If you're looking for a charming, rustic way to add some holiday cheer to your home, painted and distressed wooden trees are an easy and beautiful option. Using Country Chic Paint you can create a modern, yet vintage-inspired look that’s perfect for Christmas. And for a little extra magic, you can add a "snowy" finish to your trees for a frosted, wintery touch.
Let’s walk through how to paint and distress your wooden trees, with an optional snow effect that will have your decorations looking like they’ve just been dusted with fresh snow!
What You’ll Need:
- Wooden Christmas tree shapes (Flat or 3D) (you can find these at most craft stores, or cut them yourself from wood)
- Country Chic Paint (choose any of your favorite colors! For a rustic look, try colors like Hollow Hill, Cranberry Sauce, or Soiree for a warm, vintage feel)
- Country Chic Paint Primer (if you’re painting a non-porous material like metal, glass, or ceramic)
- Fine-grit sandpaper (for distressing)
- Paintbrushes (these Artist Brushes work best for this project)
- Painter’s tape (optional, for clean lines)
- Cornstarch (optional, for creating a snowy effect)
- Water (to mix with cornstarch for the snow effect)
- A bowl (to mix the snow paste)
- Clear Wax or Clear Coat (to seal and protect your paint job)
- A lint-free cloth (for applying the wax)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prep Your Wooden Trees
Before you begin painting, you’ll want to prep your wooden trees. If your wooden shapes are unfinished, start by sanding them lightly to remove any rough edges or splinters.
If you’re working with a non-porous material like metal, glass, or ceramic, apply a coat of Country Chic Paint Primer to ensure great adhesion.
Let the primer dry completely before moving on to the next step.
2. Paint Your Trees
Now it’s time to choose your paint color! Country Chic Paint offers a wide range of gorgeous shades that will bring your trees to life. For a rustic, farmhouse look, try shades like Paint the Town, or Simplicity. If you want something a bit bolder, opt for Poppy, Secret Garden or Fireworks.
Apply your first coat of paint using a medium-sized brush. Be sure to allow each coat to dry fully before adding the next.
If you prefer, you can use painter’s tape to create clean lines, or even paint multiple colors for a more festive, colorful effect.
3. Distress the Trees (Optional for a Rustic Look)
Once your painted trees are dry, it's time to add a bit of rustic charm with distressing. This step will give your trees a weathered, vintage look, perfect for creating a cozy, farmhouse-style holiday feel.
To distress your trees, take a piece of fine-grit sandpaper and gently sand the edges and raised areas. Focus on spots that would naturally wear over time, like the tips of branches, corners, or any edges that would be exposed to wear. Sand lightly to reveal some of the wood beneath, which will create a beautifully distressed, rustic effect.
Click here for our full distressing tutorial.
You can distress as much or as little as you prefer, depending on how worn or weathered you want your trees to look. The more you sand, the more of the natural wood will show through, giving your tree that "shabby chic" vibe.
If you'd like to reveal a specific paint color when distressing, try painting your tree with two contrasting colors. For example, use a dark color as the base coat and a lighter color on top. When you sand, the base color will show through wherever the top layer is worn away. For a deeper, more layered effect, keep sanding until you see both the wood and the base color beneath the top coat.
Click here to learn more about two-color distressing.
Once you're happy with the amount of distressing, use a soft cloth to wipe away any sanding dust before sealing your project.
4. Optional Step: Create a Snowy Effect
If you want your trees to have a frosted, "freshly snowed-on" look, this next step is for you! It’s an optional touch, but it really adds some magic to your painted trees.
You’ll need Country Chic Paint’s Simplicity (white) and cornstarch to create a snow-like texture. Here’s how to make the snow paste:
- In a bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with about 1 tablespoon of water. Stir until the mixture becomes a smooth paste. You may need to adjust the consistency by adding more water if it's too thick or more cornstarch if it’s too runny.
- Add a little bit of Simplicity paint to the mixture. You want the paste to have a slight white tint but still be thick enough to create texture when applied.
Now, use a small brush to gently apply the snow paste onto the edges and surfaces of your trees. Focus on areas where snow would naturally accumulate, like the top of the tree, the edges, and the bottom. The cornstarch will give the white paint a slightly textured, snow-like finish, making it look like your trees have been dusted with freshly fallen snow.
Let the snow effect dry completely. You can apply a second layer if you want a more pronounced snowy effect.
5. Seal and Protect Your Trees
To protect your newly painted trees, apply a coat of Country Chic Paint Clear Wax or Clear Coat. This will give the paint a smooth, durable finish and help the distressing and snow effect last through the holiday season.
Use a cloth to apply the wax in circular motions, then wipe away any excess. If you’re using a topcoat, apply it with a brush and allow it to dry thoroughly.
Your painted and distressed wooden Christmas trees are now ready to add some cozy, rustic charm to your holiday decor! Whether you leave them as they are or add the snow effect for a frosty, wintery touch, these trees are sure to be a festive and fun addition to your home.
Not only is this DIY project a great way to repurpose wood and customize your holiday decor, but it’s also an easy way to make your Christmas decorations truly one-of-a-kind. With Country Chic Paint, you can create a timeless, modern look while also embracing that rustic, farmhouse vibe.
These trees are perfect for mantels, table centerpieces, or as a part of a larger holiday display. They also make wonderful gifts for friends and family who love DIY or rustic-style decor.
Happy crafting, and may your home be filled with joy and festive spirit this season!
