Hello, creative friends! I have an easy-to-follow step-by-step Black Wash Wood Paint Finish to share with you today! A quick way to transform your old, worn-out wood furniture into an updated piece. This will give you a ‘stained’ look without having to use stains!
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Here’s what I started with. This little side table is a piece from my own home. I was eager to get started so I unscrewed the top and then remembered to take a before pic with my phone. Not the best pic but you get the idea. I’ve had this table for over 15 years and still love the shape and style, but I wanted a more rustic look without the cherry finish.
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WHAT IS A BLACK WASH?
“Black washing” wood is an easy paint technique used to darken the appearance of wood while still allowing the natural grain to show through. This process involves painting a black or dark color water-based paint onto the wood and then wiping off the excess paint while it’s still wet. This allows the paint color to settle into the wood grain. The result is a darker finish that enhances the wood’s texture and patterns. The amount of darkness can be adjusted based on personal preference by controlling the amount of water-to-paint ratio applied and the amount of wiping off the excess.
WHEN TO USE A BLACK WASH?
A black wash paint technique can be used to create an antiqued, distressed, contrasted and/or modern and industrial finish. It’s easy to customize your DIY projects to personalize the style you’re after. I always recommend a test patch. Try it on a small, inconspicuous area or a sample piece and this can really help you decide if the wash is the look you want before applying it to the entire project.
WHAT PAINT TO USE?
For a beautiful black wash finish, water-based paints, such as latex, acrylic chalk, or mineral paint are the best choice. Water-based products are easy to work with, have no odor, dry quickly, and can easily be diluted with water.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
- Wood Sidetable
- Gloves and Mask
- Shop Towels or Rags
- Sander (25% OFF as of Writing this Post!)
- Stripper
- Water + Container
- Black Water Based Paint
- Paint Brush
- Topcoat / Wax or Poly
HOW TO BLACK WASH WOOD FURNITURE – 6 EASY STEPS
STEP 1 – SAND & STRIP
I started by removing the top and then stripping and sanding the entire piece. In the pic below, you can see I wasn’t too worried about getting off ALL the original finish because I wanted my washed piece to look a little more rustic. However, if you want a more uniform look, removing all of the original finish is recommended. After it was stripped and sanded, I cleaned and wiped away the dust.
STEP 2 – MIXING A BLACK WASH
To mix my black wash I used General Finishes Lamp Black mixed with water. Some other amazing paint colors for a beautiful black wash are this Caviar Black and this Coffee Bean if you prefer a black with warm brown undertones.
I eyeballed the proportions, but I’m guessing I used around a 3:1 ratio – 3 parts paint to 1 part water. This ratio is adjustable. The more water you add, the lighter the stained effect will be. The less water you add, the darker the stained effect will be.
STEP 3 – APPLYING A BLACK WASH
Applying the wash is the same as whitewashing furniture. Using an appropriate-sized paintbrush for your project, brush it on as if you were painting a piece and then wipe it off. Work in small areas so the paint wash does not dry before you wipe it off. I have more details on wiping off below.
STEP 4 – WIPE OFF
Once you’ve brushed on the wash, wipe it off with a shop towel or old rag. This is a messy process so it’s a good idea to wear gloves, otherwise, your hands will turn pitch black! Work in small areas so the wash doesn’t have a chance to dry.
If your first coat isn’t dark enough, add another. Below, you can see the first coat is applied and wiped away on the tabletop. This table took 3 coats before I was happy with the finish.
STEP 5 – SAND AND DISTRESS (OPTIONAL)
I wanted a more rustic look for this side table so I sanded the edges and the top to add some lighter and darker areas. This step is optional depending on the look you want. If it’s a more modern finish, no sanding or distressing is required.
STEP 6 – TOPCOAT & PROTECT
The final step is to protect your work with a top coat of your choice. I used a Clear Wax to give it a lovely satin finish, but a poly, tung oil, hemp oil, or whatever topcoat you like will work nicely.
FINISHED LOOK
Here’s the finished look. What do you think?
The wash turned this table into a nice espresso and the sanding created tonal variance which adds a lot of interest.
It’s similar to the Brown Acacia Restoration Hardware finish but has a modern farmhouse feel because of its irregularities.
I’m really happy all the cherry finish is gone!
Here’s another look at the before and after. I hope this has inspired you to give it a try. By applying a simple black paint wash, you can give your wood furniture a rich dark tone – while still showing off some beautiful grain!
What are you up to this week? I’m going to be busy cleaning and restyling this thrift table for this coming Thursday’s Furniture Fixer Uppers. I hope to see you then!
LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS SIDETABLE BLACK WASH MAKEOVER OR FEEL FREE TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE… I ALWAYS LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. IT MAKES MY DAY! 🙂
Happy painting my friends!
Denise x
RELATED POSTS::
BLACK WASH NIGHTSTAND SET
10 WAYS TO CREATE DISTRESSED FINISH
HOW TO WHITEWASH WOOD WITH PAINT
PAINT WASH WOOD PLANT STAND
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I have been following you for a year now and just LOVE your work. You are an inspiration. Now I would like to try this black wash but on a rustic pine sofa table. I’ll try on an inconspicuous place but do you think pine would get a similar effect? Thank you. Your work is wonderful.
Yes! I’ve done this on pine and it works well. Depending on the finish, it may be helpful to give it a really quick scuff sanding first. I hope it turns out wonderful and thanks for all your support over the last year Jo Ann! 🙂
I have a very common orangish oak kitchen table and chairs and want to refinish the chairs in black and table in a “raw” wood look. Will this technique cover the orange wood grain of the chairs?
Hi Sharon! Yes it should! I would do a test patch on an inconspicuous area on the back just to be sure its the finish/look you’re after. 🙂
Do you have to use that brand stain? What other one could I use?
Any brand of black waterbased paint mixed with water will work as a black wash ‘stain’. 🙂
I didn’t have a clue of what to do until I saw your black wash technique! I have a 3 tables that got gouged and scratched from our move and they are a light pecan finished pine tables. Going to do this wash on all to change the look!
So happy it’s sparked an idea. Have fun Kayla!
Would this work on on top of a dining room table ? What color of chalk paint would you recommend firbthe legs that would match the blackwash?
You always do beautiful work. I have learned so much as I follow along with your projects. Thanks for all the information AND transformations!!!
Thanks for this Dianne! You made my day!🤗
I am new to the refinishing game and have started small by making table risers. I make and paint/stain them. Love this black wash procedure. Could I use chalk paint this way?
You sure can!
I love how this piece turned out! What grit of sandpaper did you use? I am VERY new to refinishing and I get confused on what to sand and what not to sand. Also, what are the best tools to use yo sand? TIA!
Thanks Dorothy! The lower the number on sandpaper, the rougher and more aggressive the grit. So an 80 grit will be much more aggressive than a 220 grit. Depending on the wood and finish you are sanding will dictate what sandpaper you should use. If you want to totally remove a finish – a 60 or 80 grit will work. If you’d like to scuff sand a finish to prep it for paint, a 120 grit works nicely. Hand sanding is always an option but having a palm sander or an orbital sander is helpful and saves time if you do a lot of sanding. Hope this helps. 🙂
The table looks beautiful! Would this work on a wood table with a veneer top?
HI Bridget. Yes, this will. Because veneer is so thin, it’s important not to sand through it, but yes, it will take a black wash nicely.
Denise I love the table! Can I get the same effect using a different color? I have a table I want to do in dark blue. Also, which finishing wax do you recommend? I’ve never used wax, just polyurethane which I don’t really like so I want to try the wax finish. Thanks
Hi Dawn! Yes, this will work with ANY color. And any furniture wax will work nicely. I’ve used Home Depot buys like Minwax, Trewax and Varathane. They work really well but are a little harder. I’ve also used Annie Sloan, Dixie Belle, Fusion etc. These waxes are more creamy and easier to apply. However all these brands give excellent results. Hope this helps.
Beautiful! Wonder how it would go in reverse? I have extremely dark stained kitchen cabinets. I don’t want to white wash them. I do want them lighter with a wood appearance. Any suggestions? I like the color of this table. Wonder if a light brown stain looking paint would work?
Hi Dani! Testing on an inconspicuous area would be your best bet. In my experience, the best results (and easiest) are going from lighter to darker.
Hi Denise, I love how this piece turned out! I am going to try it soon. It is in line behind other projects. You are my go to gal on any painting and now upholstering! I’ve told my sister about you and said follow her, she knows it all! Thank you for sharing your knowledge 😊
awww, thanks Pam! And have fun with ALL your projects!
Thank you, it turned out beautifully!
Do you think this would have a similar look on on oak roll top desk?
Thanks!
Thanks Rhonda and yes! You could try the wash in an inconspicuous area before tackling the entire desk but I think it would look beautiful. 🙂
Yes, thinking the same thing. I have a couple of oak bookcases I would love to try this technique on.
I love this transformation! Now, I just need to find something to try it on.
So u used a wax over latex paint?
Hi Iris! I used General Finishes Lamp Black which is an acrylic paint. Both latex and acrylic are water-based paints and yes, you can use wax over both of them.
Absolutely love this!! I have an old dresser and desk/vanity that I’ve been struggling with ideas for…. Thank you for the inspiration!!
Quick question though, can you use any water based paint, or does it need to be the milk paint??
Thanks Jenny! And any water based paint you can thin with water and turn into a wash will work.
This is just what I have been looking for.. I have a table very similar to the one you did and I can’t wait to get started..
I also love the round wicker basket you have sitting on the table. May I ask where you bought it?
I have a chest to next and will be referencing your site before I make any decisions on what to do with it.
Thanks Denise
Hi Donna! So glad it’s sparked some ideas and you’re finding this helpful. The wicker tray is from Walmart but I’ve also seen similar ones at Hobby Lobby and on Amazon like this one here.
I love this finish as well. I finally know how i want to refinish my kitchen table. Thanks!
I love this finish! I have been looking for a finish that really appealed to me and this is it! Recently retired and going to do furniture refinishing to pass the time.
Thanks Sherri! Have fun! x