I love a good furniture makeover. My favourite look is to add a plank top because it feels so vintage and that is definitely my style if you’ve seen any of my tutorials for home decor. This no demo faux plank top is simple to do and doesn’t cost any extra money because you use the existing top piece! I’ve even done this technique on a round wood coffee table, but mostly, I like doing it on painted pieces.
Supplies
- Large nail, screw or pointy nail punch to score the lines
- 150 grit sandpaper
- Pencil
- Straightedge long enough for your project- a piece of wood will work, too.
- Two clamps to hold the straightedge in place
- Your furniture project & paint
Step 1: Mark where the faux planks will be
The pictures below explain how to get even planks on your project no matter what you’re working on. If math isn’t your friend, then try using the string method: cut a string to the length of the area you want to divide in half then fold it in half. And just like that, there is your measurement!
Note: depending on the size of your furniture, you’ll get a smaller width plank on a smaller piece. For the project that I’m showing you, mine worked out to about 4″ wide.
Step 2: Score the lines for the faux plank top
- Clamp the straightedge beside the line so it can’t move on you while scoring.
- Hold the nail against the straight edge, making sure to go slow because there’s less chance the nail will slide away from the line. This has happened to me, and I typically just fill the scratch with wood filler or sand it out and repaint… after I’ve said something not printable.
- Score the line with the nail two or three times in order to get a groove that mimics planks with a slight space between them.
Step 3: Paint
Assuming you have your furniture piece prepped and ready to go, then read on.
- Paint the top. Use your favourite paint or try my favourite DIY chalk paint.
- Run the nail slowly along the groove to remove excess paint when the paint is still wet. If you’re wondering why you’re doing this step when the paint is wet, it’s because it is much easier. Remember to do the same thing on the ends.
- Have a cloth on hand to wipe the nail when needed.
- Once the paint is dry, it’s time to finish the look.
Step 4: Finish the no demo faux plank look
I’ve found that the best way to get that faux plank look is to accentuate the grooves that mimic the space between real boards. When all is said and done, the whole point of the faux plank is to make it look realistic.
- Fold the sandpaper in half as you did in step 2.
- Carefully sand the grooves as you did in step 2.
- Make sure to include the ends!
- I like a slightly worn look, so I also expose some of the original colours on the ends and on the grooves to give it a vintage look. It’s up to you if you want to do this step.
And that my friend, is all there is to it! Easy peasy and doesn’t cost anything to get the look!
Thanks for stopping by,
Lisa
