Different Techniques for Painting a Wooden Coffee Table

Patterns

• The technique you use to paint a coffee table can give it different surface patterns. Glazing allows you to create patterns such as a subtle herringbone design in a darker color than the base of the table. Taping off certain parts of the table creates stripes, blocks, checks, dots or any other desired shape. You also may apply small decals to create a repeating motif of birds or flowers over the entire table.

Rustic Techniques

• Rustic painting techniques can give your wooden table a look ranging from extremely primitive to slightly antiqued with bold, contemporary color. Dry brushing involves running a brush with little paint over the bare wood, then smoothing that paint out as far as possible along the grain, leaving some areas much less painted than others for a rustic look. Sanding down corners and raised areas allows a base layer or the bare wood to show through for a shabby chic look. Glazing or washing creates a milky, translucent layer of color that is darker in some areas than others.

Texture Techniques

• Texture techniques are similar to pattern techniques, but their effects typically are more subtle. Instead of using glaze for a shabby or herringbone finish, striee glazing gives the paint the illusion of grain or very tiny lines. This works well with neutral and saturated colors, adding texture without a rich pattern. Rag rolling produces texture, but instead of grain, it gives subtle creases and splotches, much like a tie-dye texture. It may be applied with two similar colors or contrasting hues.

Faux Finishing

• If you want your wooden coffee table to look like marble or have the appearance of suede, you can achieve it with a faux finish. Faux finishing involves techniques such as rag rolling, stippling and a variety of brush methods to produce the look of another material. Suede, linen, marble, stone, stucco or plaster appearances work well for an ornate coffee table against a simpler room design -- although you may use a technique with subtle color or application for a less dramatic look.