Step 1
Select a 4-inch-long paint roller, or one designed for painting the small, narrow surfaces found on furniture. Avoid using a wall rolling unit.
Step 2
Place a paint roller screen inside the paint bucket or on the roller tray. Dip the nap -- the fuzzy part of the roller -- into the paint to get a layer of paint on the bottom edge. Avoid dipping the entire roller unit into the paint. Roll the nap over the paint screen to get an even coating of paint on the nap and remove excess paint that could cause drip marks. Repeat the dip and screen roll process until the roller is evenly covered in paint.
Step 3
Roll across the furniture lightly with the paint roller. Avoid pressing down on the roller to prevent paint marks and bubbles.
Step 4
Paint the middle of a table or chair seat surface as the first step to prevent drip marks down the side of the furniture from excess paint on the roller. Paint toward one edge and then the other edge to complete the surface.
Step 5
Smooth the paint on the furniture by rolling over it without adding more paint to the roller. This also removes excess paint that leaves marks on the furniture.