Can you paint MDF furniture to look nice?  MDF is a budget-friendly option but not very pretty.  You need to know the right products to use.

MDF chest

1

Don't wash MDF! It's best to just wipe it down with a cloth. If needed, lightly sand  then remove the dust.

Prep the MDF

2

Priming with a non-water-based primer is essential Primer protects from water and stops the MDF from swelling.

Prime

3

If primed with non-water-based primer, you can use any paint for MDF.  Painted three coats of the mineral paint, Deep Sea.

Paint

4

It's particularly important to seal the paint to protect the MDF as much as possible. Sealed with two  coats of Clear Coat in Satin. 

Protect the paint

5

To add interest to the chest, added the stencil, Lotus Bloom, with the gold Gemstone Mousse.

Stencil for character

6

Added bronze corner protectors, lightly painted with gold.

Corner protection

7

MDF is heavy, so needs heavy-duty handles.  Drill the handle holes in the right place by marking out the holes first on painter's tape. Then put the tape on the chest and check it's straight with a spirit level.

New handles

8