Cabinets

Alright, time for my first adventure! We actually did this a few weeks ago but it was so easy and worked so well I must share! How to get “new” cabinets for less than $100! Exciting, I know. Alright, here is my before picture. No, I hadn’t cleaned anything, and yes, I had already begun the project. I am that kind of woman that gets an idea and just goes with it!

Things you will need

·         Screwdriver or Drill – half way through taking down my cabinets I remembered I had a drill. The drill made things much easier, of course. If you don’t own a drill, no problem you will just have to put a little more effort into it. This should cost you nothing, everyone has a screwdriver. If you don’t stop what you are doing, get in your car, drive to the store, and buy one. That is a necessity to have in your home.

·         Paint for Cabinets - This is what took up the majority of my money. I don’t buy cheap paint, but that’s just me.  So paint will run you, let’s say, anywhere from $20-$50.

·         Spray paint for hardware - make sure you get the good kind that goes on metal. It is around $8 at Wal-Mart.

·         A power sander - I got mine for $20

·         Sand paper- the higher the number the less likely you are to mess things up. This cost around $2

·         Paint roller, Brush, Tray – This will cost you $20, tops.

·         Old Sheet or Drop Cloth – If you must buy one you can find one at a thrift store, dollar store, etc. for around $5

First you need to remove all your cabinet doors, and the hardware that attaches them. Make sure you have a bowl or something you can place all your hardware in, including the knobs and handles.

Once you have all the cabinet doors taken down, lay the baby down for a nap, turn on some good music, and break out that sander. I suggest doing this part outside or you will have a lot of dusting to do. Sand all the paint, if there is any, off your cabinet doors. If they are not painted you are in luck! You can just lightly sand the finish off of them.  Make sure to wipe all the dust off when you are finished and place them on the drop cloth. If you would like to sand the actual cabinets on the wall feel free to do so, I did not. I just got some of those tiny felt pads to keep the cabinet doors from hitting it and nicking the paint. So far I haven’t had any issues, but it is your call.

Now it is time to break out your paint and go to town on those cabinet doors. I suggest letting them dry overnight, or at least 12 hours. While one side of the doors are drying go ahead and put a coat on the cabinets. I only had to do 2 coats. That is the reason I buy good paint. A little bit goes a long way. You also need to spray paint your hardware, knobs, and handles. After your doors are dry on the first side flip them over and finish the other side of them. Apply another coat to your cabinets and hardware as well.

After everything has had time to dry, is streak free, and well coated, it’s time to put them back together.  Touch up any spots that need it, sit back, and enjoy! I turned my white cabinets with gold hardware into dark brown cabinets with silver hardware and it completely changed our kitchen. What color did you change yours to?