Antiquing Kitchen Tables

Take the kitchen table out of your living area and put it in a workspace with proper ventilation. Cover the floor of your workspace with plastic or paper sheeting and secure it to the floor with painter's tape to make cleanup easier and to avoid damaging your floors.

Strip the paint or stain from the table using varnish or lacquer remover and clean rags. If you're going for a heavily distressed look, strip the finish only in certain areas. This works best with new tables that lack any blemishes on the finish.

Cover the table with a base coat of stain or paint. Allow the paint or stain to dry overnight, or according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Distress the table with non-uniform items such as nuts and bolts, or nails in a canvas bag or sack. Be careful not to take out large chunks of the wood table, only to create scratches and dings to give the table a well-worn look. Try to put the most wear on areas that would commonly see heavy use over time, to make the table look authentic. For example, try the area where hands rest around place settings and the center of the table where food is placed for presentation.

Make rings on the table with the bottoms of coffee or drinking cups with a slightly darker stain than you're using on the table. Alternatively, place the coffee or drinking cups on the table as the initial coat of paint or varnish dries, to leave a mark. Use these types of distressing tools sparingly, as a little goes a long way.

Finish the table after you're done distressing it with another light coat of stain for a more finished look with less noticeable antiquing. If you prefer a heavily distressed look, simply coat the table with a clear coat of lacquer to seal it for use. Allow the table to fully dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions before using it.