How To Decoupage Furniture: A Step-By-Step Guide (With Pictures)
Whether you’re making a piece of furniture over or just want to add some decoration to old furniture, decoupage can be an excellent way to do so.
One of my first ever furniture makeovers I did on wood furniture when I started blogging was using decoupage to makeover this Woven Decoupage Table using gift wrap. After the success of that decoupage furniture project, I Decoupaged the Top of a Hand-Me-Down Dresser that I still use in a guest room.
Decoupage adds style and personality to a piece of furniture that paint or stain alone can’t. In this post, I am going to show you how I refinished the top of this Set of Tray Tables for a second time.
Yep – you read that right – round two makeover. That alone tells you that I have been blogging for a long time that one of my DIY Decorating Projects was in need of a refresh.
7 years ago I painted a set of thrift store TV Tray Tables, white. I then used a transfer method to paint typography on the tops of each to make them over. I loved these and still do.
The tables get used daily for many different uses since they are easy to move anywhere you need an extra table, both inside and outside the house. With all the use, the tops were beginning to get worn.
I thought of replacing the tables, but they were perfectly functional and I liked that the tops had a decorative shape. All they needed new a new finish for the tops.
Instead of repainting them, after sanded the tops, I covered each table top with a sheet of Wicker Pattern Gift Wrap I found on Etsy.
I like the new look and so does my husband Ed, who never says much about my decorating projects, but he likes these.
I also like how the tray tables coordinate with the Natural Grasscloth Rug along with the Wicker Basket Side Table and the Serena & Lily DIY Knock-Off Side Table I have in my living room.
What is Decoupage?
Decoupage is a type of craft that involves using glue or decoupage medium to glue paper onto a surface and then sealing it under a clear top coat. It can be done with paper as well as fabric as I did in this Decoupaged Drawer Makeover. The process can range from simple applications using one piece of paper to more complex and intricate designs using cut-outs of paper.
It is a great way to bring an old piece of furniture back to life and make it look unique, or to create something truly special from scratch when you find a paper or fabric you love and need a way to use in when decorating your home.
What Paper Is Best for Decoupage on Furniture?
The kinds of paper to use when decoupaging furniture can be any type of paper like tissue paper, paper napkins, or sheet music – but wallpaper or heavyweight gift wrap work the best on furniture.
I used wrapping paper to redo my set of wood tray tables. You can find it here: Wicker Print Gift Wrap. There are 5 sheets in a roll. Each sheet measures 20″ x 29″.
How to Decoupage Furniture
When decoupaging furniture you can use a decoupage medium like Mod Podge as it does double-duty as a glue for attaching the paper to the surface as well as a sealer that will protect the surface. It is what I used on this Decoupaged Old Dresser I have in a guest room. It comes in many formulas from matte to glossy as well as for use on exterior projects.
When using larger pieces of paper, I prefer to use the spray version of Mod Podge as it goes on more evenly.
When decoupaging furniture, paint the piece first with an acrylic paint and let it dry completely before applying the decoupage. Some research has shown that Mod Podge doesn’t work as well on latex paint, so try to use other types of paint like acrylic or chalk paint when painting the piece of furniture you plan to decoupage.
If decoupaging over an existing painted surface that is sealed, you will need to knock down the sheen from the surface before applying the paper.
supplies needed to decoupage furniture:
- A piece of furniture
- Decorative paper – wallpaper, gift wrap, maps, scrapbook paper, sheet music, book pages or any type of paper.
- Sharp scissors
- Craft knife
- Sand paper 100 -160 grit
- Pencil
- Mod Podge Decoupage Medium or you can also use a spray adhesive and a water-based clear polyurethane sealer over it.
Time needed: 1 hour and 10 minutes
How to Decoupage Furniture – Step-by-Step Instructions
- Determine How The Furniture Will Be Used
If you are planning on using the top of the furniture for serving drinks or food, the decoupage paper you use should be more heavy weight and you will need to seal it with a few layers of water-based top coat.
If you are planning to decoupage the front of drawers where nothing will ever sit on top of them, then any paper will work.
- Prep The Surface
In a well-ventilated area, begin preparing the surface by removing any hardware on the furniture. Use 100 grit sandpaper to sand surface and repair damage. Fill holes with wood filler and clean the surface well using a tack cloth.
- Prime & Paint
If needed, paint the piece, first using a coat of primer or use a paint-and-primer-in-one formula of paint to ensure the paint will adhere well.
Let dry completely before decoupaging the paper onto the surface.
Note: I did not paint the sanded tops on the tables since I knew I would be covering them. I did touch up the legs with paint. - Cut Paper To Size
Place table upside down on gift wrap. Trace shape of tray top on paper to size needed.
The top on my tables had a border that was lower than the center section, so I had to trace the top and then subtract an inch all around to get the right size for the paper.
- Cut Paper
Carefully cut shape out with very sharp shears that will allow you to simply push the tips of the shears through the paper. Cutting out the paper using this method creates a smooth cut.
If there are any areas that have detailed cuts, use a small pair of scissors for those areas. - Make Sure Cut Paper Fits
After cutting paper, lay it on the surface of the table to make sure it fits
before gluing it down on the surface. - Apply Decoupage Paper to Furniture
You can use decoupage medium, like Mod Podge to attach the paper to the surface of the furniture. I prefer to use spray adhesive to attach the paper. It creates a smoother bond.
If using Mod Podge, apply thin coats. If using spray adhesive, spray evenly over the back of the paper as well as the surface for better adhesion.
Note: Decoupage medium does tend to wrinkle thinner papers so you may want to test a small piece on the underside of the furniture you are making over.
APPLICATION TIP: Once paper is attached, use a plastic spatula to carefully run over the surface to push out and remove any wrinkles or air bubbles that may appear in the paper.
Work from the center out to the edges. Check every 10 minutes to make sure no new wrinkles have appeared. If they have, push them out again with the spatula being careful not to apply too much pressure that could rip the paper. - Trim Around Edges
If necessary, use a sharp pair of small scissors or a craft knife to trim the edges of paper around the border of the top. - Clean Surface Again
Use a tack cloth or microfiber cloth to make sure all dust or dirt is removed from the glued on paper before sealing with a topcoat. - Apply a Clear Coat Sealer Topcoat
To seal decoupage on furniture, you must use a water-based sealer or topcoat. If you use and oil-based sealer or lacquer, over time your pretty paper will yellow. Apply two coats of sealer, letting the first coat dry before adding the second coat.
Mod Podge is a popular brand of decoupage glue that comes both in a brush-on and a spray formula that I recommend for sealing especially if sealing with a gloss finish as there won’t be any brush strokes showing up in the dried finish. I didn’t have spray Mod Podge, but did have Rustoluem 2X spray Matte sealer that is also non-yellowing and worked well.
When using a spray sealer, follow the product directions on the can. Basically shake the can well and spray a light even coat over surface with the can about 8 inches from the surface. Apply a second light coat about 5- 10 minutes after the first.
If using brush-on top coat sealer, use a high quality paint brush, a bristle or foam brush. Don’t use a chip brush as the quality is poor and bristles will come out and get sealed into the surface.
- Optional: If Making Over More Than One Piece of Furniture
If you are covering a set of tables, make a template out of the first table top shape you trace and cut out. It will save you time as there is no need to have to trace around each table.
All done and ready to get back to work, not only in my living room, but when needed in any room in the house.
Do you use tray tables in your home? My set of 4 came with a stand that I place out of the way in a corner of the room.
The tables are so versatile – from eating dinner off of when binge watching Netflix to holding my computer when I want to work in my living room to using as a side table next to our dining table when we are entertaining and there isn’t enough room on the table for all the serving plates and bowls.
Stylish Sets of Tray Tables
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