How to Achieve the Perfect Faux Wood Look on Furniture

Updated on March 9, 2026

Are you tired of your furniture’s outdated wood finish, or perhaps you’re looking to breathe new life into a piece that can’t be fully sanded down? I was able to sand down this dining table to reveal its natural beauty underneath but unfortunately some furniture pieces can’t be sanded down completely. There’s no need to worry! This guide will teach you how to achieve the perfect faux wood look on furniture using a simple painting and glazing technique. Say goodbye to the hassle of sanding and potential damage to wood veneer or laminate. With a few easy steps, you can transform your furniture into a stunning piece that mimics the warmth and beauty of real wood.

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This is what the dresser I painted looked like before. It may look like real wood that can be sanded down but it’s actually made of veneer wood. Veneered pieces are very delicate because the veneer wood is very thin. It needs to be sanded very carefully. If you sand too much then it can cause irreversible damage.

Step 1: Clean and Repair

Before diving into the transformation process, it’s crucial to start with a clean slate. Thoroughly clean your furniture piece to remove any dirt, grease, or residue. This will ensure that the paint adheres properly and results in a smooth finish. If there are any damaged areas where the veneer is lifting, use wood filler to repair, creating a flawless surface for the upcoming painting.

I can’t stress the importance of cleaning your furniutre piece before painting. Prep work is KEY! Krud Kutter (which I’m a big fan of) has a great pre-paint cleaner/TSP Substitute that’s perfect to prepare your surfaces before painting.

Step 2: Lightly Sand and Clean Again

Once the wood filler has dried, sand until it’s flushed with the wood surface. I also like to take a sanding sponge (100 or 120 grit) and lightly sand the entire surface. After sanding, clean the furniture well with a tack cloth to eliminate any sanding dust.

Step 3: Paint

Choose a chalk paint in your desired color. I mixed a sample of Sherwin Williams Neutral Ground with BB Frosch Paint Transformer. Apply the chalk paint to your furniture piece, ensuring even coverage. If needed, apply a second coat once the first one has dried. Chalk paint is an excellent choice for this project as it adheres well to various surfaces and works well with the glaze.

Step 4: Apply Decorative Glaze

Once the paint is completely dry and you are satisfied with the coverage, it’s time to add depth and texture with decorative glaze. Rust-Oleum Decorative Glaze is an excellent option for achieving a faux wood grain effect.

Apply the glaze with a soft brush, then immediately sweep over it with a brush that has harder bristles, such as a deck brush. Use long, light brushstrokes and wipe the brush with a rag between strokes until you achieve your desired wood grain appearance.

The glaze goes on pretty dark. As you sweep the deck brush across, wipe the brush with a rag in between brushstrokes to remove any excess.

I used a small brush to apply the glaze to the top of the drawers.

I then went over it with the deck brush to create the lines that mimic wood grain.

Look at how amazing it looks! The lines created by the deck brush look incredible!

For the dresser frame in between the drawers, I used a cardboard while applying the glaze so that it doesn’t go on anywhere else. You can also tape off the areas you’re not glazing yet with painter’s tape.

Step 5: Seal with Polycryclic

After the glaze has dried, protect your masterpiece by sealing it with a clear polycrylic. A gloss finish adds a subtle shine, enhancing the wood-like appearance. I decided to spray the polycryclic which was super easy.

Once the polycryclic is dried, add your pulls/knobs. I purchased these drop swing drawer pulls from Amazon and love how they look! It was tricky finding 3.25inch center to center pulls and these worked out great!

By following these simple steps, you can transform your furniture into a stunning piece that closely resembles real wood. This faux wood painting and glazing technique eliminates the need for extensive sanding and potential damage to delicate veneer wood. Get ready to enjoy the beauty of wood without the hassle!

For more details on how to achieve faux wood look on furniture, checkout this video tutorial I shared on Instagram.