Painting Laminate Furniture

I know you are thinking it can't be done. That crappy $20.00 bookshelf you bought in college that has some how made it 5 years past its probable life expectancy is going to forever be flat black, or laminate oak. But have no fear, it can be done! You can update book shelfs,side tables, and even that Ikea furniture you bought 10 years ago. It is easy but it is not a fast process, I recently started updating and redoing a laminate bunk bed set for my nieces. I know you are probably thinking "why redo laminate when you can just buy something new and pretty" well, because I am a cheap bastard. That is the short answer anyways... 

I also like making something exactly as I see it in my head because I can't always find what I am looking for in the stores. 

So about 3 months ago a deal happened to fall into my lap, almost literally. I was sitting at work minding my own business when the guy next to me stood up and asked if I knew of anyone that would want to buy a bunk bed set with desk. Go back another 4 months and we are just finding out that my sister in law is pregnant with her 3rd and my two nieces are going to be moving into a room together. So I immediately got excited asked how much and got a hold of my sister. A trip to the bank to get cash, and one drive to anthem later my sister was the proud new owner of a kids bunk bed set. There were only a few problems. 

Problem A: The bunk bed was oak laminate (gross)

Problem B: some of the wood slats were broken and/or missing

C: It had been a boys bed and needed a girls touch

Now this is going to be a series of how to update/paint laminate furniture, each step takes a little bit of time and I will be updating as I go

Here is the stock image of the bunk beds

its a good solid foundation for my imagination to go wild. 

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Stay tuned for more updates!!

-L