How to Whitewash Wood in 3 Easy Steps

Whitewashed wood is one aspect of the farmhouse look virtually anyone can achieve at home. In contrast to a regular paint job, whitewashing brightens the look of wood surfaces while allowing their natural grain to show through. Today I’ll show you how to whitewash wood in 3 easy steps!

Traditionally, white wash is a mixture of water, hydrated lime and crushed rock salt used to paint the exterior surface of barns. The mineral-based protective coating was popular for its anti-bacterial properties, its ability to protectively coat rough, uneven surfaces and, of course, its rustic charm. Faux whitewashing, which replicates this look, involves painting wood with watered-down, white paint. Diluting the paint makes it semi-transparent and allows the wood grain to show through for a rustic look.

I was recently looking for something decorative to put on the bottom shelf of my coffee table, and bought these two trays at Hobby Lobby. I preferred the look of the white one but the size of the brown one. So I decided to whitewash the brown tray to give it a rustic, farmhouse style, and a brighter color that would show up better on my dark coffee table.

Here’s how it looks after I transformed it with whitewashing! A little bit of diluted paint makes a big difference!

Supplies for whitewashing

This post contains affiliate links. As a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases linked from my site.

Flat White Paint | Decoart Americana Outdoor Living Picket Fence White paint
Rag
Container for Mixing
Paint Stirrer
Gloves
Sandpaper

STEP 1: Mixing paint for whitewashing

I used Decoart Americana Outdoor Living Picket Fence White paint, which is water based, non-toxic, and works well for indoor or outdoor projects. Start by mixing equal amounts of paint and water in a container. It’ll have the watery consistency of a stain rather than paint. The precise ratio of paint to water depends on the look you want to achieve. Half and half will give you a semi-transparent finish. For more opaque coverage, mix two parts paint to one part water.

Step 2: Prep & test the surface

Make sure the wood you’re planning to whitewash is clean and dry. Use fine grit sandpaper to lightly scuff the surface of the wood. This will remove any sealants or oils that might be on the surface and will help the paint adhere to the wood. Then test your paint mixture on a small inconspicuous spot or scrap piece of wood. Add more paint and/or water if necessary so you can be sure you like the way it looks before you whitewash the entire surface.

Step 3: Apply the whitewash

I recommend combining two application methods, using a paintbrush and a rag, for authentic looking whitewash. Start by dipping the paint brush in the watered-down paint mixture and lightly brush it over the wood in the direction of the grain. This is a good way to duplicate the streaky effect of traditional whitewash, but it’s challenging to get an even finish.

To soften the brush strokes, apply the second coat of whitewash with a rag after the first application via paintbrush has dried. You’ll want to wear gloves because it will get messy! Dip the rag into the diluted paint, and squeeze off the excess. Then apply it to the wood with light, even strokes in the same direction you used with the paint brush. Let it dry and repeat more layers until you’ve achieved your desired opacity. I did two coats which still allowed the brush strokes to show through. When your project is completely dry, you can optionally use the sandpaper to scuff edges for a more weathered appearance.