Renter's Cabinet Cover Up

Amanda C, Hometalk Team
by Amanda C, Hometalk Team
5 Materials
$50
5 Hours
Medium

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.

SUPPLIES:

- Liquid Starch

- 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!

Resources for this project:
See all materials
Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Hometalk may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.More info
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 38 questions
  • RClaire RClaire on Dec 26, 2022

    Looks good! Was it a problem using the spray Scotchgard indoors? I’m wondering if it would have been better to spray the fabric outside before using it. Or would the Scotchgard stiffen the fabric and make it difficult to work with ?


  • Djz25793750 Djz25793750 on Jan 18, 2023

    Your putting LIQUID starch and SPRAY protector on to fabric that is against wood. I would think that this would damage the wood finish! Have you removed this since doing it? I’d like to know the condition of the cabinets after this has been done to them. This seems like a very dumb idea I’d certainly be cautious if I was a renter, I foresee some big repair costs in your future

  • Lauren Lauren on Feb 07, 2023

    I love your makeover! It looks beautiful. Definetely take it up a notch and get the hardware. As long as it doesn't damage the underlying finish, what can the landlord be angry about? Simply stunning!

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 452 comments
  • Lois Lois on Nov 25, 2023

    I really like your material project. Great improvement. I always enjoy other ideas from folks that offer their opinions . Great job.

  • Vickie Vickie on Mar 18, 2024

    We lived in military quarters, (leased housing while overseas). You were not allowed to change any surfaces throughout your house. You could paint walls, as long as they were returned to white when you moved out. That could be costly when you were transferring every 2 to 4 yrs. I have used contact paper on many surfaces. I was told about, and used many, many times, the fabric and fabric starch to decorate. However, I always soaked the fabric in the starch till completely wet. Squeezed, never wringing. Unless of course you are looking for a crinkled surface. Apply to surface and squeegee excess starch with hands. Allow to dry and trim any excess with a ruler and razor knife. You dampen a corner with sponge and peal entire surface with no damage when you move!!!

    I don't see why cabinets could not be done the same way and then sprayed with protectant while drying. We are 40 yrs retired from the military, I might try this on my own cabinets, hmmm....!

Next