How to Whitewash a Table

Paint-Water Solution

• 1

  Buy an unvarnished, unfinished wood table. Unfinished wood absorbs paints and stains best.

• 2

  Purchase gloss-free, off-white latex paint. Shades such as cream or ivory will work well.

• 3

  Mix the paint with enough water to achieve the desired effect. You may decide to create a solution of somewhere between 20 percent and 40 percent water to the respective amount of paint. Test water-to-paint proportions by mixing small amounts of solution and painting them onto the unfinished underside of the table.

• 4

  Apply the solution to your table in the direction of the grain.

• 5

  Watch for the paint to dry. This may be overnight or up to 24 hours.

• 6

  Apply the latex varnish product, and let it dry.

Whitewash Wood Stain

• 7

  Purchase wood stain that offers a whitewash effect. The home-improvement or hardware retailer is a good source. You can also find such products online.

• 8

  Brush on the stain. Be sure go with the grain as you paint it on.

• 9

  Brush on two to three layers of the varnish and wait -- possibly 24 hours -- for it to dry.