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The $20 File Cabinet Makeover

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$20 File Cabinet Makeover

By the time you’re reading this, I am in junk bonanza heaven at the Country Living Fair in Atlanta. And while it is almost a guarantee that I will find some great “junk” there it’s sometimes the surprising places that best junk comes from. Like that one junk store, in my one caution light town, that really has more junk than anything else. But that’s exactly where this $20 File Cabinet Makeover came from!

$20 File Cabinet MakeoverIt’s a shame really that you couldn’t see this one in person. In the picture. It doesn’t look so bad and the blah paint color (from a previous attempt at spray painting in a flat finish) doesn’t really stand out so much from the after.

$20 File Cabinet Makeover

You can see all the spills, scratches, rust and leftover stickers.

$20 File Cabinet Makeover

You can’t see all the chipping paint, likely because all the grease from all those hands left behind on these handles wasn’t properly cleaned prior to painting.

$20 File Cabinet Makeover

You can’t tell what a hard time I had figuring out why the bottom drawer wouldn’t close properly. And then I found this cruise book with an invoice for a European vacation. And then it was just like the cabinet was mocking me.

Sure, maybe I am ugly now. But my previous owners have been to Europe and you haven’t!

$20 File Cabinet Makeover

Shut it.

No. I mean really. I don’t want to talk about how long it took me to figure out why I couldn’t have two drawers open at the same time while painting.

I. Don’t. Want. To. Talk. About. It.

$20 File Cabinet Makeover

So after a light sanding and, ahem, I closed the drawers. I was sure to clean every surface thoroughly with a degreaser. I use white vinegar. And was time to shut this cabinet up once and for all. And show it who’s boss. Even if she hasn’t been to Europe. Yet.

$20 File Cabinet Makeover

So, if you’re hesitant about using a sprayer….why? If you can use a spray paint can, you can use a sprayer. Only a sprayer is easier. This isn’t my first time using my HomeRight Finish Max sprayer. In fact, I’ve used it way more than I’ve blogged about it. {One of these days you guys might get to see out new fence and chicken coop!}

It’s also not my first time using HomeRight’s amazing selection of products. Remember that time I painted practically the whole house in one weekend.

I don’t always use a paint sprayer but when I do, I use my Finish Max Pro. And all I had to do in this case was mix in a tad of water (see instructions for consistency) with the leftover paint from the office and I was ready to go.

$20 File Cabinet Makeover

Done in a day!

$20 File Cabinet Makeover

And it’s not even these golden handles that I love the most.

$20 File Cabinet Makeover

Even though they’re pretty enough to deserve two photos…

$20 File Cabinet Makeover

Nope. It’s this.

I don’t know why the lift up door and slide out drawer amazes me so much. It’s probably because I am totally going to drill a hole in the side of the cabinet and run the printer cord through there. Then, I can have the printer out of sight and just slide it out when I need it. Plus, it’s wireless. So just one less cord to deal with.

$20 File Cabinet Makeover

And now I know, just one drawer open at a time, Jamie.

$20 File Cabinet Makeover

That’s no big deal.

This cabinet makes us look like we’re more important than we really are. We’ll probably never even get to the second drawer anyway. But, if we ever do…..

Other Posts in this Series:

  • IKEA Hack Office Makeover – The Reveal

  • Part 1 Building in Billy

  • Part 2 Building in Billy

  • Part 3 Remote Control Lights & New Outlets

  • Part 4 Shop the Look – COMING SOON

  • Giant Framed Postcard – COMING SOON

  • Affordable Library Lighting

  • Office Ceiling Light Fixture

  • $20 File Cabinet Makeover

  • Turning a Photo in a Giant Watercolor Wallprint

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Filed Under: Furniture Makeovers, Southern Revivals 6 Comments

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Comments

  1. Karla @SmallTownRambler says

    at

    I absolutely love how this turned out! The gold handles really stand out. You had me cracking up about the magazine and the Europe vacation though. How rude of them…lol. I’m jealous of the former owners and their fabulous trip!

    Reply
    • jamie says

      at

      Clearly I’m jealous of the former owners, too! 😉 Thanks Karla!

      Reply
  2. Jenn celiberti says

    at

    How did u get the handles gold? Paint? If so, what type? Looks great

    Reply
    • jamie says

      at

      Hi Jenn, I used Rustoleum Metallic in gold. Thank you!

      Reply
  3. Carrie says

    at

    Can you please explain how you painted the drawer handles? (Before you painted the cabinet?, did you put tape around the drawer so as not to paint the cabinet gold or did these pieces come off the cabinet so it could be painted separately? Thanks! 😊

    Reply
    • jamie says

      at

      Hi Carrie,
      I did tape around the drawers to paint the handles and then covered them to paint the remainder of the cabinet as they are not removable. Thank you!

      Reply

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