Create The Perfect Farmhouse Table With A Painted Wood-Grain Effect

Linda
by Linda
9 Materials
$150
3 Hours
Easy

If you have a table that is bare or needs a makeover, try this painted faux wood-grain effect. It's a simple project, but the outcome is breathtaking. Here are the simple steps on how to complete this project.

This is the simple table that I started with. Your's doesn't have to begin with the bare wood. You can paint overtop of an already painted surface.


If you'd like to see how we built this table, hop over to this post.

Step One: Sand down the table. This removes and smooths any imperfections and if you're beginning this project with an already painted surface, it allows you to even out the area you will be painting.

Step Two: Because I was beginning this project with a bare table, I needed to fill in holes where the wood had been nailed together. I did so with some wood putty and spackling.

After allowing the putty to dry completely I spray painted the table white with a paint and primer combo. I did this on each surface of the table, legs, sides and underneath to ensure a finished look.


If you haven't tried using a comfort spray paint grip attachment, I highly recommend it. It makes the job so much easier and your fingers will thank you.

Next, to ensure I had a completely smooth surface to paint the effect onto, I gave the table a quick sanding. This ensures there are no paint globs or drippings that will distract from the finished project.

Now it's time to begin the faux wood grain effect. I choose a gray fusion mineral paint. I watered the paint down (about half paint half water) in order to thin out the paint and ensure you would be able to see the white peek through the completed project.


Start by painting one board or area of the table at a time. You will want the paint to still be wet in order to get the best results out of this technique.

Once you've applied the paint drag your wood graining tool through the area you've just painted. You can rock the tool and pull it to achieve the look you want.

Once you're finished with the wood graining tool you can take a miniture twig broom through the paint to get an even smaller grain look to your finish.


You'll repeat this process until the area you desire to achieve the faux wood grain look is completed. I only did this on the top of my table and top rim leaving the legs and sides white.

I gave my table a coat of furniture wax once it had finished drying because the table is going to be outdoors on my patio.


If you'd like more details on waxing a surface, check out this chalk paint post.

Here's the finished project. I love the farmhouse rustic look of this table!

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Linda
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
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3 of 5 questions
  • Heje Heje on Dec 06, 2019

    This is so clean and fresh looking. I was wondering also about the finish with just the wax. How is the table holding up to the weather?

  • Twiggy Twiggy on Dec 18, 2019

    Can you set hot dishes directly on the table top ? I use 3 coats of polyurethane as a finish usually. Email me @ freedomserenity@yahoo.com

    Thank you!

  • Linda Linda on Nov 19, 2020

    Looks very nice. You did an excellent job. I guess I am a bit confused about the painted on wood grain effect. Since you already started with wood why didn't you just stain it? The faux stain looks nice but I do not see the benefit? I love the beauty of natural wood. I recently made a cafe table and did a gray finish similar to yours but I just stained the raw, sanded wood. The grain is highlighted nicely by the shear light gray stain. I finished with a satin poly. Its very durable. Just wondering, thanks

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  • Beth Davis Beth Davis on Jan 15, 2020

    i think this is really beautiful, i would keep it indoors. How are those rush chair seats going to withstand being outside? is your patio covered? just asking because they seem to rot quickly.

  • TheSeamstress TheSeamstress on Nov 19, 2020

    My inlaws apparently used a tool just like that to give their kitchen cupboards a woodgrain look about 55 years ago. They owned a country store/gas bar on a highway and their kitchen was teeny tiny. Can't believe they lived behind and above that store with 5 kids.

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