This small cabinet makeover is a great weekend project. Yes, you can rescue cheap laminate shelving and cabinets!
Ugly brown cabinet needs a makeover
I don’t even remember where I got this old brown cabinet. Someone dropped it off to me, I didn’t buy it. I call it old, but it’s not really vintage at all. It’s the run of the mill white laminate cabinet. I had one in my kitchen for years and sold it before I started doing what I love to do. I wish I still had it, because it was a little wider than this one, and I could make it look so cute!
Laminate Cabinet Makeover
The glass in the top door is missing. I know exactly what paint was used on this piece. It’s Espresso semi-gloss. Whoever painted it, actually did a pretty good job considering the slick surface of the laminate.
Use primer on small cabinet
To start the cabinet makeover, I mixed up diy chalky paint primer using plaster of paris and black paint. After a couple of quick coats, the brown exterior and the white interior were all covered up.
Attach chicken wire on doors of small cabinet
I grabbed some chicken wire I curbed several years ago and cut it to size. Then I stapled it in place with a staple gun. I don’t like how sharp the wires are, so I decided to grab some gorilla tough gorilla tape. The Gorilla Tape was placed along all four sides to cover up the ends of the wire. You could also use lathe or thin plywood to cover the sharp points of the chicken wire.
Cabinet Makeover using paint and chicken wire
Voila! Isn’t she pretty now? I used Minwax furniture wax to seal it. The chalky paint primer has to have a top coat. Sometimes I use semi-gloss paint as the topcoat, and sometimes I use wax.
I reused the the little glass knobs that were on it when I got it. I love the silver chicken wire with the black paint on this sweet cabinet makeover!
So, what kind of laminate furniture do you have that could use a rescue?
Where would you use this little gal?
gail
related content
See more easy furniture makeover ideas here
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
Patricia
Iām taking refresher courses reading some of your older posts Gail! Itās me Patricia ... your old buddy CORN! Iāve got laminate bookshelves to paint... searching for tips. Always come here first, for good resources!
Gail Wilson
Welcome back Patricia!!! I hope you find what you're looking for in the search bar. If not just Google "MyRepurposedLife" and your keyword to find just what you're looking for!
I hope all is well with you and yours!!!!
gail
Maree
Love your work Gail.
Gail Wilson
Thank you so much Maree! You are one of the many reasons I love doing what I do. I live to inspire and show others how to create It's what I was meant to do.
gail
Cheryl
You are just so talented...I do love me some chicken wire:) I envy you for your talent and inspiration. I would LOVE to redo furniture, etc. but in plan language I suck at it!!! I've tried but my end project usually looks like a first grader probably painted it!!!! Thanks for the inspiration anyway:) By the way, I still can't leave my website below...don't understand why. I type it in correctly but it just keeps asking me to put in a URL. Am I missing something???
Gail Wilson
I'm so confused by your troubles Cheryl.
If you could take a screen shot and share it with me via email, maybe I can get to the bottom of this!
Never give up! Keep trying. I'm here to help in any way I can. Please tell me what you struggle with.
gail
girlfromwva
such a nie lil cabinet!
would use it in half bath.
girlfromwva
*nice not nie
Brandi M
I was just wondering why you wouldn't cover the ends of the chicken wire with some wood trim instead of ugly tape? Just curious
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
I suppose it never occurred to me because it was such a small area. Maybe next time?
thanks for your input
gail
Mindi
I love this makeover!! So cute, loving the chicken wire!
Mary
Sweeeeetttt!
debbie
very cute Gail.. love the chicken wire added to it.
Denise
I picked up a very similar cabinet at the good will yesterday and plan to do the same thing with chicken wire....It was fun to see yours!!
Denise
gail@myrepurposedlife.net
Great Denise! I love easy makeovers. š
have fun!
gail
Pat
I DO Love my DIY chalk paint... I use p.o.p. too.
The chicken wire...is awesome!
I use it to keep chickens in the coop, out of my raised beds... and flower pots... but I wouldn't mind having some in the decor dept.
Hmmm... I should see what I come up with!
You've inspired me.
Pat
Margaret
I'm not sure where I would use this cabinet, but it certainly looks nice! I love it! Maybe a guest bathroom with towels rolled up in the bottom and pretty toiletry bottles and bars of soap in the top?
gail@myrepurposedlife.net
I think that's a great use for this little cabinet Margaret.
I should have staged it like that.... š
thanks!
gail
Laurel Stephens
I'm mad for chicken wire, and I love how it looks with your little cupboard. What a great transformation!
Bliss
I just think chicken wire makes everything better. Except maybe the little cuts you get from using it.
Bliss
Karl Micheal
I just recently found your site as a result of a pinterest search. I love the things that you do with what I have always referred to as "other peoples junk"! I have become a quick fan of your site and enjoy so much your posts. Looking forward to the next one. God bless!
gail@myrepurposedlife.net
Welcome! I hope you find some things to inspire you to repurpose some junk!
gail
Suzanne
As always a fabulous project. You make it look so easy!
Pam
So cute....I love the wire doors.
Adina Johnson
So cute and thanks for showing how you attached the chicken wire!
gail@myrepurposedlife.net
Thanks Adina
well, technically I didn't show stapling it. That is how it is attached, then the tape is there for safety reasons. š
gail
Inspire Me Heather
Super cute!! I love the black with the chicken wire and glass knobs - perfect combination!!
gail@myrepurposedlife.net
Thanks so much -- I wish I had a place to use it.... but I hope it finds a new home soon.
Maxine
Love this little girl! You did good, Gail
debbiedoos
Love it Gail, pinned too. Love chicken wire, very nice redo!
gail@myrepurposedlife.net
Thanks for pinning Debbie! I appreciate it.
gail
SuttonsDaze
Love it!
Ronda L
This looks great and I love chicken wire. This would be perfect in a bathroom for storing toilet paper, washcloths, toiletries.
Holly
It turned out great! I love the knobs and chicken wire.
cassie
perfect! i love the chicken wire- gives it more charm!
gail@myrepurposedlife.net
Thank you Cassie! I debated between chicken wire and that metal sheeting.... chicken wire won out because it was FREE!