Filing cabinets are ugly. There’s no two ways about it. So when my husband and I found a super cheap ($15!!!!!) used filing cabinet, I knew we had to have it, and that I was destined to make it pretty!
Obviously the poor thing needed a new coat of paint, and for this we opted to use an appliance epoxy. It was definitely a messier decision than regular prime-n-spray paint, but will provide a more durable finish. If I had wanted to do a crazy color we would’ve had to go with spray paint though, since appliance epoxy only comes in neutrals.
After a couple coats of epoxy (I severely underestimated how sticky and messy that stuff was!!!), I set to work with the scrapbook paper I’d picked out for the fronts of the drawers, and a nice new bottle of Modge Podge! I carefully applied a thin layer of Modge Podge between the paper and the drawers, pressed any air bubbles out, let it dry, then applied a protective coat of Modge Podge over the front of the paper for a nice finish. Finally, I used an exacto knife to cut out where the handles were, and WAH-LAH!!!! I had a beautiful, one-of-a-kind filing cabinet!!!
What it cost me: $15 for the cabinet; $4 for scrapbook paper from Michael’s (who has coupons EVERY WEEK!!!); $4 for Modge Podge; $2 for sponge brush to apply Modge Podge; $8 for two cans of appliance epoxy = $33 for a “new” filing cabinet!!!!! Considering that these sell brand new (and boring) for about $150, I’d say that’s a deal! 🙂
DIY Crazy Daisy 