DIY · été
The faux-travertine coffee table (no real stone)
Reference tutorialdelilapipolySee the tutorial →A real travertine table easily costs several hundred euros. This effect comes from plaster and a little patience, on a table you already own. The result fools the eye up close. On each diagram below, the highlighted zone shows the current step.
What you need
- A coffee table to revamp (yours, or an IKEA Lack ~€25)
- Filler or decorative plaster (~€10)
- Medium + fine sandpaper
- Beige and light-grey acrylic tints (~€8)
- Natural sponge + soft cloth
- Matte varnish or sealant (~€12)
- Flexible spatula + flat brush
Step by step
Sand and prep the top
Sand the top with medium grit so the plaster grips, then dust it off. If the table is very smooth (melamine), a bonding primer makes sure nothing flakes later.
Spread a coat of plaster
With the flexible spatula, spread a thin coat of plaster over the whole top using uneven strokes to keep some texture. Let it dry, then add a 2nd coat if needed. That slight grain is what mimics stone.
Create natural veins
Mix a little grey into the beige and, with the sponge, dab soft uneven veins. Blend immediately with a cloth: travertine has no sharp lines, just merged tones. Work in small touches.
Light sand, then matte seal
Once dry, sand very lightly with fine grit to soften the feel. Finish with two coats of matte sealant: it protects against cup marks and locks in the stone effect. Never use a glossy finish, it gives the imitation away.
The detail that changes everything
The secret to a believable faux travertine is restraint: blended veins, never drawn, and a strictly matte finish. Gloss is what makes it read as 'paint' instead of 'stone'.
Where does it look best?
On a coffee table of course, but also a console top or a side shelf. The effect pairs with rattan, linen and warm tones, the real 2026 trend. Just avoid heavily water-exposed surfaces without a good sealant.
Step-by-step inspired by a tutorial spotted on YouTube. Work in a ventilated area when sanding and sealing.
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