How to distress furniture

If your old dining room table is in need of a surge of life, repainting it will instantly update its style whilst offering an extremely affordable décor option. There are a number of ways in which to complete this task and one includes distressing the furniture to make it appear a lot older than it actually is. Another involves sanding it down and painting it a hot hue.

In the past, distressed furniture was frowned upon and peeling paint, scratched surfaces and nicked wood were a sign that the item in question was nearing its end. Shabby chic is now all the rage though, and many will go out of their way to re-create this look.

Thankfully the process is simple and can be completed relatively quickly. The first stage requires a clear concept and in order to carry out the process you’ll need to invest in a few handy tools. You should begin by deciding on a style. This could be an old paint colour, a mixture of two shades or alternatively a brighter shade peeking through a softer topcoat.

If the dining room table is on a larger scale, you may wish to invest in a new set of dining room chairs as opposed to repainting existing ones. Combining a distressed table with random, quirky chairs and colourful cushions will work to create an eclectic style and one that is perfect for a modern-day home.

You should begin by sanding the object you wish to distress. If the table has previously been varnished, you’ll have to spend a little longer on this task. Once this is complete, choose a base colour and paint the entire surface area of the table. When dry, begin sanding the edges and areas that would usually become distressed over time, as this will keep the look natural. Wax and then rub with wire wool to distress the object even further.

Some will choose to add a stain to the finished article, which can both age and mute the colours selected. Clear polyurethane will keep the colour as it is and if investing in this product you should opt for water-based polyurethane which remains clear over time.

This is a guest post provided by Sainsbury’s. If you’re looking for dining room furniture, whether distressed or otherwise, then a dining room set from here is a great option. Take a look online to see what you could find.