The only thing better than sipping on a fruity cocktail outdoors in the summer is placing your drink down on a matching fruit-themed coaster. It’s easy to transform a set of dull wooden coasters into cute citrus or watermelon slices with this simple DIY that’s perfect for al fresco dining on your deck.
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Materials Required:
- Wooden coasters
- Pencil
- Acrylic paint in bright colours
- Paint brushes
- Permanent black marker
- White paint pen
- Mod Podge sealer
Step One: Clean the Coasters
Remove any dirt, moisture or grease from each wooden coaster.
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Step Two: Draw the Outline
Using a pencil, lightly draw the outline of a fruit design on each coaster. Try cutting open some limes, lemons and oranges if you need some guidance or inspiration!
Step Three: Apply the First Layer of Paint
Carefully apply an even coat of acrylic paint using a clean and dry paint brush. Experiment with a few bright citrus colours for a realistic look.
Step Four: Apply a Second Coat of Paint
Once completely dry, apply a second coat of paint for better coverage and durability. The wood grain should no longer be visible. Tip: if you’re using a lighter colour, you may need to repeat this step and apply a third coat of paint.
Step Five: Blend in Some White Paint
Next, blend a bit of white paint with your selected colours. Adding a slightly lighter version of the same colour to the edges of your design will create definition to make it look more realistic.
Step Six: Outline the Fruit Pattern
Let the paint dry completely, and then use a paint pen to outline your fruit design with a white border. If you opted for a watermelon-inspired design, add a few seeds with a black permanent marker.
Step Seven: Apply a Sealer
Once the finished design is fully dry, use a paint brush or foam applicator to apply a light layer of matte Mod Podge to seal the coaster. This will help your coasters last longer and resist moisture.
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Images courtesy of Denise Dias
