To give something new an old or rather antique feeling is basically called “distressing”. Distress can be easily added to give any item the vintage look. One of the best and easiest things to deal with in the house is the kitchen cabinets. They can add a little dash to your kitchen and without having to change anything tangible, give it a warm touch. So here is everything you need to know about how to make distressed kitchen cabinets.
A few things to gather to get started with kitchen cabinets:
- Any paint of your choice.
- A fork.
- A pen.
- A set of keys.
- Chains.
- Medium crackling.
How to suffer the kitchen cabinets
1. The first step to getting distressed kitchen cabinets is to remove the necessary cabinetry. This can be easily done with regular screwdrivers. Once you’ve got them, make sure you keep the screws securely so they don’t get lost and then instead of a distressed cabinet you’ll have a sad one! (Note – it’s a good idea to remove all the doors at once rather than one at a time.)
2. Next with the help of sandpaper gently remove the upper finish of the cabinet. It shouldn’t be difficult to get the finish with medium grade sandpaper. However, a note of caution here, if you rub too much it can cause damage to the surface. So make sure you do it slowly and steadily so that the job is done without causing any damage. All do not use a sander when sanding the cabinets.
3. Here is when the set of keys come in handy. Choose two or three and with them make lines around the surface of the cabinet. Again these need to be done very slowly otherwise instead of getting the vintage look, you’ll just end up with an old cabinet. Make lines at random and with different size keys to give a natural feel for your distressed kitchen cabinets.
4. An ice pick is the next thing to use. This will help you make small holes on the surface. Chains are also to be used for similar effects. Chain will create nicks here and there. These holes and markings should be clearly visible only up close. Only the overview should be clear from a distance.
5. After the general look has been roughly created, get cracking with the crackling medium. Open it and place it around the surface of the cabinet. Do not apply too much so that it starts to drip. Apply enough to cover the entire face. It is better to use a brush for applying the same. Also small strokes should be employed. After that leave it on for about two or three minutes before removing it. Now you will be able to see lines on the surface of the cabinet. This is a sure shot way to give your kitchen cabinets a rugged look with use.
6. Finally, to maintain this finish use either paint or stain. All you have to do is sprinkle the chemicals on your newly made distressed cabinet. This will ensure the longevity of your effort and turn your dull cabinet into a warm, vintage property.
7. Now all you have to do is put the cabinets safely back in place. Using the same screwdriver, screw the cabinets back to enjoy the visual effect of distressed kitchen cabinets. Only check the doors after fitting them for safety.
Distressed kitchen cabinets are not only very simple but also redoable. In case something goes wrong or in the end you are not happy with it, it is always possible to do it again. Something called “wood putty” will come in handy at this point. Fill all the holes you made with wood putty and once that’s done you can start from scratch (literally!).
So the next time you think your kitchen needs redoing but you don’t have the cash, this is what you should do!
