The Scoop On Painted And Distressed Furniture

People still love painted and distressed furniture. I’ve been painting furniture for over 15 years, and I thought the painted furniture craze would be over by now. I’m actually happy it isn’t.

Distressing paint is one of my favorite techniques because it makes painted furniture even better. Well thought out distressing adds character and depth. 

Why Is Painted And Distressed Furniture Popular?

• It looks cool. Distressed paint adds character and a sense of history, making the piece unique. It’s perfect if you like a lived-in feel instead of a super-perfect showroom look. A couple of my best friends want their furniture to be pristine—they like painted furniture but say no to distressing. 

• It’s super versatile. You can paint furniture any color you want to match your style, whether that’s shabby chic or modern farmhouse. Go bold or very basic and neutral; the choice is yours.
• It’s practical, too. Painting and distressing are great ways to give old or outdated furniture new life, which is good for the environment. Plus, the distressed finish hides scratches and dings, making it perfect for busy homes, especially kids’ rooms. That is one of the reasons I love distressing paint. It will eventually get that way through wear and tear, so why not help it along? 

• • • It feels good: The aged look brings a warm, cozy feel to your space, and it lets you put your own personal touch on your furniture, which is always satisfying.

Simply put….painted and distressed furniture adds a unique and personalized touch to your home.

How To Distress Paint

There are many ways to distress paint, and I’ve even invented some new ones through trial and error.

• • Basic sanding: Grab some fine-grit sandpaper and lightly sand away at the paint on the edges, corners, and raised details. This lets the wood or base coat peek through. You want to focus on spots that would naturally get worn over time.
  • Wet distressing: While the paint is still a bit wet, rub it with a damp cloth or sponge, wet wipes, baby wipes, or disinfecting wipes to remove some of the paint in strategic areas. The main thing is to get the dried paint damp enough that it will rub off. This gives the piece a softer, more subtle aged finish with no raw wood look from sandpaper.

• Heavy sanding. If you want a bolder look, use coarse sandpaper like a 60 or 80 grit or even an electric sander to remove bigger chunks of paint. I like using a battery-powered sander because it does the job faster.
• Chain distressing. Wrap a chain around the furniture and gently whack it against the surface to create random dents and scratches. It sounds crazy, but it works.
• Hammering. Use a hammer to make controlled dents and dings.
• Other objects. Get creative! Use keys, screwdrivers, or even rocks to make unique textures.
• Vaseline ( Petroleum Jelly). Petroleum jelly is a paint resist, and when applied lightly over a layer of paint, the second paint color brushed over the petroleum jelly will wipe off, creating a distressed look with two paint colors.

• Faux Distressing. You can faux distress fake wood or mdf furniture using a layering block. Apply a contrasting paint (usually a dark color) to the block and rub it over the edges of the furniture to achieve a distressed look. 
• Vinegar. Mix vinegar and water and rub it over the paint. The ratio of vinegar to water will determine how much paint you can remove. I have never tried this technique. The odor is too strong for me. 
• Dry Brushing. This technique involves brushing paint over already-painted surfaces, and it takes a little work to master. The secret is dipping your brush into your paint of choice and wiping almost all of the paint from the brush before running it across your surface.

• Milk Paint. This technique involves the type of paint used. Milk paint can be “naturally” distressed as the paint chips when it is dry, either on its own or with the help of a paint scraper. Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint is a favorite of mine.
• Wax Resist. Before painting, apply wax to areas you don’t want to distress. The wax repels or acts as a resist to the paint, making it easy to remove later.

Tips For The Best Distressing Results

• Start gently with any distressing techniques mentioned above and gradually apply more pressure if needed.
• Play around with different techniques until you find one you like.
• Practice on a scrap piece of painted wood first.
• Think about the furniture’s style and the overall look you’re going for.

Remember, distressing is all about adding character and making it look like it’s been around for a while. Have fun with it, and don’t stress too much!

Which Furniture Looks Best Painted And Distressed?

• Old stuff. Anything vintage or antique is begging for a makeover. Dressers, sideboards, and nightstands all have cool details that pop when distressed.
• Wood is good. It loves to be painted and distressed. When peeking through and beautifully waxed, the original wood finish adds a ton of texture.
• Kitchen islands and hutches. These large pieces can handle some color and distressing, giving your kitchen a cozy farmhouse feel.
• Coffee tables and end tables. Are perfect for experimenting with bolder colors and techniques, making them the life of the party. If you paint and distress a piece and the new look isn’t to your liking, just start over. It’s only paint.
• Chairs. Paint and distress dining chairs, accent chairs, and even that old rocking chair to add personality and tie a room together. Chairs can be a bear to brush paint so grab a can of spray paint. Spray paint works great on small, detailed furniture pieces.
• Benches. A distressed bench in your entryway or at the foot of your bed is stylish and practical.
• Bookcases and shelves. These open pieces show off your stuff; the paint and distressing create a fantastic backdrop.
• Headboards. A painted and distressed headboard adds a boho touch to your bedroom.

Paint And Distress Home Decor Accessories 

• Picture frames. Distressing gives frames a vintage vibe, making your art pop even more. The more detailed a frame, the prettier.
• Mirrors. A painted and distressed mirror can be a statement piece in your bathroom or bedroom.
• Lamps. You can paint brass, wood, or rattan lamps with spray paint, creating a new look in minutes. Distress these smaller pieces by hand with 120 grit sandpaper.
• Candleholders. Make your candleholders special by changing the colors with the seasons.

Anything with good bones and interesting details looks great with that unique painted and distressed finish. It’s about your style and the look you’re going for. Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun! Just remember, distressing is about making it look old (in a good way) and worn and accentuating the flaws. Let your creativity run wild!

I would love to hear from you if you have questions or comments. Thanks for being here, Kathy