How do I make furniture look stained without using real stain?

You can use a base coat of light paint. The apply a darker paint and use a paint brush to create a wood grain pattern. You can also use hair combs to make fake wood grain.

See if this helps yo u

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/paint-furniture-look-like-its-stained-99655.html

Use thinned-out paint instead, to allow the woodgrain to show through. (This all depends on what kind of finish is already on the surface.)

you can use paint that looks like stain or do a wash.

Hi Sheila, I'm not what kind of look your going for buy have you tried Unicorn SPiT?

A wood grainer is great for this! Like William said use a lighter color first then apply a darker color to the top. You can use a wood grain roller to make it look more like wood. :)

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Warner-2-75-in-Faux-Finish-Paint-Graining-Tool/3120613?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-pnt-_-google-_-lia-_--_-painttools-_-3120613-_-0&store_code=2847&placeholder=null&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvJ_W1Kj55wIVT_DACh3EUwpSEAQYASABEgJe2_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Hello. After based coating your item with the appropriate color paint you may need to use thinned paint wash applications to make a faux finish.

There is a wood grain tool that would be a recommended option. Here’s a link, check out reviews and Q&A to see if it’s something you wish to consider.

https://www.amazon.com/TINTON-LIFE-Empaistic-Painting-Graining/dp/B01N57UI86/ref=sr_1_5?crid=7KFKJB2SPA43&keywords=wood+grain+tool&qid=1582585513&sprefix=Wood+grain%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-5

Here's a post that might help - https://www.artsychicksrule.com/super-easy-way-to-update-wood-stained/

Hello Sheila,

In the UK we could buy a graining kit - one used a tool and the other used a base and a topcoat the base was flat dense colour and the top coat was a thick varnish which was dragged on over the base coat when dry to resemble timber. I have used that duo set many times for Mahogany and Pine and Teak look furniture and doors.

Hope that helps! Do ask at your DIY or Paint Shop for their help................

You can use paint to mimic a stained look. You can do it by hand, painting the grains or you can get something called a rocker which is a quarter round wood thing with a handle and a rubber graining part. Do some research online for faux painting wood and you'll find loads of assistance.

For anyone not familiar with what a Hoosier (or Hoosier cabinet) is, here are a couple of examples:

Is there a reason you don't want to use real stain?

As a Cancer patient, I don't have the energy with all the steps involved.