I have been painting for many years now, and it still never ceases to amaze me just how transformative a pot of paint can be. With a little time, care, and creativity, an object once deemed tired or dated can be completely brought back to life. There’s something deeply satisfying about taking a worn-out piece of furniture—something perhaps destined for the tip—and turning it into a treasured item once more. A coat or two of the right paint, a bit of sanding, and a little patience are often all that’s needed to revive a room.

Over the years, I’ve painted all kinds of furniture: from scuffed-up dining chairs and weary dressers to bookshelves, toy boxes, and side tables. Every piece comes with a unique history and character, and I always find joy in revealing its potential. Not only is this approach cost-effective—breathing new life into something you already own or picking up a second-hand gem—it’s also incredibly creatively rewarding. There’s nothing quite like stepping back to admire a piece you’ve transformed with your own hands, knowing it now has years of life left in it and perhaps even a new story to tell in someone’s home.

Hand-Painted Children’s Furniture: Adding Charm and Character

When it comes to children’s furniture, I find the process even more special. There’s something magical about designing pieces that will sit in a nursery or a child’s bedroom—spaces filled with wonder, play, and growth. That’s why I take particular care when creating our hand-painted nursery bins, ensuring each one is not only functional and durable but beautiful and unique too.

Ethically Made with Purpose

It’s always best to go green wherever possible. For example, our nursery bins are supplied by Claro Enterprises, a wonderful social enterprise based in Yorkshire that supports mental health through meaningful employment. They are always open to new ideas and work closely with their customers, which is why each bin is a unique design, crafted with love and collaboration.

Preparing Your Nursery Bin for Painting

When the bins arrive, they are unpainted and plain white—made from MDF (medium-density fibreboard), which is wonderfully smooth and perfect for painting. The preparation stage is just as important as the painting itself, so we take time to ensure each bin is ready before any colour is applied.

Materials You’ll Need

To prep and paint our nursery bins, we use the following materials:

Clean cotton cloth
Fine-grade sandpaper
Polyfiller
Paintbrush
Small roller
Water-based primer
Water-based eggshell paint

Each tool plays an important part in achieving a smooth and professional-looking finish.

Step-by-Step Painting Process

1. Cleaning the Surface

First, we wipe down the entire bin—inside and out—with a clean, slightly damp cotton cloth. MDF can often arrive with fine dust from the manufacturing process, and it’s vital to remove all of it before painting. Cotton cloths are ideal, as they don’t leave fibres behind that could get trapped in the paint.

2. Filling Gaps and Sanding

Next, we carefully examine the corners and joins for any small gaps. Using a fingertip, we apply polyfiller, smoothing it down as evenly as possible. It’s often better to do this in layers, allowing it to dry between applications for a flawless result.

Once the filler is dry, we lightly sand the filled areas with wet and dry sandpaper. We also sand the edges of the bin to ensure everything is smooth and flush, especially the top rim, which can sometimes be slightly uneven.

Then, we wipe the entire bin again with a damp cloth to remove any dust from sanding.

3. Applying Primer

The first coat of paint is a water-based acrylic primer, which helps create a base for the eggshell to adhere to. You can use a small roller for a smooth finish on the flat surfaces, but you’ll likely need a paintbrush to get into the corners and along the inner panels.

We apply two coats of primer, allowing each to dry thoroughly and giving a light sand between coats, followed by a final wipe-down.

4. Painting with Water-Based Eggshell

The final base coat is a water-based eggshell paint. We use this because it provides a hard-wearing, low-sheen finish that looks both clean and elegant. It’s also low-odour, making it ideal for children's rooms.

Two coats are usually sufficient to give a strong, even base ready for artwork or illustration.

A waste bin after both coats are applied

Adding Illustrations to Nursery Furniture

Once the paint is completely dry, the real fun begins—adding character through hand-painted illustrations. We use artist-grade oil paints on top of the eggshell finish, which is robust enough to hold the paint and allows for soft blending and delicate detailing.

Timeless Designs That Children Love

One of our most popular ranges features classic Beatrix Potter characters—from Peter Rabbit to Jemima Puddle-Duck. These illustrations are not only nostalgic and charming, but they also feature earthy, timeless tones that work beautifully in a variety of nursery colour schemes.

Because each bin is hand-painted, no two are exactly alike. Each becomes a small piece of functional art—personalised and crafted with care.

Interested in your own Beatrix Potter nursery piece? Have a look at our custom children's gifts

Use the Same Technique for All MDF Children’s Furniture

The steps described above aren’t just for bins. You can follow the same technique to paint all kinds of MDF-based children’s furniture, from toy chests and stools to wardrobes and desks. The materials and method remain consistent—you simply adapt them to suit the scale and shape of the piece.

By choosing your colours and artwork, you can customise each piece to fit perfectly into your space. Whether you're going for soft pastels, bold primaries, or natural tones, this process allows total creative control.

Learn More: Painting and Decorating Furniture with Floral Designs

Suppose you're interested in learning more about decorative furniture painting. In that case, I share detailed techniques, tips, and projects in my book, Painting and Decorating Furniture with Floral Designs. It’s packed with step-by-step guides and inspiration for both beginners and seasoned painters.

The Finishing Touch

Hand-painted furniture is truly special, especially when it’s created for children. Each brushstroke adds personality, and each piece becomes something cherished. Whether you're upcycling an old dresser or customising a nursery bin, the process is always rewarding, and the result is something that’s both beautiful and made to last.

With just a little paint and a lot of love, you can completely transform a room, one piece at a time.

Tips for Painting on Furniture: A Guide for Top Results