How to make decoupage on wood: techniques and ideas for DIY decorations that will transform furniture and other objects you love into real works of art.
Decoupage is a technique of decoration whose remote origins they date back, according to some, to before the birth of Jesus Christ. Subsequently scribe monks in the Middle Ages they employed this technique to decorate their manuscripts.
Venetian craftsmen and furniture makers they began to make extensive use of it because they were able in less time to create their works of art along the lines of the Chinese-style decoration that was so much in vogue in European courts.
The name derives from the French verb decouper, that is to say crop; in fact with decoupage on wood apply, with the help of glue, clippings and scraps of paper on the surface of the piece of furniture or the wooden object we have chosen to give it a touch of originality.
Read also: Decoupage decorations
Table of Contents
Decoupage: what you need
To try our hand at the company e customize with decoupage a box, a frame or why not a chest of drawers, we will need some elements.
- brushes of various sizes
- vinyl glue
- sand paper
- acrylic paints to add color to our work
- a sponge
- scissors
- cutter for the most delicate details
- paper scraps
Decoupage: the step-by-step technique
Before proceeding to the actual decorating work, go first treated the wooden surface that we have chosen to customize. Should there be any irregularities, it is advisable apply some putty where necessary and, subsequently, once it has dried, proceed to pass over the entire surface la fine-grained sandpaper.
After completing this step you can decide to darken the wood using the mordant specific for this material. You will need to paint the surface and let it dry. Or you can opt for a more lively solution and use acrylic colors. Let the coat of paint just passed dry completely and properly before continuing with the work.
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Now you can start the part of decoupage decoration real. They come into play scissors, cutters and pieces of paper. We recommend having scissors of various sizes available and with both straight and curved blades depending on the type of cutout you have set out to make.
It might take some precision to get into the drawing and identify even very small details. It will therefore also serve a utility knife and a suitable surface on which to use it to avoid ruining the plan on which you set to work.
With regard to the paper to be used it can be said that there is really plenty of choice. In addition to the decoupage kit which can be found on the market in specialized shops and well-stocked stationery shops, being a creative recycling technique, nothing prevents you from using materials you have at home, from magazine clippings, to the pages of old books and newspapers and comics.
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A smart alternative is represented by decorated paper napkins: they come in the most varied and particular shapes, colors and motifs, some are real works of art on their own, and they could be the twist you need to make your DIY awesome.
Once you’ve cut out the pieces of paper, start a study the drawing or the reason to be realized, placing them on the object to decorate e studying the combination that most convinces you. Don’t use glue right away – you may want to change the arrangement of the cutouts and need to change someone’s place to improve the effect or angle of the design. Help yourself with a wooden pencil to draw some contours to respect.
Once you have identified the decoration to be made, prepare the glue vinyl mixing three parts of water and one of glue. On the market you will also find special adhesives for decoupage that will make this step faster.
Glue might be nice add some purpura, gold, silver or bronze powder, to give an extra touch of color to your work.
Brush both sides of the paper template make and apply the figures as previously designed on your wooden object. At each attack, with the help of a flat brush and proceeding gently, apply a further layer of glue to further secure the paper to the wood.
To avoid the formation of air bubbles that compromise the success of the work, dab with extreme delicacy clipping with a sponge, perfect could be the ones you use to apply make-up, they are practical, handy and very easy to find.
Once you have finished the pieces of paper to be glued and finished the design, let it dry for a few hours. When the necessary time has elapsed, apply another layer of varnish, this time you will need a transparent one, specific for fixing and to give stability to the work done.
Once dried, it will ensure good resistance to use and time. On the market you will find paints to achieve various final effects: glossy and lacquered or matt for a more vintage touch to the work.
Original ideas for decoupage
Here are some ideas to get to work and create your object or piece of furniture in pure decoupage style.
Country chic style chairs
The old wooden chairs, returning from a move or brought back to light after years locked in the attic of their grandmother, they can return to a new life with some color and a skilful play of flowers and natural subjects, buying a romantic and country chic air.
Imaginative chest of drawers
The dull, monochrome chest of drawers and dated will be reborn with a coat of white paint and some clippings of paper or cloth. As in the photo we have chosen, a great gimmick and choose a different theme and fantasy for each drawer, you just need to make regular and equal portions of paper and remember to leave the space for the knob in the center or the handle.
It would be nice to think of replacing the latter too for a further wow effect.
Creative boxes and jewelry boxes
Boxes, boxes and jewelry boxes. Approaching this technique using these small objects might be a good idea if you want to practice and familiarize yourself with the technique before moving on to decorating something more challenging like a piece of furniture.
In addition to renovating the ones you already have at home, you can really find some of all sizes and shapes in home improvement stores, starting at even very low prices.
Small Christmas decorations
Small decorations to use both as Christmas tree decorations both as extra touches to add to gift boxes for your loved ones, and as a firm place for family dinners. Easy work, maximum yield for a very personal final effect it is original.
Custom frames
For make your photographs unique, why not display them in a frame customized by you? When you look at them, you will admire them with even more love.
How to make decoupage on wood: pictures and photos
With the decoupage technique you can make many beautiful and personal DIY creations or renovate furniture and other wooden objects. Here is our gallery for other ideas.
