How to Easily Paint Furniture to Look Old-Fashioned

Clean furniture to remove any dust, dirt or debris. Warm water and a rag will remove most grime without leaving a residue. Roughen flat surfaces with fine-grade sandpaper to encourage paint adhesion.

Paint a base coat over the entire piece. Paint drawer sides, behind table legs and other inconspicuous spots. Let paint dry overnight or according to the manufacturer's directions.

Lightly sand the entire piece after the paint dries. Sanding promotes good paint adhesion and also provides a means to artificially create worn spots. Depending on the desired look, edges, handles and other high-traffic areas should be sanded down to remove all the paint and expose the natural wood.

Paint the piece again using colored glaze. Allow the glaze to set for a short period of time, according to the manufacturer's directions.

Use pieces of steel wool to wipe down the piece. The goal is to wipe off much of the previously applied glaze, depending on the desired effect. After wiping, allow the piece to dry completely before giving it a final light sanding.