Patina in furniture: see how to do and 56 inspirations

Do you want to decorate your home with antique furniture? If the answer is positive, then bet on the patina on furniture. This painting technique is responsible for aging the surfaces, valuing the worn and imperfect aspect.

To the letter, the word patina refers to a chemical compound that forms in the metal after the action of time and climate. She is responsible for leaving any aged objects. Inspired by this aesthetic, many artisans are betting on the handmade patina to transform the decoration.

Patina, in handicrafts, is a type of decorative painting, widely used in wooden furniture. It manages to innovate the finish of a piece, leaving it with a charming Provençal and aged appearance (faded, scratched and veined).

Patina is considered a very common form of furniture restoration in Brazil. The aged effect, characteristic of this painting, is made with hard bristle brushes, waxes, paraffins or candles. The technique also allows to mix colors, in order to make the customized furniture even more original.

Through the patina technique, it is possible to restore beds, tables, dressers, dressing tables, cabinets, among many other furniture. This handmade work is very easy to put into practice and helps to reuse the furniture that is out of fashion.

Different types of patina in furniture and tutorials

Do you want to apply patina to used furniture? Then follow the step-by-step below of popular techniques:

Provencal patina

The patina with Provencal style is inspired by the time of Queen Marie Antoinette (France, 17th century). The technique has the power to renovate old furniture and leave it with a charming, worn look. The white finish is in charge of making the piece look more romantic and delicate.

Watch the video and learn how to make Provencal patina:

Demolition Patina

Materials

PVA inks in dark brown and light brown colors
Brushes with thick bristles
Fine sandpaper for wood
Colorless paste wax
Foam roll
Candle

The demolition patina is well-worn and has no shine. It mainly combines with the finishing of robust farm furniture. Check step by step:

Step 1: paint the entire furniture with PVA dark brown paint. Wait for it to dry and apply a second coat. Allow to dry well.

Step 2: take a regular candle and go through the whole piece, spreading the paraffin well at work.

Step 3: using the thick bristle brush, apply a paint with a lighter tone than the bottom throughout the piece. Let it dry.

Step 4: Sand all the furniture in the same direction, until it looks worn.

Step 5: finish by applying a little colorless paste wax to protect the furniture.

Traditional patina

Materials

PVA inks in white and sand
Brushes with thick bristles
Sandpaper for wood
Colorless paste wax
Foam roll
Spackling

The traditional page technique is the best option for those who want to restore chairs. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: using the roller, apply white PVA paint throughout the piece. Let it dry and then apply another coat.

Step 2: when the piece is dry and all white, apply with the brush a mixture of 80% putty and 20% white PVA paint. Wait 24 hours for complete drying.

Step 3: apply a PVA paint with a sand tone throughout the piece, moving the brush always in the same direction. You can add a little water to the paint to make it softer and easier to apply. Wait for 12 hours of drying.

Step 4: run the wood file through the entire piece.

Step 5: put a little colorless paste wax on a dry cloth and apply all over the furniture.

Mexican patina

Materials

PVA inks in yellow, orange and red
Brushes with thick bristles
Sandpaper for wood
Colorless paste wax
Foam roll

The Mexican patina is the best option for those who want to highlight the characteristics of a well-worn piece of furniture. It has a very colorful background and a lighter coverage. Follow:

Step 1: using the same brush, apply red, orange and yellow paints throughout the furniture. Do this always thinking about mixing these warm tones. When finished, wait 5 hours for drying.

Step 2: apply colorless paste wax over the dry base. Then apply white paint. Wait 3 hours for drying.

Step 3: sand the piece with sandpaper for wood.

Washed patina

The washed patina has, as main characteristic, the lightness of the finish. The craftsman generally uses soft colors, with a tone-on-tone effect. When performing this technique it is possible to leave the furniture with a rustic or romantic appearance. Watch the video below and learn the step by step: