5 Best Paint Techniques From The Furniture Fixer Uppers
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How would you like to distress painted furniture with no mess? I can show you how to do it. The wet distress method not only prevents a big mess but preserves the original stained furniture finish – no raw wood!
The Furniture Fixer Uppers work hard all year to bring you great ideas and inspiration, and today, we are sharing our best stuff. I’m always impressed with the different paint techniques the team uses for furniture, and I want to share my favorites with you today.
My project is a radio cabinet I painted back in March and I want to go more in-depth with you on how I distressed the paint without the mess.
This is how the radio cabinet looked before the paint makeover. Detailed pieces like this look great when the paint is distressed because those details really stand out.
This is how the radio cabinet looked after the paint makeover. See how those details pop!
For my wet distress method, I use wet wipes – any wet wipes I have on hand. I’ve used baby wipes, Chlorox wipes, disinfecting wipes, and paper towels dampened with Simple Green or just water. On this makeover, I used disinfecting wipes from Walmart.
Sometimes, the wet wipes have soaked up too much liquid from the container, and I just squeeze out the excess. To remove the paint with wet wipes, rub over the area you want to distress with the wipe.
The type of paint and how long the paint has been dry will determine how much elbow grease you need to use. If you have difficulty removing the paint after rubbing an area for a few seconds, move on to another area with your wipe.
The paint will loosen up on the first area because you wet it with your wipe, so go back to it after a minute or so, and the paint should wipe off easily.
I distressed the cabinet pulls with the wipes too. If you would like to see the complete makeover, it is here……Vintage Furniture Makeover: Latex Paint and Wet Wipes Distressing
It’s up to you to decide how much distressing is right for your painted piece and for you. Anyone can do this technique. Try it on picture frames and any home decor item you paint!
Now, I want to share my favorite paint techniques and beautiful furniture projects from the rest of the Furniture Fixer Upper Team.
This project is from Christy, Confessions of a Serial DIYer. I love a chest on chest. They have character.
If you want to paint stripes on furniture or even your walls, Christy has a step-by-step tutorial for you. Her stripes always turn out perfectly and look classy.
She uses neutral colors, which give the furniture a designer-worthy look. See the entire project and tutorial here…Chest on Chest Dresser Makeover
The next project is from Denise, Salvaged Inspirations. I cannot begin to tell you how impressed I am with this makeover. Denise used Dixie Belle Dixie Mud in Black and a stencil to make a raised design on the drawer fronts of the two nightstands.
A peek at the stencil, but this isn’t how the project ended. You have to see the paint color she brushed over the whole design. Take a look… How To Create One Color Stencil Designs
The table makeover is from Gail, My Repurposed Life. She painted the table and then covered the top with a decorative transfer.
Sometimes, the transfer doesn’t line up just like it needs to, and then you have to cut and paste in more details. See the complete makeover and detailed tutorial on applying transfers to furniture….Half Moon Table Makeover.
You guys know I’ve painted a lot of cedar chests over the years, and I liked the makeovers, but this cedar chest makeover by Natalie, A Ray Of Sunlight, is fantastic. I have to try this paint technique on a cedar chest when I find the right piece.
Natalie sanded the old yellow finish from the wood and gave the cedar chest a lighter, more modern look. See all the details here…Waterfall Cedar Chest Makeover.
Glass Door Cabinet Makeover/Furniture Fixer Upper Favorites– Confessions of a Serial DIY’er
Natural Rattan Tables – Salvaged Inspirations
Colorful Handpainted Furniture Makeovers – My Repurposed Life
Before and After Buffet Makeover – A Ray Of Sunlight
Wet Distress Furniture – Petticoat Junktion (you are here)
As always, thanks for being here, Kathy
Author: Kathy Owen
Kathy Owen is the founder of the home decor blog Petticoat Junktion where she shares tutorials on painting furniture and upcycling thrifty finds into unique home décor. Her DIY projects have been featured on the Home Depot Blog, Plaid Crafts, Behr Designer Series, and in numerous magazines.
The color you picked is just so lovely! Great work!
I love the repurposed vintage cabinet and seeing all your faves Kathy! I’m so happy and grateful to be part of the FFU crew with you talented ladies. I can’t wait to see all your new makeovers in 2025! Pinned! XOXO
I picked this one too! I loved how it came it out! It is so fun to see what everyone chose. There were so many fantastic makeovers that it was tough to choose. I hope you have a fabulous holiday, my friend! XOXO