How to Distress and Paint Headboards

Remove the headboard from the bed frame if it is attached. Move the headboard to a ventilated area where you have plenty of room to work.

Clean the headboard with a damp cloth. Remove all dust.

Strip the headboard using a commercial paint stripper, if the headboard is already painted. If the headboard is not painted but stained, remove the old stain with sandpaper.

Paint the headboard in a dark color that contrasts the color you chose for the finished piece. This color will show through when you distress the top layer of paint.

Apply a coat of crackle medium, following the manufacturer instructions. Crackle medium is a clear, paint-like substance that gives a crackled and aged appearance to a painted surface when it dries. Allow the medium to dry.

Paint over the crackle medium with one coat of the lighter paint color. Only apply one coat of paint, and allow it to dry completely.

Use sandpaper to along the edges of the headboard to simulate years of wear. Sand along the edges of any detailing on the headboard as well.

Use a hammer or a chisel to further distress your headboard. Lightly hammer in random areas around the headboard to the create pits and dents common on old furniture pieces. Use a chisel to create small gouges along the edges. Lightly sand over these imperfections to remove the paint and create a more authentic distressed look.

Apply a clear coat to protect your furniture from further wear. Choose a satin polyurethane or a clear coat that is labeled "stay clear."