How to Whitewash & Distress Furniture: DIY Farmhouse Coffee Table

I woke up around 4:45 this morning because I was super excited to finish my blog post and video for this coffee table I just refurbished. Decorating and fixing up furniture is one of my favorite things to do, and I’ve decided to start sharing more of that on the blog.

Today, I’m sharing my whole process for whitewashing and distressing the coffee table I found on the Facebook marketplace. I’ve been on the lookout for a whitewashed coffee table to match some of the other furniture in my living room for the past month. The ones I loved were outrageously priced, and when I came across an older coffee table on the Facebook marketplace, I knew it had so much potential. Now, I need to find a fluffy white rug for the living room, and I’ll be set for a cozier Fall.

There were many supplies left over, so I’ll be able to use them for the next furniture project I tackle. I filmed the entire process on my YouTube channel so make sure to check that out for all the details!

Clean the sand shavings off the table, and sweep the area around you. Then, I flipped the table back over and covered all the spots I missed with the chalk paint. Do not add too much stain because you’ll be finishing it off with white paint, but you also want the wood patterns to show. Add distressing marks to the legs of the table with your stain cloths.

Mix a little water and chalk paint together and add thin brushstrokes to the top of the stain. You’ll continue to add the white paint until you get the tint of whitewash you’re going for.

Don’t rub too hard because it could potentially bring the stain back up. I didn’t want the chippy look, so I gently added the wax to the coffee table.

Wipe down your table one last time, and put it in your living room!