Give Old Wooden Bowls a Fresh Look by Lightening the Wood
Turn a dark, dated thrift-store wooden bowl into a bright, modern accent piece by cleaning, sanding, and bleaching the wood, then neutralizing the bleach safely.
By Toby Hayes
We have all spotted one: a wooden salad bowl sitting on a shelf at a secondhand store, coated in a dark varnish that instantly calls to mind 1970s interior trends.
Rather than leaving it behind, you can bring that piece into a modern farmhouse style by lightening the wood with bleach, giving the bowl a more current look. The result will no longer serve as a bowl for mixing and serving salad, but it can become an attractive container for fruit or decorative objects, or a striking display piece on its own.
Whether you have done many DIY projects before or are simply searching for a weekend activity, the steps below walk through turning a thrift store item into something that fits a modern home.
Video: Bleached Wooden Bowl
1. Clean and sand wooden bowl
If you find a thrift store salad bowl that has clearly soaked up years of salad oils, wash it with a gentle liquid detergent and a soft scrubbing tool to remove any leftover dressing residue. After that, sand the surface with 120-grit sandpaper to take off the old finish and reveal the wood's natural character underneath.
2. Paint wooden bowl with bleach
Choose an area with good airflow and place a piece of cardboard down to protect the surface you are working on. Set the bowl carefully on top, then use a brush to spread liquid bleach evenly over the wooden areas of the bowl.
3. Let dry
After applying the bleach, let the bowl dry, checking on it roughly every thirty minutes. You can add more coats of bleach as needed until the wood reaches the lightness you want.
4. Neutralize bleach
When the bowl has reached the color you want, it is important to stop the bleach safely and thoroughly. Take care at this stage, because combining bleach directly with vinegar can produce a hazardous reaction, including the release of dangerous chlorine gas. To reduce risk while halting the bleach's action, rinse the bowl with water first. Then dip a cloth into a mixture of vinegar and water and rub it over the bowl.
Ideas for Styling Your Wooden Bowl
For a rustic, farmhouse feel, place fresh seasonal fruit or a group of vintage linen balls inside the bleached wooden bowl.
For a coastal look, fill it with shells and driftwood to create a small seaside display.
In a minimalist room, the bowl can serve as a standalone statement on a sleek, modern table, or it can hold a cluster of white pillar candles in different heights.
If you enjoy a playful touch, lining the bowl with brightly patterned fabric or paper can turn it into an eye-catching centerpiece or a stylish spot to keep keys and small items on an entryway table.
