey painted desk with black chair in man's office space. Post title including how to paint laminate furniture overlay.

Table of Contents

I’ve been painting furniture and cabinets for many years, and I’ve learned a lot of dos & don’ts to achieve a no-fail bond that will last for years. While melamine or other laminate surfaces can be a total nightmare to paint, it is possible to get a professional looking paint job on these tricky surfaces.

Rachel’s Tip: My time-honored recommendations below explain the how and why of painting. Scroll to the bottom for a step-by-step guide with a printable materials list.

Our Project

My husband’s desk is a treasured hand-me-down hand from his dad. He has fond childhood memories of playing underneath it. Needless to say, I was under pressure to get this furniture makeover just right! We painted it as part of his masculine office makeover.

A used executive desk with a heavy plastic top and laminate drawer fronts. — This desk has a heavy plastic top and laminate drawer fronts, with printed sides and decorative solid wood trim pieces.

How to Identify Laminate

Here are some tips on how to accurately identify laminate:

By touch: Laminate often feels different from real wood. It may produce a plasticky sound when tapped with a fingernail or look smooth like printed paper.
Check the pattern: Examine the surface closely from an angle. Look for inconsistencies in the wood grain pattern or the absence of expected end grain on edges.
Large surfaces: Solid wood in large pieces is uncommon in furniture. Plywood veneers are often used for cost-effectiveness and stability.
Edges and inside surfaces: Check unseen areas like drawer interiors or underneath the furniture for exposed construction materials, indicating laminate. Even if stained dark, inconsistencies in wood absorption may reveal its true nature.

Recommended Tools and Supplies

The quality of your paint job is only as good as the products you use!

Cleaning Agent – TSP, Krud kutter or other soap that won’t leave a residue.
Orbital Sander
Sandpaper - 120 grit
Painter's Tape
Paint Brush - My favorite for a smooth finish is 1.5-inch taklon brushes available at Michael's and other craft stores. I’ve also used Wooster Angled Brushes and Purdy.
Microfiber rollers - the kind for smooth surfaces that won't shed.
Supplies for repairs.
Paint Stirrer
Drop Cloths
Blocks of Wood or a Table to paint the bottom edges.
Primer – I only recommend Kilz Adhesion and INSL-X Stix Bonding Primer (available at Ace Hardware and Benjamin Moore Stores).
Paint

What paint should I use?

My post on the best paint for furniture is a great companion for any laminate furniture painting project. Laminate doesn’t require a specific type of paint, but your primer and topcoat are key.

Antique desk before DIY makeover with hardware removed.

Do I Need to Sand?

There are many types of laminated surfaces, and some can’t be sanded. If it’s possible, I recommend sanding with 120-grit sandpaper and a random orbital sander. Additional grip increases the bond.

Printed paper laminate– I’ve had success both sanding and not sanding these surfaces. For areas like the sides of cabinets, I generally lightly sand enough to remove the print, but not enough to remove the paper covering. You can see an example in this post on painting kitchen cabinets.

Melamine or hard plastic laminate – Most hard plastics don’t sand very well, if at all. Test in a very inconspicuous area. Roughing up or removing glossy surfaces will always create more surface area for a better bond, but splintering is not good.

If you don’t own a great random orbital sander – Skip sanding. Hand sanding with traditional sandpaper will likely lead to swirl marks and cramped hands.

Painting a dresser white with a paintbrush.

What Primer to Use

The primer that you choose is HUGE to the success of your project. Don’t choose paint + primer.

There are only a few primers I trust with a job this tricky – Stix^® Waterborne Bonding Primer or Kilz Adhesion for hard plastic coatings. I was also satisfied with Fusion Mineral Ultra Grip on printed laminate for this painted dresser. I haven’t tested Behr’s Bonding Primer, but that’s another available option.

Prepare to spend a bit more than your standard primers. It’s worth it for the peace of mind and longevity. One coat of primer will not be enough, apply two coats of primer for good coverage.

Can I skip priming? Almost 50% of my cabinet painting clients bring me in to fix someone else’s inadequate paint job! In truth, priming is essential for a professional grade paint finish that lasts, especially for high traffic pieces.

While I’ve seen tutorials about not priming a piece of laminate furniture, I can’t vouch for how well the projects held up to daily use years later. I have seen many that haven’t.

If you do it right the first time, you avoid the headache of having to do it all over again!

Polished brass hardware on vintage gray desk makeover in home office.

Painting: Quick Tips for a Smooth Finish

Test your paint and primer. Scratch test with your fingernail in an inconspicuous place, several days after priming. Paint may take up to 30 days to reach maximum hardness, although this is a good indicator of how successful the bond is.
Some paints like a microfiber roller, others like a dense foam roller. Test both or research for your specific product.
Always brush in one direction, end to end, and try not to go back over paint that is set. It’s actually easier to sand a spot between coats after the paint has set.
Always brush the details first and then roll the flat section. If I’m doing a drawer front, I brush the edges and then immediately roll the flat front.
From a beginner standpoint, look for brushes that are soft, long bristled, and don’t separate when you apply pressure.
Read our top tips for painting without brush marks here.

Sealing with a Topcoat

This is essential for a long-lasting finish when working with laminate surfaces. There are a few paints that don’t require a polyacrylic topcoat for maximum durability but check with the manufacture. Personally, I still err on the side of caution.

Read my best topcoats for furniture recommendations here!

Black office chair in front of gray vintage desk with brass hardware after makeover.

More painting furniture Techniques

The desk’s surface was in great shape, only the molding around the top required refinishing. This project turned out so well that my reaction was akin to one of those TV room makeover recipients!

FAQs

What kind of paint should I use?

Any of the best paints for furniture I have listed here are great if you use the hi-bond primers. While I recommend a high-quality paint with a durable finish, I don’t necessarily recommend a specific paint beyond my general recommendations. I highly recommend using a sealing topcoat for this project. It will make the paint last much better and longer.

Is it hard to paint laminate cabinets or furniture?

The process is no harder than painting solid wood. However, the products you use for maximum durability are critically important, and more so than painting other types of cabinets or furniture.

Can you paint laminate without priming?

I would never recommend painting laminate without a high bond primer. Ask yourself if you really want to do this project again in a year or less just because it didn’t hold up. The risk isn’t worth it.

Grey Desk with Brass Hardware and a wood top. This antique painted desk update used gray chalk paint to create a regal style.

And what did the hubby think? To be honest, the change took some time to acclimate to. He loves the update, but this is a piece of furniture that he’s been attached to for 30 years. It’s a tad bitter-sweet for him.

Weekend DIY project. A pegboard organizer in the craft room above the desk workspace.

More Furniture Methods and Makeovers

PS I love seeing your creations! Be sure to take a photo and tag #cravingcreative on Instagram! You can also stay in touch with me through following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and subscribing to the newsletter!