How to Create Distressed Furniture

If the furniture has a large amount of paint damage, you might want to remove the old finish entirely and start over. Apply a chemical paint remover with a brush or by spraying on and allow to sit according to package directions.

Wash off paint remover and loose paint with water.

Sand loose paint with 80-grit sandpaper until all paint is removed and you are down to bare wood

Wash the furniture with a cloth dipped in a mixture of one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and one gallon of water. Dry overnight.

Fill a cloth bag with steel nuts and bolts of various sizes.

Strike the piece of furniture with the bag a number of times at random points to create dents.

Strike the piece with a hammer to create a few larger nicks in the wood.

File down a few areas to create roughness on edges and on the feet of the piece

According to PaintSplashes, you can also create "wormholes" to make the furniture look old by drilling small holes into the surface with a 1/8 inch drill bit. Space the holes far apart and randomly to make them look natural.

Strike the wood with a piece of chain, making wear dents on the surface.

Apply paint to the furniture. Allow to dry thoroughly.

Apply additional coats of paint to cover completely. According to RightPriceFurniture, you can paint different color layers on the furniture, and then distress it to allow covered coats to show slightly to create an antiqued appearance.

Lightly sandpaper areas of the furniture on the arms, seat and on edges where normal wear would be found.

Apply a clear polyurethane coat to protect the surface.