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Repurposed Cabinet Door

January 22, 2022

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Looking for ideas to repurpose those old cabinet doors?

Check out this easy DIY to give them a quick makeover with a little stain and a few wall decals and turn them into artwork for your home.

Old Yellow Cabinet Door

A few summers ago, I was outside getting the mail when I noticed a pile of construction debris at the end of my neighbor's driveway.

They were apparently gutting their bathroom and there at the curb was their old vanity.

Just waiting to be carted away.

Of course, knowing that old cabinet doors are a hot commodity in the world of upcycling, I ran back inside to grab my screwdriver.

And then went back outside to claim them.

Because that's normal, right?

Well, around here it is.

I'm constantly scouring my neighborhood for treats.

Why in the past few years, I've scored a few vintage sleds.

A ceiling fan.

A wooden chair.

And two wooden benches

All of which were either diced up for parts and upcycled or given complete and total trash to treasure makeovers to become the most fabulous new home decor pieces for my cottage.

But believe it or not, I've never once repurposed a cabinet door. 

Crazy right? 

Unfortunately, as soon as I got those beauties home I found myself asking, What can I do with old cabinet doors?

I'd seen lots of lovely ideas over the years, but honestly, if I can't use something in my own home, then I won't make it. I just don't have the room in this tiny cottage for folly.

That meant that all those creative ideas for chalk or cork boards, message centers, shelves and trays weren't going to work for me. At least not at that moment.

So into the craft closet they went.

Until this week, when inspiration hit. I got the idea to use them to make some upcycled wall art and I have to say, it was a huge win.

Here's what I did.

Repurposed Cabinet Door Wall Art DIY



First, I grabbed my supplies from the craft cabinet:

Dixie Belle Gel Stain Bayou Moss container in hand

Dixie Belle VooDoo Gel Stains
I used Bayou Moss and Tobacco Road
Paint Brushes 
Applicator Pad
Dixie Belle Clear Coat Satin
Vintage Floral Transfers
Screwdriver
Drill
Twine

The doors were a little icky so I wiped them both down with a damp paper towel and some soap. They cleaned up right away.

Screwdriver removing cabinet knob

Next, I removed the knob from one of the doors.

The other door was set aside. For now.

To get started, I gave the entire door a coat of the brown stain with an applicator pad.

What I love about the Voodoo stain is that is goes over the existing finish without any real prep and covers well. I used it on my fireplace mantel recently and was blown away by how easy it was to use.

Hand with applicator pad Staining Over Paint On Old Cabinets

I did give it two light coats to get this look, allowing the first coat to dry for about 15 minutes before applying the second.

Then, to make the cabinet door look like a wooden framed sign, I used a brush and applied a very heavy coat of the brown gel stain to the outer moulding with a brush.

Brushing dark stain onto outer moulding of cabinet door

To get that really dramatic, dark look, I used two coats.

At this point the contrast was lovely, but I'm a color girl - no surprise there - so I cracked open the green stain and added two coats of that to the center panel of the cabinet door.

It's the same green I used on my dollar store wooden sign. So fresh.

Adding green stain onto cabinet door

When that was dry, I went over the entire piece with a coat of clear satin. 

Pretty dramatic difference from the beginning of the project...wouldn't you say?

Before and after of cabinet doors

But wait. There's more. 

The whole idea behind this DIY was to create a framed piece of art to hang on my wall. That meant I needed a hanger of some sort.

I thought a piece of twine looped around two knobs would look very cool and fit my vintage vibe.

Since there was already one knob on the door, so I just used my drill to make another hole for the knob I took off the second door.

Ryobi drill drilling into cabinet door

Well, with the frame complete, and the holes drilled for the hanger, it was time to add the artwork.

In the form of vinyl floral transfers.

Adding Furniture Transfer On Cabinet Doors

I cut out a few flowers that I liked, from the same set I used to embellish my magazine rack.

I also used them to make a romantic Valentine banner.

This time however, I mixed black and white designs with some muted colored blooms and some leaves. I layered them on top of one another in a pattern I liked and boom.

Instant fabulous.

Cabinet Door Wall Sign DIY on table with tulips

I have to say, this is one of my most favorite DIYs. 

Perfect for my 1920s cottage style home.

It was a joy to create and I absolutely love, love, love the finished product.

So much so that I already have my next door project planned.

Stay tuned!

Oh and if you haven't entered my pillow cover giveaway there's still time!
Pop over to enter.

Then pop over to visit my friends for more upcycled fun.

Do it over designers blog hop graphic

My friend Ann from Apple Street Cottage organized this super creative bunch and you won't want to miss even one project on the list! 

Pandora’s Box

Purple Hues & Me

Southern Sunflowers

Interior Frugalista

The Apple Street Cottage

Birdz of a Feather

Cloches & Lavender

Exquisitely Unremarkable

Little Vintage Cottage

Modern on Monticello

Sum of Their Stories
Kim Signature


Post a Comment | 54 Comments

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  1. Wow Kim, what a difference - I love this as wall art! Great idea to use a second pull so you can hang it with the twine. You find the best stuff in your neighbourhood to make over!

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    1. Thanks Sara! I have to say, it is a great neighborhood for second hand finds. Perfect for a trash to treasure makeover girl like me!

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  2. This is such a great find and I love the end result, Kim. Those transfers are beautiful and the knobs are the perfect finishing touch. Love it all!

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    1. Thanks Ann! The idea came to me when we were zooming and I just ran with it. Thanks for organizing the hop today, it's always a fun day.

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  3. I love it Kim. The colors are pretty and so are the transfers.

    I have a cabinet door from our old home I madeover years ago.

    I would have grabbed the doors too.

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    1. Thanks Cindy! I rarely see cabinet doors around here so I was excited to find these. I love the transfers, so easy to use and very dramatic. Stay warm!

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  4. What a fabulous idea to turn a cabinet door into wall art, Kim! It's a great find and truly a stunning piece! But I have to admit that I got tickled reading about how you saw a bathroom cabinet in your neighborhood and took just the doors from it! I just thought that was so funny for the owners to look out and see the doors missing and say to themselves - somebody took the doors or someone else wanting the cabinet and wondered what happened to the doors? Forgive me, I'm being silly that way!

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    1. It is comical, Gail, trust me, I was laughing the whole time while I was unscrewing the doors! The really funny thing is that the owners were away. If they'd been home, I certainly would've gone in and told them what I was up to...but this is their summer house, they live in the city most of the year. So it was the contractor who was watching me from the window, an older gentleman, who I'm sure had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I think he was waiting for me to come back and get the cabinet! 😂

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  5. Kim it turned out beautiful. I love that pretty design. My eye caught your drill and I was wondering if its an easy one to use. I am in the market to buy one now. Btw I love the new look of your blog and your photo!

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    1. It's a great drill, Mary! It's perfect for my hand size and the battery recharges in a jiffy and stays charged for a good long time. I highly recommend it!

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  6. That turned out great! Looking forward to seeing what you do with the other one!

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    1. Thanks Penny! I already have the paint picked out.

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  7. Great find Kim. You have turned it into a beauty. Love the florals.

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    1. Thanks Linda! Those decals make me look like a professional painter!

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  8. Wowza! You'd never know it was the same thing! I love those flower transfers too, perfect for the Cottagecore chic that seems to be everywhere at the moment - you're very on trend.

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    1. Thanks! I have to say I love the result. They really do fit in with my cottage style home perfectly and it's been fun to see my decor come back in style. I knew if I hung on to that floral couch long enough it would be en vogue again!!

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  9. Kim, you're killing me, I just had my bathroom vanity removed on Friday and carted to the dump..no truer saying than a day late and a dollar short. I would have never thought to do this until I saw yours.

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    1. Oh no! Trust me, been there too many times to count. Maybe you'll find a door at the curb like I did. Just remember to bring your screwdriver on your next trip around the block!

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  10. Wow, that's nice. We just took out a portion of our kitchen cupboards, I'm going to have to take another look at those cabinet doors!

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    1. Yes! You never know when design inspiration strikes.

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  11. You have great vision ! I thought this would end up being a magnetic board, but lobe that its a piece of art! Clever!

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    1. Thanks Patti! I thought about a magnet or cork board, but I didn't really need or have space for one, so art it is!

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  12. Well that was a good score girlfriend. It is amazing as always. Very cute. Have a great weekend. xoxo

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    1. Thanks Kris! It provided a really good canvas and frame all in one for those flowers. xxoo

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  13. I wish I was as uninhibited and brave as you, my friend. Oh, I definitely would've gone for those doors but sneaky ole me would've waited until everyone was asleep. LOL If only your neighbor's could see their cabinet door now! I love how you used both knobs for the hanger too. Very pretty DIY wall art, Kim!

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    1. Marie, I totally should've waited until night. I'm sure that all my neighbors, working from home, were eating their sandwiches at lunchtime, watching the crazy lady with the screwdriver across the street!! Haha!!

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  14. What a great idea to take your neighbors cabinet doors and turn it into art work. I love how this came out and it looks so pretty with the flowers. Where in your house are you going to put your new art work?

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    1. I know that their contractor thought I was crazy, there with my screwdriver, but I really love the result. Hopefully I will be hanging it in the den or family room this spring after a couple of room renos!

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  15. Such a cute makeover, Kim! I love the colors and the decals that you chose for that cottage-y feel!

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    1. Thanks so much, Kitty! I really like the way this one turned out. Those transfers really are a trash to treasure game changer. Happy Sunday!!

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  16. Wowser! Your door now looks amazing as wall art! I've never attempted transfers before and it looks like I'm missing out. Awesome makeover!

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    1. Thanks so much, Allyson! I highly recommend them. SO easy and the pop they add is nothing short of amazing.

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  17. You amaze me. What a great idea.
    I love how you did the flowers.

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    1. Thanks Carla! ❤️ Those transfers make it very easy to look like a pro.

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  18. What a fabulous upcycle! Where are you going to hang it?

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    1. Thanks Melanie and thanks for asking!! I haven’t decided yet, but I am planning a den and family room makeover this spring in those colors. So one of those two rooms will be the lucky winner.

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  19. I love this! The color, the twine, the rustic feel - it's perfect!

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    1. Thanks Mari! I do like the twine touch, too. It just seemed to fit.

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  20. Such a fun story to go with this project Kim! I wish I had more neighbors - We only have a couple of neighbors and one recently had a desk at the end of their driveway with a 'free' sign attached. Well, of course I picked it up (actually my hubby did!) Free stuff in the neighbor's yards is the best!

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    1. Free stuff is the best, Cindy, I agree!! The houses in my neighborhood are pretty small, so I think when something new comes in, something old goes out...and into my house!! Haha!

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  21. Look at you! Staining, painting, using power tools. You go, girl! Love the makeover. I've been seeing a lot of my favorite Youtube DIY'ers using transfers in their projects, and can't believe I haven't done this yet. Your inspiring me to order some and get busy. Hugs.

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    1. Nancy, the transfers have been a game changer for me! I don’t have to stencil or decoupage if I’m not in the mood. I can just grab a pretty design and go! I highly recommend them. I’m sure you could create something beautiful with your vision. Hugs!!

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  22. Kim, did you see my mouth drop open - seriously, it did - that is a gorgeous transformation, and a perfect piece of art! I think you could seriously upgrade an entire kitchen with your ability to refinish cabinets!

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    1. Amy, you are always the absolute sweetest and totally make my day with your comments…and trust me, I’m not really that talented, I just pick easy projects. 😉

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  23. I knew you would make it into something fabulous and you did. I love it. xo Laura

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    1. Thanks Laura! This one was so fun to make that I'm already working on the other one. xo

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  24. Where on earth do you get your inspiration from, lady??? Your brain works in mysterious and WONDERFUL ways! Gorgeous!

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    1. Thanks Debbie! You're always so sweet. It's my super power....transforming trash! Haha! Not much of a fame or moneymaker, but it makes me happy for sure.

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  25. Your talent never ceases to amaze me! I still wish you lived next door...I'd do a lot of visiting to see all your wonderful projects.

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    1. Thanks Cheri! We would have a lot of fun talking about our love of red!

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  26. That is such an amazing transformation Kim! I would have never thought to make a frame out of a cabinet door. Love this idea, and loved your sharing of your creative process! The possibilities are really endless!

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    1. Thank you Marilyn! I've seen so many creative cabinet door ideas, I had to try one and now I'm hooked!

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  27. Kim, I am always looking for boards to make signs and never even thought of using a cupboard door. What a great idea. It looks wonderful. I will be on the look out from here on in..Happy February..xxoJudy

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    1. Thank you, Judy! This is my first try and I have to say it won't be my last! I love the way it turned out. I say give it a try!

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