How to Give Furniture a Realistic Antique Painted Finish

Wash the furniture using furniture soap and a sponge. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to dilute the detergent. Wipe off the surface with a clean rag. Allow the pieces to dry completely.

Protect your floor with a drop cloth. Use sandpaper to roughen the surface of smooth furniture. Wipe off any dust with a clean rag. Apply paint with a wide brush, following the direction of the grain of wood. Follow with a second coat of paint.

Distress surfaces using sandpaper and steel wool. Focus on areas that would be subject to natural wear, such as edges, front panels and tops. Use sandpaper in spots to completely wear away painted surfaces. Opt for steel wool where you just want to dull the sheen of the paint.

Mix glazing medium with raw umber tint. Continue to add tint, a little at a time, until the desired color is achieved. Brush the glaze onto the furniture. Blend brush strokes and remove excess glaze with a bunch of soft rags. Wipe away most of the glaze, while allowing some to remain in the edges and crevices, for a more subtle patina.