How to whitewash painted furniture?

A favourite among homeowners and designers for its textural, casual look, whitewashing has been a popular form of treating wood for decades. In this easy step-by-step tutorial, I will tell you how to whitewash painted furniture to give it that classic vintage look. It might look complicated because the results are amazing and the process is very simple!

• White paint

• Paint stirrer

• Bucket

• Paintbrush

• Wood furnishing or surface

• Sandpaper

• Rag

• Dropcloth

• First, sand the furniture you are planning to whitewash. You want to ensure the paint will adhere to the wood (which is harder when it is watered down), so get previous paint or sealant off with sandpaper. After that, wipe the furniture down with a rag.

• Mix your white paint with water. You can opt for a 1:1 ratio for an opaque look. If you want it to be a bit streakier, then mix more water.

• After that, you can start applying the whitewash. You can apply it with a brush for grain, a rag for a smoother look, or pour it on for an all-over glaze. You can even use a paintbrush if you don't mind the look of brushstrokes.

• You may have to use a second coat depending on how opaque you want the whitewash.

• Allow the whitewash to dry. It will take less time to dry than it’d take with normal paint since whitewash is thinner. However, you should leave it for at least a couple of hours before touching. Allow it to sit overnight before using.

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I hope now you have a complete understanding of how to whitewash painted furniture.