SUPPLIES:
- Scotchgard Fabric Protector against liquid and stains
- Drill
- Staple Gun - I know a hammer and pins are pictured above, however I found that using a staple gun was much more efficient and just as removable!
- 6 yds. fabric
If you rent, you know there are limited with options at times to make a space your own. If you happen to hate your kitchen cabinets, but can't paint or replace them, this may be an option for you! My cabinets weren't all that bad, just your standard simple oak, but I thought I would test this out and share my results. With the fabric of your choice you can "paint" your rental cabinets to customize your space!
We want to help you DIY, so some of the materials in this post are linked to sellers. Just so you know, Hometalk may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.
- Scotchgard Fabric Protector against liquid and stains
- Drill
- Staple Gun - I know a hammer and pins are pictured above, however I found that using a staple gun was much more efficient and just as removable!
- 6 yds. fabric
STEP 1: Remove your cabinets Using your drill, remove your cabinet doors and their hinges from the cabinets.
STEP 2: Measure your fabric Lay your door onto your fabric and cut out a piece of fabric with a good 1.5" excess on each side.
STEP 3: Staple the fabric Grab your staple gun and staple the fabric down to the back side of the doors. You will start by stapling one side and then the other making sure the fabric is nice and taut. If you are worried about the staples you can also use mod-podge or just extra starch on the edges to secure it in place
STEP 4: Fold the fabric for the corners For the corners of the door you will need to fold each side over one another and then staple it in place. It helps to pull up the corner of the fabric over the edge and then fold one side over and then the other over that and then stapling through all 3 layers.
STEP 5: Seal with liquid starch Once all your sides are stapled down seal the fabric border in place by spraying it with some liquid starch. It serves as a temporary glue and will keep your fabric in place.
STEP 6: Prepare the cabinet frame Cut pieces for each section of the cabinet that lies behind the doors with some excess on each side to fold over and around the edges. For each section spray the surface with the liquid starch.
STEP 7: Add fabric to the frame Grab your fabric piece fold over one edge so it is clean.
Stick your fabric to the surface and spray it down with more starch making sure it is nice and smooth. I found it helped to go with the seams of the wood as a guide for where the strips of fabric will meet.
STEP 8: Get rid of the excess fabric Wrap the excess edges of the fabric around the edges of the cabinet and staple them in place (again if you don't want to staple you can use extra starch or mod-podge to seal the edges in place) making sure the fabric on the front surface is lying nice and smooth. Add more liquid starch to help smooth it out and keep it in place. Repeat steps 6-8 for all uncovered sections of your cabinets. *For drawers you will use a combination of how you cover both the doors and the back surface.
STEP 9: Spray down every crevice with a liberal amount of fabric protector. This will help to keep the cabinets water and stain resistant. Since kitchens get dirty this is a MUST! When you are ready to remove the coverings you just remove all the staples with a flathead screwdriver and wash away the starch with a wet sponge and some soap.
Here is a before and after of the cabinets! Such a transformation! I must say I do love an emerald green color in the kitchen. I may have to add some hardware!
Though I would prefer to just paint them, this is a nice option for those who aren't able to paint and want something different from what they have got going on in their rental!
I did take an iron and press out the folded creases to help make the seams nice and tight!
As a landlord, I would deduct from the damage deposit of a departing tenant if I found holes such as staples would leave in cabinet doors. Bella's suggestion to use tape would be better but plan to remove the tape residue with wd-40 or gunk remover & wash that off & re-polish cabinets if you try tape. Might have to do same to remove starch anyway.
We spend a good chunk of our day in the kitchen, so it’s important to make sure that your kitchen is...
I love refinishing jewelry cabinets! Since it's a feminine piece, I can do a feminine design, which...
DIY Faux Brick backsplash from faux brick panels
If you have plastic containers, chances are they have gotten stained over time, but they are still...
I wanted to update my boring builder grade bathroom vanity.I painted it last year but was lazy and...
Here’s another dollar store Spring decor project! You know those plastic gold chargers Dollar Tree...
I was looking for a project piece to use the Prairie Colors BARN RED paint that I had on hand. I...
I said I wouldn't paint it. Unless it didn't sell. It didn't sell. So I painted it!
Let me explain....
One day, a few years ago while out looking for a piece to use with another project I was working on,...
My neighbor had to move and left a bunch of things in our field, covered. Later she came back and...
This is a Depression Era china cabinet that had seen better days. It has gorgeous lines but with few...
I absolutely love the way caning looks on furniture it just gives the piece such a coastal feel and...
Hi, I'm Liz from Simple Decorating Tips, a DIY and decorating blog. We have an antique inspired...
I decided to repurpose blind slats left over from replacing blinds in the house.
I spent my winter vacation building these shelves into the wall of my little kitchen. It's a fun...
This is not the usual step by step instructions because I did not record this project because it was...
Do you know those old farmhouse kitchens that look nothing like the pictures you see on Pinterest...
I have been painting furniture for about 8 years and I always love to challenge myself with new...
A friend was clearing out her mom’s furniture and messaged me to ask if I wanted an antique bar...
I'm so thrilled with the results of our painted kitchen cabinets. It's so worth the labor if you are...
While scrolling through the Facebook Marketplace, which I am addicted to, by the way, I came across...
Get the steps to create a photo banner to decorate for your next celebration. Photo banners are...
When I think of a bathtub caddy tray, I think of a fancy lady of leisure. You know, the one that...
We installed engineered hardwood in a dark hand scraped hickory in our new home 10 years ago. Over...
This DIY Spring Moss Wreath is so easy to make.Seriously…..In 20 to 30 minutes flat you have a show...
Learn how to make a gorgeous tulip wreath for Easter with just a few simple materials, and less than...
So I’ve been pondering this idea about adding a vent to my exposed duct work in the basement for...
Springtime means fresh (or fake!) flowers and fun greenery arrangements! If you’re wanting something...
This simple tutorial shows you how easy it is to dye egg shells using materials found in the kitchen...
This very well may be the easiest project I will ever post. For quite some time now I have wanted to...
Took this well loved Jacobean style antique cabinet and transformed it for our clients new home with...
And if you have been keeping up with my projects lately.. this is one more 'barn find' (I got 4...
Spring is around the corner which means fresh air, nicer weather and lovely colorful flowers. I...
Discover how to make a rose sugar scrub recipe with essential oils. This rose body scrub is made...
Beeswax wraps are very easy and inexpensive to make. You’ll love this simple linen version of a...
Want to know how easy it is to replace rocking chair upholstery on an antique Eastlake rocking...
So I was in need of, and searching for, a dresser. One that I could use in my bathroom, where I...
Have a question about this project?
'm very interested in trying this in my kitchen. What kind of fabric did you use? Could make a big difference In how it turns out.
I want to do something in my kitchen and bathroom and am thinking of all the materials that might work.
i am going to go to a fabric store find a pleather buy enough for 1 door and see how that works.
Wouldn't the smell of food linger on the material
The thought of fabric covering kitchen Units would be a nightmare to keep clean.how can you wipe off drips and stains. I'm sure some people think up novel ideas to fill an article but living with this....have you?