How to Make New Furniture Look Rustic
If you’re thinking of refurbishing your newly bought furniture, you may be wondering how to make new wood look aged and rustic. New wood is usually very straight and precise, but rounded edges can give it a more weathered and worn appearance. To achieve this, you can use coarse-grit sandpaper or orbital sander to round the edges of your new pieces. The rounded edges can also be achieved around the legs of furniture.
Wire brushing
To distress wood, the first step is to remove any soft spots. Then, use a wire brush to remove excess wood, letting the grain shine through. Run the wire brush back and forth over the surface of the wood, following the grain. Once the wood dries, you can sand down any remaining rough spots with fine-grit sandpaper. If you’d like your finished piece to have wormholes and random patterns, try drilling holes through individual pieces.
Staining
There are many reasons to stain new furniture to give it a rustic look. Adding a stain to new furniture will highlight the grain, make common wood look rare, or even change the color of a piece. Depending on the type of wood you choose, staining can also solve problems like restoring the color of a piece that has been bleached or otherwise neglected. The process is not required on all types of wood, and you should always test an inconspicuous area of the furniture before you apply the stain.
Dry brushing
One of the newest techniques to create a vintage or antique look is dry brushing. This method adds dimension to wooden pieces by carrying just enough paint from the can to the surface. When used correctly, it can create an aged, worn look to your furniture. A partially loaded dry brush works best for creating streaky effects and a fully loaded brush is better for even coats. To learn how to dry brush furniture, watch this video by Barb from Design Sponge.
Staining with a gray stain
Grey wood stains give a new piece of furniture a stylish and classic weathered look. This classic look has become famous with homeowners due to its versatility and ability to add a contemporary flair to new wood. They are also perfect for bringing old wood back to life and can add a modern touch to your home. Grey wood stains are a great way to make your furniture look rustic and beautiful without the hassle of refinishing it.
Adding wormholes
If you have recently bought new furniture and would like to give it a rustic look, you should consider adding wormholes to it. Wormholes in wood are a common and attractive feature of rustic furniture. If the wood you’re using is too expensive to add wormholes naturally, you can add a small number of wormholes to create a natural look.
