How to Paint White Furniture to Look Like Real Wood

Do you love the white furniture like us? Well, who doesn’t, its looks clean, fresh, and timeless. But the problem is that sometimes it will lack that natural wood character and warmth to it. Now, there is no need to replace that furniture with a new one, you can paint over it to get that real wood look. Today, we will teach you how to paint white furniture to look like real wood.

Why Paint White Furniture to Look Like Wood?

There is no need to run off to the shop to buy painting supplies; it’s best to first know why to paint instead of buying the new furniture. Some of the reasons that might convince you include:

1. It’s a cost saving method because a can of paint is much cheaper compared to buying new furniture.
2. You will be able to contribute to eco-friendliness by reusing or repainting the older furniture.
3. You will get a lot of design flexibility as you will be able to mimic the wood tone to light oak, rustic driftwood, or deep mahogany.
4. Painting the furniture will let you add a wood-grain texture to the furniture that gives it a handcrafted feel.

So, if you happen to have the old white furniture that needs replacement but don’t have the budget for it, opt for painting it.

Tools and Materials You’ll Need

If you wish to make the white furniture look like it’s made of real wood, you are going to need some supplies. This includes:

A sandpaper in the grit range of 120 to 220
A microfiber cloth or a tack cloth
Wood-toned base paint in caramel, tan, & beige
Dark wood-grain paint
Get or glaze stain for a richer tone
Foam brushes & paint brushes
Wood-graining tool, like a rubber tool with a curved edge, to create those grain patterns
A painter’s tape and lots of drop cloths
A furniture sealant

Step-by-Step Guide to Paint White Furniture To Look Like Real Wood

Here is our step-by-step guide on how to paint white furniture to look like real wood.

Step 1: Prep Your Furniture

You need to make the right preparations to start any paint job. Firstly, clean your furniture thoroughly with a mild soap and water to remove any dust or grime settled on it. Now take the medium-grit sandpaper to sand the wood surface. This will remove the gloss of the white finish and let the paint have a surface to grip onto. Simply wipe down the furniture with a tack cloth to remove that sanding residue. This step will ensure that the faux-wood finish attaches properly to the wood and lasts for years.

Step 2: Apply the Base Coat

You need to apply the base coat to the furniture which will act as a background for the wood grain. You must choose the natural colors like tan, beige, or honey. Use the brush or a foam roller to create a smooth coverage. Let the coating dry, which is usually for 4 to 6 hours. Now apply that second coat to achieve a complete opacity. This light base will be visible even after you give the dark grain effect.

Step 3: Add the Wood-Grain Layer

The real magic happens at this step when you turn the flat paint into a faux wood look. Mix the darker wood colored paint with a glaze. This will slow down the drying time, making it easier to manipulate the paint. Take this mixture and apply it evenly in thin sections with a paintbrush. When the paint is still wet, drag your wood-graining tool across the surface of the furniture. Rock it back and forth gently to create the look of knots and grain lines. It will be best if you work in small areas to prevent the drying before the grain is created.

Step 4: Layer and Blend for Depth

You must know that real wood has depth to it and not a flat two-tone look. You can achieve this after the first grain layer dries by adding lighter streaks of golden or caramel paint with a thin brush. You must do this to highlight certain areas. For a darker finish, you can do a second pass of walnut glaze to make the look deeper. If there are harsh lines, you can use the dry brush or a tack cloth to get a more natural effect. This will allow you to achieve a surface of wood-like fibers that reflect light and colors.

Step 5: Seal the Finish

Once that wood-look paint has completely dried up, it’s time to protect all that hard work with a clear topcoat. You can do this by adding a sealing finish. If you prefer to have a natural matte wood look, we recommend using the satin polyurethane sealant. For that shiny, glossy wood effect, we recommend applying a high-gloss polyurethane finish. It’s best to apply two coats and sand lightly between each coat for a durable, smooth finish. Adding this layer of sealant will prevent the faux-wood finish from scratches, spills, and everyday wear & tear.

Tips for a More Realistic Wood Effect

Here are some additional tips that allow your furniture to have a more realistic wood effect.

• Its best to use long stroke instead of shorter ones which look artificial. This is because a wood grain runs for a full length of the wood surface.
• Apply pressure because when you use the graining tool and press harder, it creates deeper grooves.
• You must always flow a natural flow of how the wood planks run on the furniture while painting.

It’s best to not overdo the knots because a few simple knots look way more realistic, otherwise, the entire thing appears cartoonish.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some mistakes that you must avoid during the painting of the white furniture.

• Never skip the step of sanding the furniture, as paint doesn’t stick well on a glossy white finish.
• Avoid using too much glaze, or it will start to look muddy instead of woody.
• You must never brush between alternating coats; let the first coat dry before applying another.

Final Thoughts

Painting the white furniture to make it look like real wood is indeed a rewarding project for a DIY lover. This lets you combine your creativity with practicality. The right base color, a proper wood graining technique, and stylish finishing touches, all this can turn that ordinary piece of furniture into one that looks as if made of real wood. This will help you save money and give you the freedom to customize the furniture to match your home’s style.