Black Wash Console Table Makeover

This traditional console table had great bones, but the finish felt tired and dated. After taking a few simple steps to clean up years of wear, I decided to give it a black wash instead of a full paint job. The subtle layered finish toned down the wood while still letting the grain show through, creating a rich, slightly aged look that feels both classic and current.

This console table, also known as a sofa table or trestle table, was well beyond my usual $5 limit for thrift-store projects. A friend spotted it for me, and once I saw it, I couldn’t pass it up, even with the $20 price tag.

The Furniture Fixer Upper Tour is a monthly furniture makeover series featuring a small team of furniture-painting friends. Each month, we all start with a tired or thrifted piece and share how we clean it up, repair it, and give it a fresh new finish. After you check out this project, be sure to visit the links at the bottom of the post to see what the rest of the Furniture Fixer Upper team did with their finds.

Console Table Before

At first glance, the table is in pretty good shape. It’s difficult to say how old it is because there aren’t any markings on the underside.

Looking closer, you can definitely see a lot of scratches and gouges.

I guess you noticed the snow? We often get snow here in Louisville, KY, but it rarely sticks around for very long. The temperature was in the mid-40s, and the snow was doing its best to melt.

Sand the Table to Prep for Painting with a Black Wash

An orbital sander was used, changing out the sandpaper discs shown above. I started with 80-grit, then 120-grit, and finally 320-grit.

This image was taken after the first pass with the orbital sander. Do you think that is a child digging into the wood, or perhaps a pest?

I continued sanding until the tabletop not only looked smooth but also felt smooth to the touch.

Is This Trestle Table an Antique?

At first glance, the plank top and trestle base might make this console table look much older than it actually is. The style borrows from early American and farmhouse designs, but this piece is more likely from the late 1980s or 1990s rather than the 1800s.

True antiques usually show uneven board widths, hand tool marks, old square nails, and subtle irregularities from hand craftsmanship. This table has clean, consistent turnings and evenly milled boards, indicating factory production.

That said, not being an antique does not make it disposable. In fact, furniture from this era is often solid wood, well-built, and of far better quality than many new pieces today. It just needs a little vision.

I think I have the vision that will bring this makeover home.

It’s Time to “Look Under the Hood”

Before I get too far into this console table makeover, I want to check for any issues. I checked all the nuts and bolts to ensure everything was in order.

Those furniture glides were in rough shape, so I was very thankful they took on the water without damaging the table base.

What a mess! I pried off the nailed glides. I will be replacing them with felt pads.

Scuff Sand with a Sanding Sponge

I did a little scuff-sanding on the flat surfaces of the sofa table with a 220-grit sanding sponge.

Bondo Repairs Damaged Wood

That’s when I discovered this damage, which may have been caused by pests. I mixed a small batch of Bondo to fix the long area, only to find a small hole while sanding the first patch job. I mixed more Bondo to fill the hole.

Clean and Degloss to Prepare Table for Black Wash

This surface prep is my go-to when I’m working with a dirty piece of furniture. It ensures your paint adheres properly.

Because this console table is old, a lot of dirt and grime had built up. I began by wiping it with a soft cloth, but then I noticed that it wasn’t cleaning the detailed areas. I keep an old toothbrush in my arsenal for cases just like this. The toothbrush was dipped into the surface prep solution and used to scrub those tiny areas. The cloth was used to wipe the solution back.

The table is repaired and cleaned, ready to begin applying the black wash.

Materials for Painting a Table with a Black Wash

This was my first attempt at doing a black wash technique. I’m pretty good at doing a whitewash, but this effect seems a little different to me.

How to do a Black Wash on Furniture

• Spray furniture with a continuous spray bottle that has a very fine spray. This is not a spray bottle.
• Mist your brush, add a bit of paint, and go over the furniture.
• Wipe away excess paint with a soft cloth.

The result will be a hint of black paint with a few wood tones showing through. Use the water mister on your brush or on the furniture, or sometimes both.

I think the end result is stunning! It’s sort of like using an Ebony stain, but so much more user-friendly.

Using Brown Craft Paper to Sand the Table Top

Because the table top was raw wood, the black wash was a little rough. I like to crumple brown craft paper to sand or burnish the wood to a smooth finish.

Apply Furniture Wax

I have a small container of Miss Mustard Seed’s furniture wax from years ago. I’m not generally a fan of waxing; that’s why I use Chalk Glaze on many of my furniture projects.

The brush was too large to fit into the tiny jar, so I dug out the wax with a plastic fork and spread it on a Styrofoam plate.

After allowing the wax to dry for 3-5 minutes, I buffed the furniture with a soft flour sack towel.

Brown Furniture Era Console Table with a Black Wash

This close-up of the table shows how the brown era furniture shows through the black wash.

Related Content: Simple Sofa Table Makeover

I must say, it’s much prettier in real life than in photos.

The lower rail is perfect for displaying baskets.

• Trestle Table Makeover (You are here, thank you)
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• The Prettiest Antique Dresser Makeover
• One Day Furniture Makeover