How to give wood furniture an antique look.

Giving items an antique look is somewhat in the eye of the beholder. There are various techniques which present equally various results; all with their own interesting appeal.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Hammers (ball-peen and standard)
• Large screw (lag-screw)
• Screwdriver
• Large nail
• Other objects for creating depressions

1. Using the ball end of a ball-peen-hammer, gently tap the wood in random patterns to create dimple-impressions like those seen on real antiques.
   
   Caution: hitting too hard will detract from the look, so gently as you go.
2. Using a flat-blade screwdriver and hammer, create small, shallow cuts in the wood.
   
   The cuts should be deep enough to be noticeable, but not so deep that they look like cracks or splits.
   
   Use sparingly as these cuts will darken considerably if and when the piece is stained.
3. Using a large lag-screw (1/4" diameter works well), long enough to hold in one hand and hammer the threads against the wood, to create a series of mysterious bony, fossil-like depressions.
4. There are literally hundreds of other similar tools and objects that could be used to give furniture that antique look.
   
   The key is to use something that is not immediately recognizable, of course.