How to Decoupage Furniture A Step-by-Step Guide

A step-by-step guide teaching how to apply decoupage paper on old furniture pieces for an easy DIY furniture makeover project.

decoupage ideas for vintage furniture

Decoupage projects are making a comeback!! Yay! In the last few years, I have noticed more and more decoupaged furniture projects including dressers, armoires, and washstands. Decoupage is a creative way to upcycle home decor and furniture.

So, I am jumping on that bandwagon and I want to show you decoupage techniques that are beginner-friendly.

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prep for decoupage

The first step in any decoupage furniture projects you do will be the prep. These steps will help you to get the best results for a fresh look on an old furniture piece of any kind. 

Below are the basic prep steps I take with most of our pieces. Later in the post, I will share a short video tutorial of the process of creating a vintage look like you see on this washstand.

You will also find my guide to Before and After Furniture Makeovers post helpful! Be sure to check it out for more details!

chippy paint the wood furniture

This piece called for a chippy paint finish and it’s a great way to add a personal touch to furniture makeovers. It’s an easy paint finish to create. 

step one: seal odors and stains

This step is optional. If the piece of furniture has stains and odors, it’s best to seal those before painting and after cleaning. I use an all-in-one stain and odor-blocking product. Apply two coats and allow the coats to cure overnight for the best results.

step two: apply beeswax resist

After prepping this antique washstand, I used a chunk of beeswax in areas where I wanted the paint to chip away. I am a huge fan of chippy paint. Simply rub the beeswax on those areas you want chippiness and then get ready to paint.

step three: paint the furniture surfaces

Then I applied two coats of Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral Paint in Fluff. The white tone of the paint matches perfectly with the background of the decoupage paper I chose for this furniture piece. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly between coats and after the second coat.

step four: scrap off the paint

Gently use a putty knife and scrape away the paint in the areas where you applied the beeswax. The paint will easily come off in those areas creating a chppy vintage look. By the way, don’t wait too long before you scrap away the paint. Chalk paint will stick to anything and when it cures, it can be hard to remove even in the areas with the beeswax resist. Don’t wait any longer than a day and preferably the same day you paint the piece of furniture.

Click the button below if you want to see this process in action on small step stool!

old piece of furniture musty smell

I didn’t apply the stain and odor-blocking sealer to the back of the piece. Instead, I applied a product that would hydrate the wood as well as add a loving scent to the furniture piece.

Using a chip brush, I applied a thin coat of Big Mama’s Butta in Suzanne’s Garden. My workshop smelled so good and the dry wood furniture loved the moisture it provided!

the art of decoupage step by step

step one: precut the decoupage paper

​Measure the area where the decorative paper will go. Then cut out the decoupage tissue paper a bit larger than your measurements. I like to add about 1/2″ all the way around.

step two: apply the decoupage medium

Apply a thin coat of the decoupage glue of your choice. I will chat more about the glue options later in the post.  I used a water-based clear coat. You can use a foam brush or a small chip brush to apply it. Move to the next step quickly because the wood surface needs to be wet with the medium so the paper can adhere to it.

step three: apply the pretty paper

Starting at the top, apply the paper along the top edge then slowly allow the back of the paper to adhere to the wet decoupage medium. Smooth any air bubbles starting in the center and working your way out. 

Some people find it helpful to smooth out the decorative paper using a piece of scrunched-up plastic wrap. I didn’t need to do that with this project but it’s a good idea to have it close by. The paper I used is a thicker paper and is easier to use than thin paper. We’ll chat more about different types of paper later in this post.

Use an Xacto knife to carefully cut away any excess paper in areas as you see on this washstand door inset before it dries. For areas like the drawer fronts, allow the decoupage medium to dry then use a sanding block held at an angle and sand off any excess paper.

step four: seal the paper

The great thing about using a clear coat as the decoupage paper glue is that it is one of the easiest ways to seal the whole piece. A clear coat sealer made for chalk mineral paint will seal the paint as well as the paper. 

Apply two thin coats and allow it to dry completely between coats. Watch out for runs near the insets of the doors and around the hinges. You don’t want to mess up your beautiful work.

list of supplies:

• Fluff chalk mineral paint
• Caviar chalk mineral paint
• White Lightning Cleaner
• decoupage paper (I used Blue Sketched Flowers)
• BOSS Stain and odor Blocker
• Clear Coat (I use Flat finish)
• Big Mama’s Butta in Suzanne’s Garden
• Paintbrush (I like the 2″ mini angle brush)
• chip brush
• Gemstone Mouse in Amber (no longer available!)

different materials for decoupage projects

types of paper

You can use many types of paper to decoupage, but if this is your first furniture decoupage project, I highly suggest using decoupage rice paper. In my opinion, it is the best paper for your first project. It is strong and stable enough to handle moving and positioning it on flat surfaces.

The type of paper you choose is your choice but my favorite is rice paper especially for the beginner!

Here are some other types of paper to use for your decoupage projects:

• wrapping paper (test this paper before using it on a surface to see if it will bubble up and wrinkle too much)
• scrapbook paper (so many beautiful designs to choose from!)
• old sheet music (one of my faves)
• vintage tissue paper (this can be tricky and I don’t advise you to use this thin paper for your first project)
• book pages (also another one of my faves especially if the pages are heavy paper!)
• paper napkins (this can also be a tricky paper to use!)
• paper cutouts (you can cut your own or purchase them)

types of decoupage mediums

You have a couple of options to adhere the paper to your furniture project. My favorite is what I have on hand and that is usually a water-based top coat. If you are unsure, grab a couple of these options and test them out with the paper of your choice.

My experience has been mod podging (is this a verb now?? so funny that it seems to be!) like I did in this drawer liner idea, this secretary desk makeover, and this transformed washstand.

Here are a couple of popular choices for decoupage glue. This article about decoupage glue options will be helpful to you too!

Whatever option you choose, the general method is to apply one thin coat of the glue medium for the printed papers to adhere to and then a couple of coats of Mod Podge (or another medium) to seal the paper.

• Mod Podge
• dedicated decoupage glue
• Elmers School Glue

decoupage furniture ideas

Here are some additional ideas for breathing new life into furniture pieces using decoupage paper. This method of adding intricate designs to various surfaces is an affordable way to decorate your home. Plus you will enjoy the time you spend curating a unique touch to your home!

Enjoy this inspiration from others!

• Rice Paper on Wood Furniture
• Upcycled Table with Decoupage
• Decoupage Furniture

YouTube video tutorial

Here is a quick video made just for you! Simply tap the image below to watch. Be sure to subscribe while you are watching so you don’t miss new videos!

basic tools and supplies

Some of these tools and supplies may be needed for your project. Deciding on the final look of the piece that you want and the condition it is in will determine what supplies and tools you need.

• paint of your choice for the furniture piece (I used chalk mineral paint in a light color that would coordinate with the rice decoupage paper)
• paint brush
• clear top coat in flat to seal the piece
• orbital sander and sanding discs if needed
• sanding block
• TSP cleaner, microfiber cloth, and spray bottle
• wood filler
• decoupage paper
• decoupage medium (I used a clear top coat)

decoupage for furniture doors & drawers

Take a good look at the two cabinet doors. I was careful to change the orientation of the rice paper so that the doors would not match exactly.

The drawer was wider than the decoupage paper so I matched up the seam by cutting around some of the flowers as best as I could. This created a jagged edge that I puzzle-pieced together with small pieces of decoupage paper. That helped to hide the place where the two separate pieces come together. Can you see where they are joined?

Usually, I don’t paint the interiors of cabinets but this piece needed it! The Fluff white paint brightened the inside. I also hung a wire basket to two cup hooks that I screwed into the side of the washstand. This basket will add to the storage possibilities for this little washstand. And it can be easily removed too!

was this helpful?

Thanks for stopping by today! My hope is that you have been inspired to work on a fun project like this one for your home or for someone else.

If I haven’t answered your questions about this project, please reach out me by adding a comment at the bottom of this post. I would love to help you get that project completed!