[header] How to distress wood [title] Sand down the edges. [step] Go over the angled edges of the piece with a sheet of sandpaper. Stick with a high-grit sandpaper and vary the amount of pressure you apply to each area for more natural-looking wear, or use sanders with different grits to change the character of each surface slightly. 
[substeps] You might also choose to go over the flat face surfaces as well, especially in smooth, glossy areas that give away the newness of the wood. Some strategic sanding alone can instantly make untouched wood look well-aged.