The addition of flame retardants and nanoparticles to a commercial lacquer coating are shown to improve its flame retardant performance in the ASTM D3806-98 standard test method for small-scale evaluation of fire-retardant paints. A water-based, clear, acrylic lacquer, commonly used for furniture and kitchen cabinets, was selected as the control coating. Two types of flame retardants were investigated: one type of ammonium phosphate and a mineral-based flame retardant, along with eight types of nanoparticles including two nanoclays. Prior to the flame retardant performance test of the coating formulations, their physical and morphological properties were determined. The pH of all coating formulations tested was measured to be within the acceptable range for finishes used in industry. In measurements of their opacity with a spectrophotometer, all coating formulations were shown to maintain the transparency of the lacquer. Coating formulations containing nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and confirmed to be well distributed. Similarly, the coatings with added flame retardants were shown to be well dispersed with a grind gage. Thermal stability and decomposition kinetics of the different coating formulations were analyzed by the thermogravimetry (TG) method. With the ASTM D3806-98 standard tests, flame advance, the weight of the panel consumed, char index, and insulation value were measured. The results showed that with the addition of 5% of nanoparticles into the lacquer improved flame retardant properties were obtained. However the nanoparticles’ effect in reducing flame advance for the coating was not as significant as the flame retardants. Of the nanoparticles tested, nanoclay, nanosilica and titanium oxide showed the best improvement. It was 15%, 13% and 13% respectively. Some of the nanoparticles, especially alumina ceramic, 35% improvement and organo-nanoclay, 24% improvement, had considerable effect on the char index value of the lacquer. Coating formulations containing both flame retardants and nanoparticles were investigated for any synergies they may induce when used together and shown to further reduce panel consumption when exposed to a flame. When nanoparticles were combined with flame retardants in the coating, the char index value was reduced further in the range of 14% to 20% for the combinations of aluminum hydroxide with nano-clays. TGA results showed that the main decomposition peak of the lacquer was shifted to the higher temperatures, about 40-50 ºC by the addition of the flame retardants.