Furniture Transfer Wooden Sign DIY

I used Dixie Belle lace furniture transfers for wood to whip up a decorative DIY sign for my home.

It's a great way to get a custom home decor accent without a fancy machine or stenciling and it's another creative way to use your leftover transfers.

The fact that I'm a fickle decorator is not news to anyone who knows me well.

Ok, wait, that's not entirely true.

The truth is once I commit to a certain look, I'm in for the long haul.

For example, my kitchen has been red and white forever.

And I still love it, with no plans for a change.

However, I do like to swap out the accessories often, for a fresher view.

Sometimes more than once a season.

The result is double win, since I get new scenery and, usually, a brand new craft, which is, obviously, the best part.

This week, in my quest for something fresh, I made a new sign for above the kitchen sink.

You may recall that Christmas I made a white sign to go with my white Christmas theme.


However, this year, I dove back into my roots, and decided to embrace red with two hands.

That meant I needed a red sign.

And while I adore my wallpaper rooster sign, after almost two decades, I thought it was time for something different.

Now, stenciling isn't really my favorite. Which is why those roosters hung around for so long.

While it may be one of the easier ways to make a sign, I'm much happier when I can take a different route.

In addition to wallpaper decals, in the past, I've made sticker signs signs. Or use precut wooden letters to get my desired effect.


Most recently, I ordered a custom transfer to make a stunning sign. Another super simple sign idea, that was literally peel and stick.

This time, however, I decided to try a furniture transfer and I have to say, I'm hooked. It was simple project with a dramatic outcome. 

And not a stencil in sight.

Of course, before I could decide on a transfer design, and there are a lot of them to choose from,  I had to work out my vision.

There's a lot of pattern in this room and adding more was something I wasn't sure would work.

I thought about words, another saying, but been there, done that.

Then I considered a gift bag Christmas sign, but again, I've done that, too.

Besides, I really wanted something that I could keep up there for a while.

Elegant. Cottagey. 

Nondescript.

But striking.

Traditional.

But with a fresh feel.

It was a tall order, but one I was able to fill with lace. Always a classic.

If you follow me on Instagram, you caught sneak peek of the finished sign last night. Here's the DIY as promised. 

You can see a quick video of the process on Instagram, too. 

Using Furniture Transfers To Make A Wooden Sign

This was a quick and easy process with just a few steps. You don't need any special tools or skills. I promise!

Supplies I used:

Dixie Belle Lace Transfer
Dixie Belle Chalk Paint in Barn Red
Dixie Belle Chalk Paint in Rustic Red
Paint Brush
Dixie Belle Clear Coat Satin
Scrap Wood
Saw

This DIY started the same day, as my rice paper Christmas trees.

1. Cut Your Wood

My husband had the saw and scrap wood out, so I asked him to cut me a piece that would fit over the sink.


Easy enough. I used my old sign as a template.

2. Paint The Board

Once inside I gave it a few coats of red chalk paint.

I didn't need to sand or prime it. The paint went on easily and covered perfectly.

I used a color called Barn Red to start, then to add a little more depth and get the color to closer to the tones in my room, I added blended in a bit of Rustic Red.

3. Seal The Board

When the paint was dry I gave the board a quick coat of the satin clear coat and set it aside to dry again.

4. Measure and Plan Transfer Placement

Then I took my transfers out of the tube, read the directions and planned my pattern.

I measured for even spacing and marked my wood with a pencil when I was sure of the placement.

5. Peel and Apply Transfer To Wood

To start, I simply peeled the adhesive backing away from the sticky side of the pattern, laid it on the wood and started rubbing the backside with the enclosed tool.

To be honest, nothing happened.


In a perfect world, the transfer would've released easily, but it didn't.

After a few minutes, I gave up and walked away, thinking that maybe the surface was still too wet. 

Turns out, I was right. Time was the cure.

That was helpful to know when I updated my magazine rack with transfers and added more transfers to this sign for summer.

But let's finish this one first.

When I returned to my sign an hour later, to try again, the transfer released immediately and with ease.

6. Remove Backing Paper

I was able to remove the backing paper to reveal the delicate pattern on my board.

I just repeated the same process on the other side of the board and I was done.

Very simple design, but it packed the punch I was looking for, without being overwhelming, sitting between a toile sink skirt and checked curtain panels.


It was exactly what I was looking for to punctuate the space.

Upgrade my view.

And all without a stencil.

Fabulous.

Are you a frequent updater?

More Furniture Transfer Ideas:

• Glass Vase Transfer Makeover
• Small Wooden Crate Makeover
• Wooden Cutting Board Upcycle
• Valentine Sheet Music Transfer Banner

Happy Crafting!!