The Easy Way to Make New Corbels Look Old

I created a quick and easy DIY shelf for my eat-in kitchen with this easy way to make new corbels look old. A simple tutorial with stunning results!

This sad and lonely wall was screaming for something.

My mind rambled.

Would a piece of furniture fit in this teeny eat-in space?

Of course not!

Then, I stumbled upon this Recycled Wood Shelf from Antique Farmhouse, and fell in love with it!

It was perfect! But there was one issue!

The only issue was the price – right around $200. Yikes! So, yeah, that was too rich for my budget.

When we made over our Kitchen, we updated an old post with rough cut lumber.

I was gifted this perfectly aged piece of cedar that would be an excellent fit for a small shelf.

I was missing those old looking corbels, so I ordered these from Amazon for $29 for the pair!

Much more afforable, doncha think? So here’s how I made them look all old, chippy and crusty!

How to Make New Corbels Look Old

Supplies:
Corbels – you can find them at big box hardware stores or online.
Sand paper
Stain – use old stain you have one hand.
Craft Paint in various colors
White Paint
Crackle Glaze
Antiquing Glaze
Gloves
Rags
Brushes

To begin, I started by lightly sanding down the edges of the corbels. The idea is to make them look weathered, so the more distressed you can make it, the better.

Next, I applied a coat of stain. Use what you have on hand. You’ll only be using a small amount, but the idea is to darken the corbels.

I applied some dark walnut.

I applied it with lots of hits and misses. It doesn’t need to be perfect.

Let that dry.

After that, I used a different stain to age it a bit more.

I had some weathered gray that I used for my Wall Mounted TV Cabinet left over.

Let that dry.

I filled in any unfinished wood with this stain to create a mottled effect.

After that, I used come craft paint in various places to make it seem as if it had been painted many times over the past 100 years.

I didn’t get a pic of the craft painted corbels, but just imagine a stained corbel with green, beige and gray spots like a dalmation and you’ve got it!

After that dried, I applied a coat of the crackle glaze.

After it sits for about an hour , you paint on your top color.

I painted mine white and watched the crackle finish appear almost immediately!

It’s so fun to watch!

After that fully dried, I then finished the corbels with antiquing glaze.

So here’s a side by side of the difference between the white and the antiqued corbel.

It just gives that aged look perfectly!

I let them sit for about 30 minutes and then hung them on my wall.

All in all, from start to finish, I would say these took 2 hours to complete including drying time.

This way to make new corbels look old is such an easy DIY that you can certainly try on your own!

Finally, I put the piece of cedar on top of my corbels.

Oh, and I love how it looks!

It’s like they were meant to be together! And all it cost was $30!

I gathered some decor items from around my home to adorn the small shelf.

It’s a perfectly understated piece for the room!

Pin this DIY to Try!