Antiquing a Coffee Table

You can give your living room a welcoming, time-worn look without spending big bucks on antique pieces. Purchase an inexpensive coffee table, and give it an aged look to make it look as if it was constructed in another era. With some simple supplies and a bit of time, you can transform a coffee table into an antique centerpiece in your living room. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Sand the surface of the coffee table. Use a hand sander or an orbital sander and a heavy-grit sandpaper to remove some of the paint or finish from the table's surface. Concentrate on the top of the table, but sand around the legs and sides, as well. Sand the table until you are satisfied with the amount of paint or finish that is removed.

2

Bang the surface of the table with a hammer and a metal chain. Gently rap the instruments along the top, sides and legs of the table to create dents in the surface, giving the table a time-worn look.

3

Rub a metal brush over the surface of the table. Move the brush in straight lines, working with the grain of the wood.

4

Rub a fine-grit sandpaper over the dings and scratches in the table to smooth the rough edges.

5

Paint a sealant on the surface of the table. Allow the sealant to dry for 24 hours.