Thursday, February 5, 2015

Dress Up A Plain Cabinet!

I needed a new cabinet for the kitchen and found one on Craigslist. It wasn't really what I wanted and it wasn't real wood... just pressboard with a plastic covering that looks like wood. Not what I wanted, but it filled a need for a time, so I bought it. Rather than keep it the way it was, I wanted to dress it up a bit.... and the little job I did made it so much more appealing.  :)


I have done this before, on bookshelves or a hutch... this time it was a really fast job just to get it done and back in use.
 Just choose some fabric... I like to use calico fabric.  I have also used wall paper instead and that works too. I like using fabric though because there are so many patterns to choose from and I already have a stash of it here, meaning I don't have to pay anything extra to do the job. :)

You can see that my hurried job, has a couple of wrinkles in it, but they were not at all visible when we were using the cabinet.
 Just cut the fabric to size... I cut it a couple of inches larger than needed so that I don't run short.  Fold one edge over...at the top (ironing it making it easier)... and using a hot glue gun, run a bead of glue along the top of the section.... only a few inches at a time,  and lay the fabric on it. It will be hot, so be careful. After the top is done, start down the sides. This is where it is a good thing to have those extra inches... because if you were off a bit on the top, it will really show up at the bottom... on the sides.  Continue all around until all sides are glued.  If desired, you can also glue lace to the front of the shelves for an old-time look.  I have a wood (real wood! :) hutch that I bought at a garage sale many years ago... maybe 15 or more.... and I glued fabric in the back of it and put lace on the front of the shelves... it still looks nice and I plan to keep it.

Anyway, this is an easy way to make a plain cabinet ... or bookcase... or hutch... special. It can match your decor.... or contrast with it... or whatever you want. It can become a conversation item and be stunning... or it can just pretty up your home a bit. It isn't a big job, but it really looks nice... especially when dishes are displayed in it.... sorry I don't have a picture of that. These actually are the pictures I used to sell this cabinet on Craigslist... it served its purpose, but it was time to move it out and change things again. We still haven't figured out WHAT we are going to use in place of it, so we still have to hunt in the totes in the garage for the cookbook we need... or the utensil. :)

We recently had new windows put in and the windows you see here have been made smaller now.... the bottom of them was raised several inches. I need more countertop space in here, but didn't want to have something over these low windows, so we raised the windows to a height that will allow a countertop cabinet to be right under them.....  now we are thinking of options... and waiting for the Lord to provide something on Craigslist. We'll see. :)

The fabric in the back of the cabinet really helped with making this cabinet more homey and beautiful while we used it. Maybe it's an idea you have used... or will someday. I'm sure I will be using it again... probably many times. :)  Thank you for visiting... I hope you have a wonderful week.



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Dishing It and Digging It
Scraptastic Saturdays
Vintage Charm
Home and Garden Thursday
Thursday Favorite Things
Share Your Cup Thursday
Penny Pinching Party
Wednesday AIM Link Party
Wise Woman Link Up
Tuesdays w/ a Twist
Inspire Me Tuesday
Tuesdays at Our Home
Art of Homemaking Monday
Modest Mom Monday

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42 comments:

  1. The cabinet seems to fit perfectly in your kitchen. I like the idea of adding fabric or wall paper to the backboard. Really makes it feel more personal.

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    1. It does...and gives it a country look also. :) Thank you for visiting.

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  2. The fabric does make it look more homey doesn't it. I especially love calico fabrics.

    Thanks so much for sharing and linking it up to the #SHINEbloghop.

    Wishing you a lovely day.
    xoxo

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    1. It does... not the sterile look of some furniture... calico fabrics can be quite useful. :) Thank you for visiting..... and for the link up party. :)

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  3. it's a beautiful cabinet and a great idea. i decorate the inside of anything i can.....i just recently prettied up the inside of my kitchen cabinets and it always makes me smile when i open them up!!!!

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    1. Oh... I haven't done the kitchen cabinets... what a great idea! :) I know I don't have time to do that, but it is fun to think of yours... and you smiling when you use them... I understand that...those little things can mean so much. :) Thank you for visiting.

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  4. It turned out wonderfully. Such a simple little change and yet so beautiful.

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  5. Great idea! And not too hard too accomplish, either. Maybe, when I find the right cabinet, I'll give it a try. :)

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    1. It really does dress it up... and isn't too hard. I have done it on several items... and I love the softer, homier look. :)

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  6. Nice makeover! The dresser looks very serviceable and is a lot nicer to look at!
    Best wishes
    Chrisitne

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    1. Thank you... it is amazing what just a little change can do. :)

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  7. Replies
    1. Thank you... I do also... calico prints can be useful for lots of purposes..... and they are fun. :)

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  8. Love this! Little projects can make such a big difference in a room!

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    1. You're right - they sure can! Just one item being spruced up can give me incentive to keep doing more of the same. :)

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  9. What a wonderful idea! I have a cabinet that looks a little "drab" - I just might have to dress it up :) Thanks for sharing, my dear. Hugs!

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    1. It really is an easy way to make a plain.. or "drab" cabinet... special. :) I hope you get the chance to do that with yours also.

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  10. Looks like a super easy project, and it does dress up the hutch quite a bit.

    Thank you for tossing your hat into the ring at the Party Under The Big Top! We hope to see you again next week! #BigTopBlogParty

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    1. It really is quite easy... and it works well. Thank you for visiting. :)

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  11. That is a beautiful hutch...I love the added fabric. Simple touch to make a nice statement! :)

    Thanks for sharing on Tuesday Talk!
    Katie

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    1. Thank you... it sure helped me to enjoy using it more. :) Thank you for visiting.

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  12. Hi Gentle Joy,

    The fabric definitely makes it look more homey! I really love how easy it is to do. I have been on a shelf paper kick and have found so many fabulous uses for it and there are sooo many patterns to choose from as well. The fabric idea however would not cost me anything either as my Mom has what we kids call "The Wall of Fabric" in which all three of us visit for the majority of our sewing, crafting, and decorating projects!

    Thank you for joining us by linking up to Party Under the Big Top! Hope to see you again next time!

    Wishing you a fabulous week!

    Much love,

    Lysa xx
    Welcome to My Circus
    #BigTopBlogParty

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    1. The shelf paper sounds like a good idea for projects... hmmmm. :) The wall of fabric sounds great as a "store" to shop in.....at a very good price!!! Thank you for visiting. :)

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  13. What a great idea, and what a wonderful way to make something old look new again. You wouldn't know that it wasn't solid timber by the photograph. Thank again for sharing with us at Good Morning Mondays. It is always a blessing when you stop by. Blessings

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    1. Thank you... I was really sad not to get a real wood cabinet, so this was a bit of a consolation for me... and I sure enjoyed it. :) Thank you for visiting and for the sweet comment.

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  14. What a sweet makeover! I would never have thought of adding fabric like that but it does add a sweet touch! You are so very creative! Thanks for sharing this idea on the Art of Home-Making Mondays! :)

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    1. Thank you... my husband likes this type of look also, but our sons tend to laugh and tease about the "pretty fabric".... it is one of those areas of teasing that makes me think they also like that I do it, but feel it isn't manly to say so. :) Thank you for visiting... and for the great link up party.

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  15. Beautiful hutch and wonderful project! Love the new look!!! Thank you so much for sharing your style over at our first Share Your Style link party! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
    XO Barbara

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    1. Thank you... I enjoyed how it made the cabinet more attractive for our home. :) Thank you for the new link up party... I sure appreciate all of the work you are going to, to host it.

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  16. I just love hutches, and the fabric that you've added really adds a special touch to this one! I'm sure it'll be a wonderful addition to your home!

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    1. I did really like how that fabric changed the hutch to something extra special. :) We have enjoyed using it. Thank you for visiting.

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  17. Great idea. I never thought of fabric. I have painted.... thanks for the inspiration

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    1. You're welcome... I needed something easy... that could be changed...that was fast and cheap... and this idea suited the purpose... and I love that it worked so well. I have used this fabric for the back of a cabinet more than once... and have loved the results. :)

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  18. Love how simple and easy this project would be. Looks great !

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    1. Thank you... it is nice that the back can quickly be changed and make the cabinet look so much different! I have used this technique more than once and have loved the results. :)

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  19. the fabric is a beautiful addition! I have a cabinet in my entry that I've thought about doing this with wall paper. I change it for every holiday, so I just am not sure if it would work. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. If you change it often, that would be a challenge... I leave it that way, so it works for me, but it may not for you. :) I have used wallpaper for it also.

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  20. How lovely! I did something similar with some toile shelf paper I found at the thrift store. I love the fabric you used! Thanks for sharing @ Vintage Charm!

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    1. There are various ways to do this and your shelf paper sounds like a good idea. I loved the fabric's design which allowed it to fit in with different decor. :) Thank you for visiting.

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