How to Decoupage Wooden Utensils: A Beginner-friendly DIY Guide

How to decoupage wooden utensils:

Give unfinished wooden utensils a cheerful, handmade look with decorative paper or transfers and decoupage medium. By the end, you’ll have a smooth, beautiful design to display in your kitchen, or gift to a friend!

Difficulty: beginner.

Materials:

*Unfinished wooden spoons

*Fine-grit sandpaper

*Clean, soft cloth

*Thin decorative paper or napkins

*Scissors or a small paintbrush for tearing edges

*Decoupage medium (like mod podge) and a small brush

*A clean, ventilated workspace

Steps:

1.  Prepare the spoon. Lightly sand the unfinished wood, then wipe away all dust and residue. The surface should feel smooth and clean. I like to paint them with matte acrylic paint, the sand them lightly to give a distressed or rustic look.

2.  Choose the design. Select thin decorative paper or the top printed layer of a napkin; be sure to separate the napkin to only the top layer. Avoid thick or heavily textured pieces. In this photo, I used temporary tattoos I bought from Amazon! (Video on my YouTube page).

3.  Cut or tear desired pieces. Make small pieces that can follow the utensil without bunching or overlapping heavily.

4.  Apply medium. Brush a thin, even layer of decoupage medium onto a small section of the spoon. Mod Podge works fine for this. If using tattoos, follow the instructions that came with the package (water is usually the medium).

5.  Place the paper. Lay one piece onto the wet medium and smooth it gently from the center outward to press out wrinkles and bubbles.

6.  Seal the design. Brush a thin coat of sealer over the paper, covering the edges. Continue section by section until the design is complete.

7.  Let it dry. Leave the spoon undisturbed and follow the product label for drying guidance.

8.  Add protection. Apply two or more protective coats of sealer allowing the recommended drying time between coats. 💡

Work carefully: Use thin coats and a light touch so the paper stays smooth. Work in a well-ventilated area, and follow every instruction and warning on the product label.

Seal your design Use a finish specifically rated for food-contact use if you plan to cover a food-contact surface. (I sell only decor/display decoupage items, not intended for food use.)

Finish & cleanup Once the final coat is fully dry, check the edges and touch up any rough spots with a light sander.

This is such a fun DIY project and the spoons make perfect gifts!!

ENJOY your beautifully decorated new utensil!

KraftyKindra