Learn how to make a distressed wood sign using scrap wood and a stencil. This is the perfect DIY technique for those who love farmhouse decor!

Are you looking for the perfect finishing touch for a space around your home?  How about adding a distressed wood sign!!  It’s a great way to add character and charm to any room.  It’s even better when you can make one yourself that fits your style perfectly!  Today, I’m going to show you how I made one with just a few supplies I already had in my craft toolbox!

Learn to make a distressed wood sign with a stencil using this DIY home decor tutorial. #rusticorchardhome #diyhomedecor #diyhomedecortutorial #distressedwoodsign #woodensigndiy

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Supplies you’ll need for your sign:

Learn to make a distressed wood sign with a stencil using this DIY home decor tutorial. #rusticorchardhome #diyhomedecor #diyhomedecortutorial #distressedwoodsign #woodensigndiy

**Click on the name of the product for more information!!!**

Distressed Wood Sign Tutorial:

Start with a piece of raw scrap wood.  Be sure to choose a piece of wood that is sized appropriately for the space where you will be using your sign.

Learn to make a distressed wood sign with this DIY home decor tutorial. #rusticorchardhome #diyhomedecor #diyhomedecortutorial #distressedwoodsign #woodensigndiy

Next, add a base coat of Dixie Belle Chalk Paint in the color Fluff.  I used a larger brush for this step to make the process go faster.

Learn to make a distressed wood sign with this DIY home decor tutorial. #rusticorchardhome #diyhomedecor #diyhomedecortutorial #distressedwoodsign #woodensigndiy

Be sure to add paint to the edges to give your piece a more professional, finished look.

Learn to make a distressed wood sign with this DIY home decor tutorial. #rusticorchardhome #diyhomedecor #diyhomedecortutorial #distressedwoodsign #woodensigndiy

Once the paint is dry, sand the edges of your piece.  You can sand as much or as little as you want.  Just remember, we will be adding the glaze to the areas where we sanded.  So be sure to sand where you want to add that effect.

Learn to make a distressed wood sign with this DIY home decor tutorial. #rusticorchardhome #diyhomedecor #diyhomedecortutorial #distressedwoodsign #woodensigndiy

You can see I sanded just the very edges of mine.

Learn to make a distressed wood sign with this DIY home decor tutorial. #rusticorchardhome #diyhomedecor #diyhomedecortutorial #distressedwoodsign #woodensigndiy

Next, pour a bit of the Van Dyke Brown Glaze onto a plate and add a bit of water to thin it out.

Learn to make a distressed wood sign with this DIY home decor tutorial. #rusticorchardhome #diyhomedecor #diyhomedecortutorial #distressedwoodsign #woodensigndiy

Next, mix the water into the glaze.

Learn to make a distressed wood sign with this DIY home decor tutorial. #rusticorchardhome #diyhomedecor #diyhomedecortutorial #distressedwoodsign #woodensigndiy

Now it’s time to add the glaze to the edges where you sanded.  Do this using a dry brush technique.  PRO TIP:  Be sure to off load most of the glaze that you have on your brush before dry brushing.  You are going for very little coverage when dry brushing.

Learn to make a distressed wood sign with this DIY home decor tutorial. #rusticorchardhome #diyhomedecor #diyhomedecortutorial #distressedwoodsign #woodensigndiy

This is how mine looked when I was finished.  Notice that I dry brushed around the edges to create a softly distressed look.

Learn to make a distressed wood sign with a stencil using this DIY home decor tutorial. #rusticorchardhome #diyhomedecor #diyhomedecortutorial #distressedwoodsign #woodensigndiy

Tips for adding words to your sign with a stencil:

Learn to make a distressed wood sign with a stencil using this DIY home decor tutorial. #rusticorchardhome #diyhomedecor #diyhomedecortutorial #distressedwoodsign #woodensigndiy

I used a vinyl cutter to make a stencil for my sign, but you can use a Silhouette machine or a product like Chalk Couture to create the same look.

Learn to make a distressed wood sign with a stencil using this DIY home decor tutorial. #rusticorchardhome #diyhomedecor #diyhomedecortutorial #distressedwoodsign #woodensigndiy

PRO TIP:  To alleviate bleed through, paint with the base color first to seal it.  Then use the color that you want for the words (i.e. Caviar).

Learn to make a distressed wood sign with a stencil using this DIY home decor tutorial. #rusticorchardhome #diyhomedecor #diyhomedecortutorial #distressedwoodsign #woodensigndiy

Once the stencil is in place, I use a makeup sponge to pounce the paint onto the surface.

Learn to make a distressed wood sign with a stencil using this DIY home decor tutorial. #rusticorchardhome #diyhomedecor #diyhomedecortutorial #distressedwoodsign #woodensigndiy

Carefully remove your stencil before your paint is dry to prevent bleed through.

Learn to make a distressed wood sign with a stencil using this DIY home decor tutorial. #rusticorchardhome #diyhomedecor #diyhomedecortutorial #distressedwoodsign #woodensigndiy

Learn to make a distressed wood sign with a stencil using this DIY home decor tutorial. #rusticorchardhome #diyhomedecor #diyhomedecortutorial #distressedwoodsign #woodensigndiy

Finally, you can finish your project off with a coat of acrylic clear coat to give it some extra protection.

Want more fun and easy DIY home decor ideas??  Find me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest!

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