Shabby Chic Furniture: Use Paint to Create that Shabby Chic Look

If you'd like to create a distressed Shabby Chic look with a furniture piece you already have, the process isn't difficult. This page will explain the process of distressing a piece of furniture such as a table, desk, cabinet, or shelf to achieve the Shabby Chic look. Let's get started!

Begin by sanding your table, shelf, or cabinet. It's best to start with an unfinished piece. If your piece is already painted or finished, you may need to strip off the finish. Otherwise, consult your local home improvement store for the best way to prepare your piece for painting.

After your furniture piece has been sanded or otherwise properly prepped for painting, you will want to start with a good primer. Apply the primer with a roller or brush or use a spray primer. Let the primer dry completely before continuing to the next step.

Next, paint your Shabby Chic shelf or cabinet with a light or dark wood color. Spray paint is best for this. This is not the final color of the piece. This is the color that will show through on the distressed parts of the piece.

After this color has dried, spray paint the piece with white, antique white, or a pale blue, green, or pink. When this layer is dry, smooth it with steel wool then brush on acrylic craft paint of the same color as shown in the video below.

Once the final coat is dry, distress the piece by lightly sanding the edges and corners of your desk or table to simulate years of use. The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser also works well for removing areas of paint to simulate wear. Continue distressing the piece until you achieve the look you want.

Dust the piece with a tack cloth and let it dry overnight. Finish your Shabby Chic Furniture piece with a protective layer of shellac.