Would you like to distress furniture or a decor item but don’t want to deal with the dust and mess? Lucky for you, it can be done! Want to know the secret? We’ll show you how to distress with paint instead of sandpaper!
This technique can be used on furniture or home decor items!
**Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support. (disclosure policy)
Sound too good to be true?
Let’s find out!
How is it possible to distress without sanding
Most people distress furniture by painting it one color and then sanding the paint away to reveal the color underneath.
If you don’t want the mess of sanding, you can use a reverse distressing technique.
This is attained by painting your item one color and highlighting the raised areas and edges with a completely different color.
It’s like magic, and it gives the appearance that it was sanded.
Today we’re painting a thrifted tissue box to match our bathroom decor.
The tissue holder is painted brown with gold accents, but we want to change it to black and white.
Let’s get started!
How to Distress a tissue box with paint
Gather
Gather the following items to complete this DIY project:
- Tissue box- purchased at a thrift store
- Paint -Waverly Chalk Paint in White and Ink
- Paintbrush- Zibra
- Sponge brush
- Wax- Annie Sloan in Clear
- Wax brush
- Paper plates
- Lint-free paper towels
Prep
Wash the tissue box and dry it.
Paint
Paint one coat of white paint and let dry.
It always looks terrible after the first coat, and I wonder if I’ve made a mistake, lol!
Don’t worry! Apply a second coat of white paint and let dry.
I needed a third coat of paint to get complete coverage!
That’s usually the case when painting a dark item white!
Reverse Distress
Now it’s time for the fun part!
Grab a paper plate and put some black paint on it.
First, dab the pointed end of the sponge into the black paint.
Then, wipe the excess off on the paper plate.
Very carefully touch the tip of the sponge onto the raised areas.
Do not push the sponge into the tissue box.
Use a light touch to keep the paint out of the crevices.
Finally, dab paint around the edge and the top and bottom of the box!
Let the paint dry.
Seal
We need to seal the tissue box to protect our new paint finish.
Dab your wax brush into the wax and dab the excess onto a paper plate.
Brush wax over one side of the tissue box. Wipe with a lint-free paper towel to remove excess.
Continue sealing the entire box.
Display your new Tissue Box
Look how well the thrift store tissue box matches the decor in our bathroom now!
I used the same reverse-distressing technique on the tissue box as on the towel hooks on the wall above it.
Check out the post if you want to know how we made towel hooks from old frames!
Isn’t it amazing how it looks like the tissue holder has had years of use?
You should try this technique! It’s fun and won’t make a mess in your house!
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Blessings, Donna and Rich
Pin It For Later
More DIY Paint Inspiration
- Table Set Makeover With Paint and a Stencil
- How to Transform Ceramic Items with Spray Paint
- Tips to Paint Upholstery
- Chalk Paint a Kitchen Table and Chairs
- Four Living Room Table Makeovers with paint
**Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support. (disclosure policy)
Wow!! That’s magic! Genius, Donna. It looks SO good and without all the hassle of sanding! Pinned!
Yes, Rachel it works like magic and no mess!! Let me know if you try it sometime!! Thank you!
This is my favorite way to distress items, your tissue box looks great! I agree Donna, on my first and sometimes second coat, I always freak out and think what have I done? Why did I think it was a good idea to paint this. Then all is good, and I am okay with my decision-making skills, teehee! Love the way it turned out, and I love the way it looks in your bathroom. Another fabulous DONNA IDEA!
You’re the sweetest Cara! Thanks for your kind words! I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who freaks out after the first coat of paint!!
Love how this came together, Donna! It doesn’t even look like the same piece. Plus, it fits with your fabulous frames and bathroom decor too. Thanks for sharing quick and easy updates like this. I love them! Hugs, CoCo PS: I feel just like you and Cara do every time I paint – that first coat – gah what a beast sometimes!
Yes, it’s so scary when you start painting things and the first coat looks so awful, lol! Just glad it matches my bathroom now!! Thanks and take care!
Donna – This is the perfect transformation of a boring tissue box to a glamorous shabby chic tissue box. I love the transformation. Thanks for the step by step instructions. Thank you also for sharing your post on the Home Imagined Link Party.
Hi Anna! It really is a great transformation! I like it so much better now and it looks wonderful in our bathroom! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing this technique. I am working on a project that I couldn’t decide how to age it and I think this idea will help. This post will also be a feature this week. #HomeMattersParty
Hi Donna! I’m so happy this post was helpful to you and I appreciate the feature! Thanks so much!