Whitewashing Painted Furniture: Step-by-Step Tutorial for Beginners

Would you like a furniture finish that looks custom and expensive? Follow this step-by-step tutorial and master my technique for whitewashing painted furniture. It’s the secret to adding incredible depth and character, transforming a $5 junk shop find into a beautiful, new, modern piece.

We are almost at the end of 2025. Can you believe it? It’s true what they say about the years going by faster as you get older. At 71, they go pretty fast.

Anyway, every December, the Furniture Fixer Upper Team shares our favorite makeovers of the year. I selected the favorite from my makeovers and a favorite from my four teammates. They did the same.

See my top picks after the whitewash tutorial, and click the blog links at the bottom to visit my team members’ favorites from this year.

A lot of stuff going on today, so let’s get started. (bookmark this post if you don’t have time to look at all the makeovers today!)

I found the vintage table at my favorite junk shop for $5. I have a thing for this table style. The six legs with the curved details are fabulous.

Many of you have asked about the  junk shop, and you can find all the information here…Shopping The Junk Shop | KY Flea Market And Auction

Painting And Whitewashing Furniture

Painting furniture is easy as long as it’s prepped properly. The paint color is a matter of choice. Any name-brand paint will do a good job!

The whitewashing technique involves applying a paint wash (diluted paint) to small areas of the project and wiping it back until the desired look is achieved. Easy Peasy. Take a look….

Step 1: Prepping Furniture For Painting

Before you pick up a paintbrush, you must prep the furniture. 

• Repairs: Considering all types of furniture. Check drawers for loose joints; inspect the body for water damage, dings, and scrapes; and inspect drawer pulls and handles for splits or missing screws.
• Make the necessary repairs before cleaning the furniture.
• Cleaning: Use a shop vacuum to remove dust bunnies, dirt dauber nests, and small items left behind in drawers. Wipe down all surfaces with a good household cleaner, like Simple Green.
• Project Table Condition: The table had firm, steady legs with no wobbles.
• Surface Repair: The tabletop had a lot of damage. I used a cordless battery-powered sander to smooth the rough, damaged areas on the tabletop. Cleaning with Simple Green is the last step before painting.

The Makeover Plan

I wanted to give the table a light, fresh look because the dark-stained finish felt heavy and dull. The easiest option would have been to simply paint it a light color.

But whitewashing adds so much more character and depth, turning the table into a true statement piece instead of just another painted surface. So a neutral color paint and whitewashing is the plan.

Step 2: Applying the Base Coat (Initial Color)

Initially, I chose a light taupe Sherwin-Williams paint color. This paint was given to me by my sister-in-law. She had several sample containers of paint mixed when trying to decide on the color for her family room.

I was the recipient of the unwanted paint colors, which worked out great for me. They were all neutral colors, which are best for painting furniture to sell.

• The Paintbrush: Always use a high-quality paintbrush with synthetic bristles. I like a 2-inch paintbrush for large pieces and craft brushes as small as 1/2 inch for detailed areas. 
• Application Method: It’s easiest to paint the curvy areas on tables and chairs by turning the table upside down first to cover all the hidden places. Then set the table or chair upright and apply the paint to cover the piece completely.

• First Coat Result: After one coat of paint, I decided the color was way too light.

Step 3: Applying the Second Coat of Paint (Miss Lillian’s No-Wax Chock Paint)

I looked through my paint shelves for a deeper, darker paint color for the second coat.

• Second Paint Color:  I chose Graystone in Miss Lillian’s No-Wax Chock Paint.
• Why Choose No-Wax Chock Paint? This is a creamy, water-based, self-leveling chalk-style paint with a built-in sealant, meaning no priming, waxing, or sealing is required. I love a good all-in-one paint.

• Application: I painted a layer of the Graystone over the light Sherwin-Williams base coat. Since the two colors were similar, the first coat served as a base or primer, so only one coat of the darker Graystone paint was needed.

Step 4: Whitewashing Paint Technique

The extra something the table needs? A soft whitewash to bring the whole finish to life.

How To Make The Whitewash Solution

• Select A White Paint Color: I had an off-whiteDixie Belle paint called Drop Cloth in my stash, so I chose it for the whitewash.
• Mix The Wash: I combined 3 parts water with 1 part paint to thin the paint for the wash. If the mixture is too thick, it will be hard to rub on and wipe off, leaving too much paint.
• If the wash is too thin, it will be almost impossible to adhere to your project. The thickness of paint varies between brands, so you might need more or less water for the wash.
• Sample Test: If this is your first attempt at whitewashing, paint a sample board with your project color, let it dry, and test your whitewash mixture to ensure the correct mix of paint and water.

Apply Whitewash In Stages

Tabletop Whitewash:

• Dampen a lint-free cloth with the whitewash mixture.
• Spread a light coating of the wash over the tabletop.
• You will need a damp rag to wipe the wash back until the desired look is achieved.

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Detail Whitewash (Legs and Apron):

• Use a small paintbrush to brush the whitewash into the grooves of the legs and the apron of the table.

• After brushing it on, wipe and smudge it a bit with a damp, lint-free rag.

Table Edge Detail:

• Brush the whitewash onto the top edge of the table, being sure to get into all the indentations.
• Wipe back the excess whitewash with the damp rag
• If you take off too much whitewash, then immediately repeat the process.

Finished Result

The whitewash settles into the grooves and imperfections of the table, creating a perfectly imperfect and refreshed furniture finish.

The furniture stores are full of furniture that looks similar, but mine is better! What do you think?

Leave a note if you have the time before viewing my teammates’ projects!

Next, you will find my favorite furniture makeovers from 2025 by Christy, Denise, Natalie, and Gail…

The dresser makeover by Christy had my name written all over it. Can you figure out why I would love this furniture flip? Find the answer here…..Dresser Makeover With Stained Top.

The new finish for the nightstands is called “charred hickory,” and you have to see it. The soft, warm brown stain Denise chose is very calming …How to Refinish Wood Furniture.

I’ve run across a few church pews for sale, but they are either too long or too pricey. This one is the perfect size. Gail purchased it for her daughter many years ago, but it was damaged in a flood. See how it looks now…..Church Pew Makeover.

I’m loving stained wood this month because this is another beauty where the stain is the star! Natalie took this piece that I thought looked good as it was, but she took it to the extreme and worked a miracle…..How To Restain A Dresser Without Stripping

Now it’s time to see which projects my teammates picked as their favorites. Just click the links below the “top furniture” graphic…..