In the right space, white furniture can look clean and inviting. But sometimes it can look plain old boring. If you have some pieces that could use a little something, consider giving them your own special touch. Painting and decorating your white furniture will give your space a look that's inspired by your own style and artistic skills.
1 Select a piece of white furniture, such as a white wicker end-table or a solid-surface headboard. Cover the areas of the piece that you don't want to paint with masking tape.
2 Select a stencil that complements the theme of your room or just suits your taste. For example, a whimsical vine design can complement a sunroom. Put the stencil to the spot that you want to paint. Hold it in place with a strip or two of masking tape.
3 Dip the tip of a paintbrush of your choosing into a pot of acrylic paint.
4 Apply the paint-soaked brush to the outlined area of the stencil. Use dabbing motions around the inner outline. This creates the outline of the design.
5 Dip the brush into another paint color after cleaning the old paint from it, or select a new brush. Choose a color that contrasts with the color used to outline the stenciled design.
6 Use dabbing motions within the stenciled outline to color in the design. Let the stenciled area dry for 30 minutes.
7 Remove the stencil and masking tape holding it in place. This reveals your painted design. Add accents with different colors of paint to create shading and detail. For example, different shades of green can accent leaves, stems and other parts of floral designs.
