How to Distress a Wood Desk

Distressing a desk involves using tools that batter and bruise the furniture without damaging the integrity of the wood. Using the distressed look, or shabby chic, gives new or old furniture a refreshing decorating style. A painted or unpainted wood desk has the ability to look distressed using the same techniques. Make new furniture old, or give old furniture a new lease by using the distressed look.

Coarse sandpaper
Cloth
Small mallet
Nail

Instructions

- 1
  Run a coarse piece of sandpaper over the top of the desk. Use light pressure and make random swipes across the desk top with the sandpaper. Wipe the dust from the desk with a clean cloth and inspect the progress. Continue swiping the desk top until you have the desired effect.
- 2
  Move down to the desk legs, drawers, hardware and sides of the desk making haphazard marks with the sandpaper. Clean off the residue with the cloth and continue distressing until you're satisfied with the markings.
- 3
  Hammer dents into the desk using a small mallet. Use medium pressure to form small indentations. Place two to three dents on the desk top, three to four on the legs and one or two on the drawers.
- 4
  Scrape the tip of a nail in random areas of the desk. Dig the nail into the wood and make short 2-to-3-inch straight and curved lines in the desk. Two to three lines on the top, sides and drawers should add a wear and tear distressed look to the desk.

Southwest Style Decor

Ideas for Bright Decorating

Decor Styles