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    Home » Home Ideas

    DIY - Old Filing Cabinet Makeover!!

    This blog generates income via ads and this post may contain affiliate links · This blog uses cookies,. For more information see our Contact, Terms and Privacy Policy.

    I have a little corner of the garage that is home to all my craft supplies- paint, brushes, screwdriver, tools, sander etc.
    I have an old desk that I use for gluing, cutting and making and some storage shelves to well...store everything. One thing I didn't have was a place to store paper, and stencils and other bits and bobs that need to be filed away.
    So I was lucky enough to get a filing cabinet for FREE. Have you ever seen how much filing cabinets go for... a lot!
     I have decided this year, that my goal is to recycle and re-use as much as I can. Do my bit to save the planet and I also love  putting the effort into an 'old' unloved treasure and creating something useful! (and looks a thousand times better too)

    Filing Cabinet Makeover!

    Old Filing Cabinet Makeover t
     
    Having a closer look at the filing cabinet, showed up some of it's past life and it's wear and tear.
    A little bit of rust, lots of scratches and that 'ugly grey' colour was fading. It had received a little touch up with some contact on the front, which gave me an idea of how to revive this old filing cabinet and bring on the 'pretty'.
    So after a good clean down, removed any grease and using lots of disinfectant, this treasure was ready for painting.
    I used 1 ½ cans of Rust-oleum white spray paint -gloss (which only cost $10.00 a can !!).
     This paint is fantastic as it has the primer and paint together, it dries fast and covers metal with little pieces of rust.
    I taped around the lock, so the spray paint didn't block the lock and so it left it silver.
     Yes, I used duct tape because for some reason...you know how it is, I had run out of painter's tape and I just wanted to start painting and not go to the hardware shop. It worked really well. I don't think it was a very sticky type of tape ...must have been a cheap version ..;-)
    Anyway, here is the treasure after one coat, and do notice that I surrounded it in an old cardboard box.  That cardboard  goes through every painting journey with me. You can tell by the different paint marks and colours!
     
    It was a gorgeous day outside, with no wind, which helped the spray paint not go everywhere, but I did wear a mask because it is a 'little stinky' and to be safe.
    ...and after the second coat!!
     
    Once the paint had dried, I brought the filing cabinet inside, and covered the drawers with contact. The contact was only $4.00 and I only used ¾ of the roll. BARGAIN!! So far, all this has cost me is $24.00 !! (Big smile from me!!)
    The best part about using the contact with spots, was that it was easy to line up along the top of the drawers and that meant, each drawer looked like it followed on...and they weren't wonky!!!
     
    I will be honest and say that all I needed was my thumb nail to slice along the edge of the handles...you probably would use a Stanley knife!!
     
     
     
    Filing Cabinet
    Drawer one done and on to the others. This little treasure is turning into one fine beauty!!
    Viola!!! My old filing cabinet has been transformed and has found a new home next to my desk, in the little corner of the garage.
    Ohhhh! They do look good together!!
    Old Filing Cabinet Makeover t
     
     
    I have organised all the 'bits' to go in the cabinet and it is so handy - everything right in arms reach.
    Yeah !!! Got to love that!!
    🙂
     
    Sharing at The Dedicated House!
     
     
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Andrea @ This Pug Life

      October 06, 2014 at 3:21 am

      It looks really nice and seems simple enough. I'll have to remember this the next time there is a going out of business sale and they're getting rid of office equipment!

      Reply
      • admin

        October 06, 2014 at 6:08 am

        Thanks Andrea!! 🙂 yes, it wasn't hard but so worth it! Thanks for stopping by !!

        Reply
    2. Shelley

      October 06, 2014 at 1:44 pm

      I like your file cabinet make over, and your writing style, and the way your blog looks. I sound like I'm 7 years old but it's true. I want to try this.

      Reply
    3. Christie Selken

      October 07, 2014 at 12:13 pm

      The filing cabinet looks great! I like the use of contact paper to dress up the front. I have a filing cabinet of my own that needs a new look, so I just might give this a try!

      Reply
    4. Emily, Our house now a home

      October 10, 2014 at 1:12 am

      I love the color! This was such a great idea. Thank you for linking up at Pin worthy Wednesday!

      Reply
    5. Isabelle Thornton

      October 13, 2014 at 5:21 am

      I love this. Super cute! Way better. Hope you come back tomorrow for the party!
      Xo
      Isabelle
      http://www.lechateaudesfleurs.com

      Reply
    6. Aspen Jay

      October 17, 2014 at 5:24 pm

      It turned out so cute and chic! I want to buy a filing cabinet just so I can do this! For now, I'll be pinning it. 🙂

      Reply
    7. Cherie Froelich

      October 17, 2014 at 6:43 pm

      That turned out absolutely adorable! Looks great!

      Reply
    8. Suzanne Moore

      October 18, 2014 at 11:59 am

      Wow! I never would have thought of contact paper, thanks for the wonderful idea! I have a drab file cabinet in my home office and can't wait to give it some "sparkle"! So happy to find your blog this morning! Blessings, Suzanne

      Reply
    9. Christy @ 11 Magnolia Lane

      October 19, 2014 at 6:04 pm

      It looks great--and that Rustoleum spray paint is my favorite! Thanks for linking up at the Pretty Preppy Party!

      Reply
    10. Kathryn Ferguson Griffin

      October 29, 2014 at 4:50 pm

      So happy and pretty now! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the features today at The Round-Up from the Before and After Wednesday party at The Dedicated House! Here is the link so you can check out your feature. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2014/10/the-round-up-from-before-after-wednesday_29.html Hope to see you tonight at the Before & After bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

      Reply
    11. Kyla @HouseOfHipsters

      March 05, 2015 at 10:35 pm

      This turned out soooo good! Thanks so much for sharing on Found & Foraged.

      Reply
    12. Cami

      October 19, 2015 at 11:31 pm

      Much improved!

      Reply
    13. Cyndee

      March 11, 2016 at 2:48 am

      This is awesome. Love the color. It made a big difference! I have a couple of these that I would like to do....someday!

      Reply

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