How to Give Furniture a Rustic Look
There are a few different ways to give the furniture a rustic look, and the results will depend on your personal preference. First, paint your furniture with a layer of paint, or distress it with a sandpaper block. To create a more opaque look, you may choose to apply a second layer of paint and allow it to dry. After the second layer of paint dries, determine how much wear you’d like the furniture to have. The more sanding you do, the more weathered and subtle the patina.
Chalk paint
Before applying the new Chalk Paint, you should thoroughly clean the piece of furniture. You may wish to use Goo Gone for this, but warm water and soap are also acceptable. Once the piece has dried completely, you may wish to lightly sand any rough patches. However, you don’t need to sand the entire piece before applying the Chalk Paint. Instead, you can just choose to lightly distress the piece.
The first step in chalk painting furniture is cleaning the piece. Make sure there is no dirt or dust on the surface, as these will prevent a smooth finish. You may also need to make any necessary repairs before applying the paint. Once the piece is clean and dry, you should begin by painting the surface on the side that won’t receive as much air. Chalk Paint dries very quickly, so work in sections.
Latex paint
If you have ever wished to paint your wood furniture with a rustic finish, you should be aware of the dangers of latex paint. The paint dries quickly and does not cure well, leaving the wood with a soft finish that is prone to chipping and scratching. As a result, latex paint is not recommended for furniture that will see heavy use. In addition, latex paint bonds to the surface layer of the wood, making it more likely to scratch and chip. Moreover, touch-ups may be necessary in the future.
You can also distress your furniture with flat latex paint. This type of paint is easy to sand and distress with water and vinegar. You can also layer two colors to create different looks. If you prefer, you can choose two different colors and use a contrasting finish. This way, you will get different finishes without having to shell out too much money. You can even add a touch of metallic paint for a more sophisticated finish.
Dry brushing
For a truly rustic look, try dry brushing your furniture. It’s a method that gives a new finish to old wooden furniture, and it’s especially perfect for rustic, cottage, or farmhouse decor. You can use this method to revive a piece you found at the flea market or even a piece from grandma’s attic. Here are some steps to get started.
First, prepare your painting area. You need to make a gap of two-and-a-half inches. You can’t dry the brush directly from the solid color line, so you need a blending area. Your goal isn’t to create a solid horizontal line but an uneven one that’s dotted with vertical paint strokes. This technique is especially effective if you’re painting a desk, as it allows you to apply several coats of paint vertically and add dimension to the piece.
Using a wooden block
Adding a rustic look to your furniture is easy to do. A wooden block can be dipped in paint and used to scrape off excess paint, allowing the wood to breathe and look aged. This technique works well with wood that has a lot of texture, such as reclaimed boat wood. You can apply this technique to painted wood or raw wood and the result will be a look that resembles distressed wood.
