Are you looking to transform your dark cherry wood furniture item into a beautiful, light, and neutral piece? A real wood credenza is a versatile and functional furniture item that can add warmth and character to any space. I found this dark and dingy hutch for 30 bucks at the thrift store and I just HAD to update it!

Now that it’s done, I call it my Narnia hutch. Isn’t it magical?

In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of painting a real wood credenza to achieve a stunning whitewashed and antique glazed finish. With just a few simple materials and some work, you can transform your old credenza into a modern and stylish piece that you’ll love for years to come.

Materials needed:

• Ryobi orbital sander
• 80 grit sandpaper
• 120 grit sandpaper
• 220 grit sandpaper
• Varathane wood conditioner
• Varathane whitewash
• Rust-oleum Java Brown antique glaze
• General Finishes flat topcoat
• Four-inch foam rollers
• New knobs

Steps:

1. Sand down the credenza with a Ryobi orbital sander. Begin with 80 grit sandpaper to remove any rough or uneven areas, then switch to 120 grit, and finish with 220 grit sandpaper to smooth out the surface. Be sure to sand in the direction of the wood grain.
2. Apply Varathane wood conditioner to the entire surface of the credenza using a clean cloth. Wipe off any excess and allow it to dry completely. Then, apply Varathane whitewash with a rag. Work in sections, rubbing on the whitewash and then immediately rubbing it off. Be sure to really work the whitewash into the wood.
3. After the whitewash has dried for 1-2 hours, apply Rust-oleum Java Brown antique glaze onto the whitewashed wood. Work in sections, wiping on the glaze and then rubbing it off to your liking. Be sure to work quickly as the glaze dries fast.
4. Once the glaze has dried, apply two coats of General Finishes flat topcoat using a four-inch foam roller. This will eliminate any oiliness from the previous glaze and protect the finish. Be sure to wait for the first coat to dry before applying the second coat. Alternatively, you can use a spray sealer instead of the matte clear coat. Allow the topcoat to dry completely.
5. Finally, modernize the look by replacing the old knobs with new ones. Screw the new knobs onto the credenza and enjoy your newly painted piece!

I hope this tutorial helps you achieve the look you’re going for. Don’t forget to take before and after photos to share with your readers!