How Much Does It Cost to Chalk Paint Furniture? [2025 Data]

This article was created using automation technology and thoroughly fact-checked and edited by an Angi Editor in accordance with our AI policy.

The cost to chalk paint furniture averages $200, with most homeowners spending between $100 and $500 per piece. Prices vary based on furniture size, paint quality, and whether you DIY or hire a pro. Chalk painting is often priced per piece, not per square foot.

Chalk painting offers a budget-friendly way to update your home’s style. This guide breaks down all the costs, options, and considerations, so you can plan your next furniture makeover with confidence.

Furniture Chalk Painting Cost Factors

Several factors determine the overall cost to chalk paint furniture. Let’s explore each in detail.

Types

The type of furniture you want to chalk paint plays a big role in cost. Smaller, simpler pieces like side tables or chairs require less paint and time, while larger or more detailed items like dressers and cabinets cost more due to their size and complexity. Intricate details—such as spindles, carvings, or ornate legs—can increase labor time and the amount of paint required.

Size

Furniture size directly influences the cost to chalk paint furniture. Small pieces require less paint and less labor, while large or oversized items need more of both. Multi-piece sets, such as dining suites or bedroom sets, can increase your total cost but may offer some savings per piece if done together.

Materials

The cost to chalk paint furniture also depends on your choice of materials. Well-known brands like Annie Sloan tend to cost more per quart than brands like Behr or Rust-Oleum. Premium paints often provide better coverage and a smoother finish, but standard options can be budget-friendly for less visible pieces. 

You’ll also need brushes, rollers, wax or sealant, sandpaper, and cleaning supplies. Each quart of paint covers 100 to 150 square feet, which is enough for one to two medium pieces.

Labor

Hiring a professional to chalk paint your furniture adds to the total project cost. Labor can be charged per hour or as a flat fee per piece. Hourly rates often range from $25 to $60, depending on your location and the pro’s experience. 

Custom finishes, such as distressing or stenciling, may increase labor rates. Time estimates vary. A small chair could take two to three hours, while a large dresser or cabinet could take six to eight hours or more.

Labor costs also fluctuate regionally. Urban areas or places with high demand for custom furniture finishes might see higher rates. Custom details, repairs, or extensive prep work can further increase the total labor charge.

Prep

Proper surface preparation ensures a lasting, smooth finish and can influence the cost to chalk paint furniture. Prep may include cleaning, sanding, minor repairs, and removing hardware or old finishes. 

Supplies like sandpaper, wood filler, and cleaning solutions add $10 to $30 to your material costs. If your furniture needs significant repairs or finish removal, be prepared for prep costs to add $20 to $100 to the total project cost.

Extensive prep work, such as stripping old paint or fixing damage, increases both labor and material needs. Handling prep yourself can help control costs, but requires time and effort.

Tipping

Tipping for chalk painting services is not mandatory, but it is a thoughtful way to show appreciation for quality work. Standard tips range from 10% to 20% of the labor cost, or a flat $20 to $50 per project. Tipping is more common when hiring independent contractors or small business owners, especially if the job requires extra care or attention to detail.

Additional Cost Factors

You may encounter extra costs for certain decorative finishes or services:

• Techniques like distressing, stenciling, or multi-color finishes often add $30 to $100 per piece. 

• Post-project cleanup, old material disposal, or minor repairs can add $10 to $50. 

• If your furniture needs to be picked up or delivered to a shop, expect delivery fees ranging from $50 to $150.

• Permits are not often required for chalk painting furniture, but if you’re working on historic or high-value pieces, consult local guidelines or restoration experts.

Chalk Painted Furniture Ongoing Costs

Chalk-painted furniture is relatively low-maintenance, but some ongoing costs and upkeep are worth considering.

Maintenance

To keep your chalk-painted furniture looking fresh, regular maintenance is recommended. Periodic waxing helps protect the finish and maintain its soft sheen. Wax or sealant needs to be reapplied every six to twelve months, depending on use. 

A can of furniture wax costs $15 to $30, and gentle cleaners for routine care are under $10. Occasional touch-ups for chips or scratches may also be needed.

Repairs

Common repairs for chalk-painted furniture include fixing chips, scratches, or worn areas. Touching up minor furniture repairs costs $10 to $30 for materials if you do it yourself, or $30 to $100 if you hire a pro. 

If you need to refinish a piece that was previously chalk-painted, stripping and repainting can cost $100 to $300, depending on size and complexity.

Insurance

Most chalk-painted furniture does not require special insurance. However, if you have high-value, antique, or custom-painted pieces, you may want to add them to your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. 

The cost for insuring valuable furniture varies, but is often a small addition to your premium. Consult your provider for details if you have rare or irreplaceable items.

DIY Furniture Chalk Painting vs. Hiring a Pro

Homeowners often wonder if it’s better to tackle chalk painting themselves or hire a pro. Here’s how the costs and considerations stack up.

DIY costs include: 

• Paint: $20 to $45

• Brushes and rollers: $10 to $30

• Wax or sealant: $15 to $30

• Sandpaper and cleaning supplies: $10 to $20

• Optional protective gear: $5 to $15. 

Most DIY projects cost $60 to $120 per piece, assuming you already own some basic tools. Hiring a professional, on the other hand, costs $200 to $500 per item, depending on complexity.

DIY offers significant savings, but the tradeoff is your time, skill, and the risk of mistakes. Professional chalk painters near you provide a higher-quality, longer-lasting finish and may offer warranties or guarantees.

DIY projects take four to eight hours per piece, while a pro may complete the job faster. If you value your time, need a flawless finish, or have a complex item, professional help is often worth the investment.

Cost of Common Chalk Painting Add-Ons

Many homeowners choose to enhance their chalk-painted furniture with special touches. Here’s what you can expect to pay for popular add-ons:

• Decorative distressing or antiquing: $30 to $80 per piece

• Stenciling or custom designs: $40 to $150 per piece, depending on complexity

• Multi-color or ombre finishes: $50 to $120 per piece

• Hardware replacement or upgrades: $10 to $100, based on style and quantity

• Protective topcoat or sealant application: $15 to $40 per piece

• Pickup and delivery services: $50 to $150 per trip

• Minor repairs or structural fixes before painting: $20 to $100, depending on extent.

Tips to Reduce Furniture Chalk Painting Costs

Looking to save on your next furniture makeover? Consider these strategies:

• Buy paint and supplies in bulk if you plan to chalk paint several pieces.

• Choose standard finishes rather than custom, multi-step designs to minimize labor and material costs.

• Prep furniture yourself by cleaning, sanding, and removing hardware ahead of time.

• Shop for paint and materials during sales or use coupons to lower your supply costs.

• Get quotes from several professionals before committing to a service.

• Refurbish or reuse existing hardware instead of purchasing new handles or knobs.

• Join group workshops or classes, which can offer discounted rates for multiple projects.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.