Does anyone know if you can just paint over furniture?

[OrangeLavenders]

I've seen these sideboards that I like but I want them white/off white.

Never painted anything before... Just wondering if I could paint this with egg shell paint and it'll be okay? Can I still clean them if they're painted?

Thanks so much

Chalk paint is your friend for this. I’ve done loads of furniture with it, just wack it on, no sanding or anything.
i think Aldi have some at the moment £4.99 for a tin.

I’ve never varnished mine and they just about clean up with a wipe over ok. But if it was somewhere I knew it would need regular scrubbing I’d varnish it.

Two tips: 'key' your surface with liquid sandpaper (much less messy than sanding) and try those little foam mini-rollers to get a really smooth effect.

Chalk paints are great--can add a layer of wax for protection.

Yes, chalk paint is fabulous, just goes on over anything.

Thank you, so chalk paint and varnish on top?

I didn't think of chalk paint as I thought that was strictly a shabby chic look, which I'm not really after

Chalk paint it. I've used Annie Sloan & Frenchic. Then I 'varnish' with a wax finish varnish by Polyvine. I've painted loads of pine/oak furniture like this and it's gorgeous.

Yes chalk paint needs no prep at all. You can even paint it on over wax. Just make sure it's clean and not dusty.
You then get to have fun making it look antiquey by sanding bits.

I buy a lot of second hand furniture and paint it. Generally better quality and a lot cheaper.

However I appreciate this is a shit time to be hunting down second hand shops etc

I've painted over most of the wooden varnished architraves and shirting boards in our house. I've used liquid sander, followed by a coat of Zinsser Bin and painted on top. The first rooms were done years ago and it's worked perfectly. I would highly recommend it.

I used v33 furniture paint. It is self priming. I painted a pine TV stand and also a mango wood chest of drawers. I didn't use chalk paint as I don't like the effect. V33 is a mid sheen finish.