11 Ways to Use Old Fashioned Milk Paint in Your Home

Accent Walls

Try creating a stunning accent wall. Milk paint comes in a variety of colors, so go for a light color behind the open shelves in your kitchen or use a dark gray in your home office. Since milk paint splatters more than traditional paints, be sure to use a drop cloth for easy clean up.

Headboards

Create a DIY headboard and then finish it with milk paint. Just avoid using pallets for a DIY headboard as the wood can harbor bugs, mold and harsh chemicals.

Finish a Dining Table

Give your dining table a fresh look by refinishing the table top and painting it with milk paint. The Creativity Exchange has a lot of tips for DIYers looking to use milk paint on wood furniture. Cyndy, who runs the blog, says milk paint is easy to work with and there are plenty of tricks you can try to get different looks.

Photo: The Creativity Exchange

Boxes and Crates

Try reviving old fruit boxes or crates with milk paint. Then use the crates to help keep your mudroom organized.

Wood Cutouts or Frames

Milk paint works great for painting wood cutouts such as hearts or stars, or for finishing wood picture frames. Visit your local thrift store to find inexpensive items that you can transform into works of art.

Media Consoles

Try stripping a dated-looking television console or bookshelf and giving it a new look with milk paint. You can also try turning an old dresser into a media console—there are several how-to guides available online.

Outdoor Benches

Milk paint can be used on outdoor furniture, such as benches and chairs. You can purchase an additive to help the paint stay vibrant and durable outside. Consider using milk paint to refinish a tired-looking porch swing.

Birdhouses

Here’s a fun project to do with young DIYers—paint a birdhouse with milk paint.

If want to make the birdhouse, follow these plans to build a modern-style birdhouse, perfect for painting.