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February 19, 2013

$5 File Cabinet Makeover

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One of my “loose goals” for 2013 was to buy a real file cabinet and finally take control of paperwork in our house. Why is it that it is sooo easy for paperwork to get out of hand? My command center has helped a bit, though only in my kitchen and only with recent paperwork. The rest of it is still a mess.  My current “file cabinet” is too small and stuff comes busting out of it and then never makes it back in. Exhibit A:

file cabinet makeover

There is also an exhibit B, C, D & E, but I’ll spare you.

So the kids and I were perusing the local thrift store when we stumbled across a literal PILE of file cabinets for $5 each. We of course had to touch them all to find the best one, turns out they all had jammed drawers besides this little black one…

Black Filing Cabinet

When I was checking out the cashier gushed about how pretty the floral handle’s were, to which I replied with something like “oh yeah, they’re definitely…unique.” I didn’t have the heart to tell her I was going to chuck them and give the whole thing a makeover.  Perhaps this means I should be suspicious whenever I get a comment telling me my most recent project is “unique”.  Hmmmm…

Moving on.

So the first step was- surprise surprise- to prime and paint.

how to paint a metal filing cabinet

My plan to jazz up the drawer fronts was simple…I was just going to Mod Podge a piece of scrapbook paper to the front and call it a day. But then, it didn’t quite fit….which was weird because I had eyeballed it in the store.

Decorating a file cabinet

I wasn’t really bursting with ideas on what to do instead, so I took a few days off from my file cabinet makeover. Then one day my friend Kelly over at View Along the Way posted this herringbone artwork she made…

DIY_Herringbone_Art_Project

 ….and I knew just what to do to my drawer fronts.

So I added a dark yellow piece of scrapbook paper to the designed ones I already had and cut them all into rectangles.

mod podge furniture makeover

To start, I skipped all the math and it’s associated horrors and just slapped a piece on there.

file cabinet DIY

And then I mod podged. And modge podged. And then I mod podged some more, until I had this…

Scrapbook paper tiles

I had found some pretty glass handles at Hobby Lobby for 50% off, so I went to attach them…except that they didn’t fit. Perhaps I’m just naive, but I assumed that all cabinet/furniture handles would be the same size. I was obviously wrong, but in my head that would  just makes sense.

change out filing cabinet hardware

Not a problem though, I just drilled a hole in the correct location and mod podged new rectangles right over the old holey ones. And here you have it…not bad for $15 total!

filing cabinet upcycle

Adam offered to put a wood top on it for me and I think that would make it look way better, but honestly I’m just going to stuff it my craft closet and it’s likely that the top will never see the light of day again. (You know, cause it will get covered with stuff…cause I’m messy. You get it.)

paper tiles - file cabinet makeover

That’s not the end though, no no…I still had to actually file everything. Try as I may I couldn’t procrastinate any longer.

mess

I went through all my piles and in the process I discovered a little something about myself. I discovered that sometimes I’m really organized. I had every single electric bill, water bill, phone bill, and internet bill that we have received since we moved into our house. All of them, neatly filed away and organized. I was impressed with myself. That being said, I have no idea why I would need those (it’s all online), so I chucked ’em. I also discovered that sometimes I am really NOT organized. So I found all my bills…woohoo. But Levis birth certificate? THAT is absolutely nowhere to be found. It’s gone. I think I may have mailed it off to an insurance company or something instead of a copy…that or it got left in the copier. I know, bad bad bad. So now I have to get a certified copy and make sure his identity hasn’t been stolen or something terrible.

I’ve depressed you….now you can’t stop thinking about poor little Levi having his identity stolen. It’ll be alright, I promise. How about I cheer you up with a little before and after shot?

file cabinet  makeover using paint, scrapbook paper, and mod podge

Design

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Filed Under: Decor & Crafts, Furniture, Projects, Upcycling80 Comments

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Comments

  1. Kara says

    February 19, 2013 at 9:15 pm

    Wow, hard to believe that is the same file cabinet! You did an awesome job and I just love how it turned out!

    Reply
  2. Kelly @ View Along the Way says

    February 19, 2013 at 9:25 pm

    What?! This is AMAZING. I love how you reference my DIY project as inspiration, then proceed to blow it away with something a hundred times cooler. PS: Are you SURE about those floral handles? ;)

    (Thanks for the link my friend!)

    Reply
  3. Shannon @Fox Hollow Cottage says

    February 19, 2013 at 9:26 pm

    HOLY CRUD that is cute girl!! I don’t know how you had the patience to put all those little pieces on there!? I could never do that. But it’s stinking cute now :)

    Reply
  4. Ninada says

    February 19, 2013 at 9:43 pm

    Seriously, where do you get that much of time with those two adorable sons?? :) and the patience to glue each piece! wow :) The file cabinet looks so wonderful.

    Reply
  5. My Little Home and Garden says

    February 19, 2013 at 9:57 pm

    Isn’t that a big step up for the filing cabinet. It looks great; I love the yellow!

    Reply
  6. jamie lynn says

    February 19, 2013 at 10:51 pm

    awesome job, i love how it turned out. and those knobs look so great on it!! your transformation makes it not even look like a file cabinet.

    Reply
  7. Crystal says

    February 19, 2013 at 11:15 pm

    That is super cute!!! I love it!!

    Reply
  8. Jodi Blackmon says

    February 19, 2013 at 11:25 pm

    That is the cutest thing I have seen in a long time girl! Love.

    Reply
  9. Kathryn Cain says

    February 20, 2013 at 12:05 am

    love it and a sunny happy Yellow….and the Birth C. may still show up…

    Reply
  10. Dee says

    February 20, 2013 at 12:12 am

    Am I the only one who didn’t notice any of the clutter in that first photo? I was too busy checking out the design on your trash can & cute little floral dohickeys on your desk drawers. Hey – maybe the birth cert is in one of those drawers? ~ Dee

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      February 20, 2013 at 4:13 pm

      Haha, I’m sure your the only one who didn’t see the clutter. If you only notice pretty things and don’t see messes than you should come over…you might actually be impressed! I have scoured the house, drawers, cars, purse pockets, photo boxes…I’m pretty sure that birth certificate is lomg gone. Blah.

      Reply
  11. Yvonne says

    February 20, 2013 at 2:42 am

    Herringbone is the pattern of the moment for me too. I actually posted about a herringbone console table top I built during the President’s Day weekend just yesterday. :) There’s something about the geometric staggering and complex consistency that makes it such a great pattern. I love how you found a way to make your vision work for both the use of paper and the handles. =D

    Reply
  12. Dee says

    February 20, 2013 at 6:34 am

    That looks great! That herringbone must have taken quite some time.

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      February 20, 2013 at 3:33 pm

      Yes it did…way longer than I anticipated. Next time I will be using bigger pieces of paper!

      Reply
  13. Suzan says

    February 20, 2013 at 6:51 am

    I love the yellow! I think we all need a way to make the dreaded task of filing a little more cheerful. :)
    Filing is actually on my to do list today. yuk

    Reply
  14. Jenny Lynn says

    February 20, 2013 at 8:12 am

    It looks so amazing now. Filing would actually be a pleasure if filing cabinet looked as good.

    Reply
  15. Alisha says

    February 20, 2013 at 9:28 am

    Beautiful! I can see these in offices all across America!

    Reply
  16. Stephanie says

    February 20, 2013 at 9:29 am

    That looks amazing!! I love a measurement free project :)

    Reply
  17. Kristin @ Little Corbin Hill says

    February 20, 2013 at 9:54 am

    Adorable!!!! Yet functional too =)

    Reply
  18. Martha says

    February 20, 2013 at 9:59 am

    Seriously AMAZING!!!! Great job!

    Reply
  19. Heidi from the Never Rush Ranch says

    February 20, 2013 at 11:12 am

    Turned out great Ashley!

    Reply
  20. Virginia @ LiveLoveDIY says

    February 20, 2013 at 11:34 am

    So, guess what post I was working on today?? My file cabinet makeover that I picked up as roadkill last week. LOL. I’ll wait til next week to post it. (well, real talk….I won’t be done writing it til next week anyways. You saw all the posts I promised in my kitchen post. Sigh.) :) Anyways, Great minds, sista! Also, it looks amazing. Ours are complete opposites, so I think we’re good. <3 ~V

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      February 20, 2013 at 3:25 pm

      Haha, I thought I was the only blogger who promised posts before I had them written… or the project even finished. I promise a post and then finally come out with it like three weeks later, lol. I can’t wait to see your (totally opposite) file cabinet!

      Reply
  21. Lois says

    February 20, 2013 at 1:53 pm

    Are you sure you want to keep that hidden in your closet? It turned out so cute, it’s a shame it will only store the paper pieces of your life.

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      February 20, 2013 at 3:20 pm

      I know, it is a shame. Though the closet doesn’t have any doors and I plan to turn it into and “cloffice”, so you actually will be able to see it.

      Reply
  22. Ellie says

    February 20, 2013 at 2:49 pm

    I really like that Ashley. That idea would look great on dresser drawer fronts too and is an easy project, but knowing me I would over-think it (again) and take me forever to get done! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      February 20, 2013 at 3:19 pm

      I was thinking the same thing while I was doing this…you could use this technique on anything, with any color and pattern. So many possibilities! Though next time I’m going to use bigger pieces of paper!

      Reply
  23. Amanda Manke says

    February 20, 2013 at 4:23 pm

    You just made my day, out paperwork looks about the same! Of course, since you fixed your pile of paperwork now I feel like I need to fix mine! Thanks for the inspiration ( :

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      February 22, 2013 at 2:48 pm

      Your welcome :) I’m not totally organized yet though…I have a giant, horrible, terrifying pile of blog paperwork that I need to turn into an organized tax form. BLECK!

      Reply
  24. Anonymous says

    February 20, 2013 at 10:36 pm

    Hi Ashley! I found your blog after looking for some penny floor info (AFTER) my mom pennied her floor. I love your DIY/thrifty home projects. Super awesome!

    …..as for the knobs…. that sort of thing happens to me from time-to-time and I’ll just say, “Awesome! Do you want these knobs? I’ll be switching them anyway…..” Often this results in the giftee feeling inspired to do their own project as well

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      February 22, 2013 at 2:32 pm

      I know, after I got home I felt like a jerk for not offering them to her…I don’t know why I didn’t think of it when I was checking out. I’m going to blame it on my kids, they must have been distracting me and throwing me off my game, haha.

      Your mom pennied her floor?! How did it turn out? Did you run into a ton of problems or was it a breeze?

      Reply
  25. Jeannette E Spaghetti says

    February 20, 2013 at 10:38 pm

    I left that last comment. Totally hit enter before I edited and proofed. Oh well, you get my drift. (:

    Reply
  26. Donna Woods says

    February 21, 2013 at 4:35 am

    WOW!!!! This turned out wonderul!! I am on vacation and have deleted most blogs from my inbox – but this one was calling my name – so glad it did. YOU are so talented!

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      February 22, 2013 at 2:27 pm

      Thanks Donna! Enjoy your vacation… I’m not jealous at all ;)

      Reply
  27. stephanie says

    February 21, 2013 at 9:08 am

    I seriously laughed out loud about the scrapbook paper not fitting. Eyeballing? Yeah, it drives my husband crazy! haha. I am trying to remember a tape measure in my purse every time I go to the home store or craft store to make him proud. Looks good, and as always, thanks for sharing REAL life.

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      February 22, 2013 at 2:26 pm

      Haha, I drive Adam crazy with that kinda stuff too…he’s always saying “would you quit being so ghetto and just measure already?”.

      Reply
  28. Y says

    February 22, 2013 at 12:17 pm

    I love this! I’ve featured it on BlogHer’s facebook page. :)

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      February 22, 2013 at 2:15 pm

      Oh wow, thank you!

      Reply
  29. [email protected] says

    February 22, 2013 at 12:24 pm

    This is adorable! I still can’t get over how expensive new (and UGLY) filing cabinets are. We got one for five bucks at Goodwill a year or two again…maybe I’ll be inspired now to jazz it up a bit with mod podge. :)

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      February 22, 2013 at 2:05 pm

      Seriously, they are crazy expensive! Even used on criagslist they were usually about $50.

      Reply
  30. Jan Elizabeth says

    February 23, 2013 at 2:49 am

    You did a great job on this. I have one that’s fake wood – now more than ever I’m thinking it’s in need of a little TLC! Alas, it will have to get in line…

    Cheers! J.E.

    Reply
  31. Madhu says

    February 28, 2013 at 2:56 am

    YOU ARE SO TALENTED!!! Yes Im shouting it out :)

    Reply
  32. Debbie reFresh says

    March 3, 2013 at 8:51 pm

    I won’t leave another file cabinet behind! I’m inspired to get one now!
    Debbie

    Reply
  33. [email protected] says

    March 4, 2013 at 12:55 pm

    This is so cute. My ugly file cabinet is looking at me right now and needs a new look. I love the yellow.

    Reply
  34. daisy says

    March 5, 2013 at 7:17 am

    What a craft chick you are! It looks so much better. Great idea to make it a mosaic.

    Reply
  35. Little Bit says

    March 5, 2013 at 8:02 am

    Amazing transformation! I’m pinning this inspiring re-do too. Little Bit

    Reply
  36. Kristina says

    March 5, 2013 at 1:55 pm

    OH My. This is great. I just bought a filing cabinet and paint a couple weeks ago…and was going to paint it all one color…but now you have me thinking with the scrapbook paper! It’s soooo cute. I would love it if you would share this at Tell Me Tuesdays Today. http://mothersniche.com/free-printablelinkparty/

    Reply
  37. KC @ The Real Thing with the Coake Family says

    March 5, 2013 at 7:37 pm

    What a great job on the file cabinet! It looks great. Maybe you will find the birth certificate in another set of papers….you never know.
    KC

    Reply
  38. Leslie says

    March 6, 2013 at 7:54 am

    Love what you did to the file cabinet. thank you for sharing. Yellow is so pretty and cheery.
    Leslie

    Reply
  39. Leslie K says

    March 6, 2013 at 1:37 pm

    This is awesome! I’m going to look for an old file cabinet so I can do something similar. Thanks so much for sharing :)

    Reply
  40. Lauren @ The Thinking Closet says

    March 6, 2013 at 4:28 pm

    I’ve seen and pinned a lot of file cabinet makeovers…but yours might be my favorite! We have the file cabinet already…and its already white…so what am I waiting for? Thanks for the tutorial!

    Reply
  41. Mandy @ Sugar Bee Crafts says

    March 6, 2013 at 5:59 pm

    Thanks for linking to Take-A-Look Tuesday over at Sugar Bee Crafts – you were featured today!!
    –Mandy, http://www.SugarBeeCrafts.com

    Reply
  42. Michele says

    March 7, 2013 at 10:50 pm

    Ohhh lala i love it!!! The drawer pulls are sweet:) Pinned!
    http://www.sewsweetvintage.com/2013/03/brilliant-2013.html

    Reply
  43. Kate Craig says

    March 8, 2013 at 10:13 pm

    This is awesome! I saw your feature on Sugar Bee and I would have never known from that close up picture that this was a file cabinet. Or that it was just scrapbook paper! I can’t believe you did it without the math, I about gasped outloud when you said you just slapped a piece on there :)

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 8, 2013 at 11:27 pm

      Haha, thanks Kate! Numbers aren’t really my thing so it would have taken me a week to figure that out mathematically. My husband calls me a “ghetto” DIYer, but I prefer to call myself “spontaneous” DIYer, lol.

      Reply
  44. DesignedByBH says

    March 8, 2013 at 11:39 pm

    I love that you didn’t use math. I typically don’t either. I know things I do could be more exact, but I never really did like math…however, I love the filing cabinet! (Note to self: find and file my car title…)

    Reply
  45. BeColorful says

    March 10, 2013 at 5:20 pm

    I don’t know about you, but I, for one, am really happy the scrapbook paper was too small. How cool is this look? Very! love it . Thanks for sharing.
    p

    Reply
  46. BeColorful says

    March 10, 2013 at 8:38 pm

    just had to feature it. :D Thanks for partying.
    p

    Reply
  47. Suzan says

    March 10, 2013 at 9:04 pm

    What a fantastic makeover – LOVE the herringbone pattern – AND the color your chose –
    The handles add some bling – just beautiful!
    Visiting from Under the table and dreaming,
    Hugs,
    Suzan

    Reply
  48. Christine says

    March 11, 2013 at 9:54 am

    FABULOUS!!! Love the ”tile” effect!!

    Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality! I can’t wait to see what you link up tomorrow evening!

    Reply
  49. Shauna @Satori Design for Living says

    March 11, 2013 at 10:59 am

    Making over my filing cabinet has been on my to-do list for a long, long time. You have definitely given me the kick in the pants that I needed. Love it!

    Reply
  50. Judy says

    March 12, 2013 at 3:57 pm

    This really came out great. I will be featuring it tonight at my Winter Blues Wednesday party that opens at 8pm EST. Please stop by and pick up an I’ve Been Featured button. Thanks.

    Reply
  51. Mindi says

    March 12, 2013 at 9:47 pm

    This looks awesome! I love how you just slapped one on and started! I hate measuring if I don’t have too!

    Reply
  52. Nancy says

    March 13, 2013 at 9:44 am

    Oh my, your patience is rewarded! What a marvelous creation from something that most people passed up….It is terrific.
    Now you will be inspired to be organized……
    Nancy

    Reply
  53. Gabbi @ Retro Ranch Reno says

    March 15, 2013 at 8:26 am

    Gotta love a good file cabinet makeover! They are usually so darn ugly, and now yours is beautiful! I made a file cabinet over too…and in yellow! Great minds think alike! ;)

    http://retroranchrenovation.blogspot.com/2012/08/friggin-file-cabinet_9.html

    Reply
  54. Maggie says

    March 18, 2013 at 6:31 pm

    That turned out great! What patience you have :)

    Reply
  55. Amy says

    March 19, 2013 at 6:07 pm

    The filing cabinet looks great! I have to say-I don’t know if I would have the patience to apply all those little pieces of paper-but it was worth it. The cabinet looks fabulous.

    Reply
  56. Miranda says

    March 22, 2013 at 1:01 pm

    You craft like me! Eye ball it and when it doesn’t work just figure something else out. :) It looks lovely!

    Reply
  57. Jessie says

    April 7, 2013 at 6:24 am

    Hi there!
    I checked this out and the comments to see if someone else asked… But did u use something to space them out? And I have never modge podge’d before (yes, I know. The horror). But are those white areas (the spaces) white because of the modge podge?

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      April 9, 2013 at 7:16 am

      Hey, you have to start somewhere :) The mod podge dries clear, the white between the spaces is just the painted file cabinet showing through. To space them out I just eyeballed it. Very unofficial, but it worked!

      Reply
  58. Marie says

    November 25, 2013 at 8:41 pm

    I just came across your website and the file cabinet makeover is great! I love the pattern.

    Reply
  59. Bethany says

    December 16, 2015 at 8:30 am

    Do you mind sharing the primer you used? Or maybe I missed it! Sorry! I’m redoing a filing cabinet for my husband for Christmas…wow I sound like a fun wife. :) But we do need one!

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      December 16, 2015 at 11:55 am

      Ha ha, I get it! If we even give gifts they are usually practical. I believe the primer I used was spray Kilz.

      Reply
      • Bethany says

        December 17, 2015 at 10:26 am

        Thanks so much!

        Reply
  60. Niamh king says

    August 12, 2016 at 1:03 pm

    Hi there, love your stuff by the way. I’ve a large 4 drawer metal filing cabinet my husband painted in gaudy colours pre me! Do I have to sand it right down to start a new upcycle or can I glue onto the old paint?

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      August 12, 2016 at 8:51 pm

      If the paint is in good condition you can probably glue right over it. I might sand it really lightly just to rough it up a bit for adhesion, but that’s about it.

      Reply
  61. Cyrus says

    January 3, 2020 at 4:07 am

    I love to apply this to our old furniture, I bought a new one from https://finewal.com and it such a waste to throw the old ones, Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply

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Ashley - Wildfire Interiors
Welcome to Wildfire Interiors! I’m Ashley, and I think you should love where you live. Small budget or big budget, color-obsessed or neutral lover, trend follower or trendsetter, and whether you know anything about design or not…we can all have homes that make us smile. Read more…

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