How to Give Furniture an Antique Look

Bargain furniture doesn't have to look cheap. There are several simple methods of improving secondhand cabinets, chairs, tables and bookcases. One of those methods is called antiquing. It is simple and requires little in the way of supplies and time. Here's how to antique an old piece of furniture.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Household Rags
• Latex Paints
• Oil-based Paints
• Paintbrushes
• Wire Brushes
• Sandpaper

1. Sand and clean the piece thoroughly. Use a wire brush to remove heavy grime. Use a barely damp cloth to remove sanding dust.

2. Paint the piece with a light-colored base coat. Beige, yellow and cream are good colors to start with.

3. Brush on a second coat of paint after the base coat has dried completely. Burnt umber, sienna and olive are all excellent choices for the top accent coat.

4. Use a rag to wipe away the second coat of paint before it dries. Leave some of the darker finish in the corners and cracks. Streaks and shadows are desirable on this type of finish.

5. Allow the piece to dry completely.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use an oil-based paint over latex, but never latex over oil. Oil-based paints exude a substance that prevents other types of paint from sticking.