How To Paint Faux Marble
Make old furniture feel new and luxurious with this easy-to-do painting technique!
One of the easiest and most impactful ways to update old furniture is to paint it. And you can take it up another notch by adding a decorative faux marble finish. While this project looks difficult, it's actually quite basic-you just need some paint, a handful of tools and a smidgen of patience. The following steps will show you how to paint a faux Carrara marble table.
- Time
- Complexity
- Cost
- A full day
- Beginner
- $51–100
Before
Faux Marble Table Top Tools and Materials
- White paint and primer in one, satin finish
- Black paint sample, satin finish
- Clear water-based polyurethane, satin finish
- Sander and 120-grit sandpaper
- Small roller
- Paintbrushes in various sizes
- Sea sponge
- Soft blending brush
- Disposable bowls
- Disposable rags
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Mix Paint Colors
In separate containers, mix white and black paint to create two different shades of gray. Also, keep a small container of the white nearby. Add a couple of teaspoons of water to all colors to thin them out.
The following steps can be completed in one sitting; no need to let the paint dry between layers.
Step 4
Step 5
How to Draw Marble: Brush on Large Gray Veins
Next, use a medium-size paintbrush to place the lightest gray color in various large areas.
Step 6
Step 7
Step 8
Step 9
Step 10
How to Draw Marble: Blend Out Fine Veins
Use a dry blending brush to smooth out the fine veins. Repeat this step at least two times, and add in some white veins to create highlighted areas. When you’re satisfied, allow the paint to dry for several hours.
Tip: Sponging white back into the marble pattern is a secret weapon! You can easily fix mistakes, highlight curves and break up veins that are too dark. Remember to dry-brush any areas that you sponge to blur the colors.
