How To Paint a Marble Effect on Furniture

Introduction

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.

This side table circa the 1970s cost just a few dollars at a garage sale. While not much to look at, it’s sturdy and solid. With a little bit of paint, though, it will look great.

Sponging white back into the marble pattern is a secret weapon! It allows you to easily fix mistakes, highlight curves and break up too-dark veins. Remember to dry-brush any areas that you sponge to blur the colors.

There’s also no need to let the layers dry fully while creating your marble look with paint; it’s easier to blend if the paint is still a bit wet. You don’t want harsh, cartoonish lines here; instead, try for softer veins that come naturally.