I’m excited to be sharing my wood trimmed filing cabinet makeover today because it fixed a problem I think many of us face.
The practical vs pretty challenge.
I have a problem with being practical, especially when it’s not pretty. Take filing cabinets, for example. I needed one. They are useful, but metal filing cabinets aren’t necessarily pretty. The challenge I had was a stack of papers that continued to grow on my desk, and then they began multiplying 🙁
But …the cure wasn’t pretty.
It was a filing cabinet.
A few weeks ago I finished my filing cabinet makeover and I changed my mind. I found a great deal on beat up old metal filing cabinet at my favorite thrift store and hauled it home. I knew right away when I spotted it that it would be perfect for my idea.
Why have a plain file cabinet when a super-duper upcycled pretty filing cabinet with wood trim, colorful and stenciled is so much more fun?
DIY tutorial for filing cabinet makeover with wood trim
Start by clean any old dirt and grease off with TSP and dry. Tape off the hardware with painters tape and give it 2 coats of paint. I used DecoArt Chalky Finish in Vintage. It has good coverage and is durable.
I love these little white stencil circles, it’s a DecoArt border stencil. They were perfect for the filing cabinet makeover. See my tips for perfect stenciling in my Birdy Storage Cabinet Makeover project.
To make the wood top and base I cut the bottom and top boards to fit the length and width of the filing cabinet. Don’t assume the filing cabinet is square, measure all the sides, the front and back width were slightly different on mine.
The trim I used was a 1 1/2″ trim with a flat back. I cut it at 45 degree angles. Sorry, I don’t have a close-up picture of it, but it’s easy to pick out, the back has no grooves unlike most of the trim that you’ll find.
Stain the pieces first before attaching them to the filing cabinet.
The base of the metal filing cabinet isn’t solid across. To attach the wood base to the filing cabinet, I used 4 screws to hold the wood in place. It helped to drill pilot holes in both the metal and the wood first. I countersunk the holes in the wood so the screw heads would be recessed. last, I attached the trim with my Ryobi Airstrike Bradnailer.
Flip the upcycled metal filing cabinet project over.
To attach the wood top and trim, add some E6000 or liquid nails to the top of the metal filing cabinet and position the wood top. Next, using the nail gun, attach the trim to the board.
Fill in any gaps and the nail head divots with stainable wood filler and touch up with stain.
My upcycled metal filing cabinet and I are on good terms now.
Practical isn’t so bad as long as it’s pretty too;)
So maybe now I can keep my papers organized and my desk clear, what do you think?
Do you need more organization? You may like some of my other popular organization posts.
5 Creative Ways To Deal With Sentimental Clutter
Organize A Small Kitchen and Get More Space
You’ll find my project linked up to these fabulous parties!
Love a good dose of DIY home decor, home improvement, the challenge of woodworking and creative ways to make your home look fabulous?
I’d love to share mine with you. Click here to sign up for my post emails and I’ll send a quick note when I have a new project to share.
Social media fan? Don’t be shy say hello! I love when you guys do that! I’m interactive on Facebook and I share lots of other projects and, useful inspiration for the home and content I don’t share anywhere else. Follow H2OBungalow on Facebook and Instagram!
I use affiliate links in my posts. If you should make a purchase I will receive an itty bitty commission at no cost to you. Thank you in advance for supporting my blog and two fur-ball cats who believe they are privileged.
Elina says
Simply wow! The filing cabinet doesn’t look boring and ugly anymore at all. I have ugly drawer of particle board with yellowish wooden-look finish. I need that drawer (or my kids do for their gloves and hats) and I need to do something like this for it.
Wendi says
Hi Elina & thank you! It was a dreadful old and heavy filing cabinet. For $12 I couldn’t pass it up and knew there was hidden potential in it! Using it for storagae is a good idea, I keep supplies in one of the drawers on mine:) Thanks so much for your visit and sweet comment!
Debi @ Surroundings by Debi says
I love this file cabinet makeover. I have been looking for ideas to add some spark to my file cabinets and I love your idea! I am pinning and I would love for you to share this at our Thursday Favorite Things Link Party. We go live tomorrow evening at 8 CST. I hope to see you there!
Wendi says
Hi Debi & thank you! It’s favorite makeover of mine for sure. Please share a photo of your makeover on my H2OBungalow Facebook page if you do this project! Thanks so much for your visit!
Sue says
Wow, love your idea. I wanted a wood filing cabinet to also use as a night stand in my guest/craft room. This is perfect because I find these metal ones all the time at thrift stores. Thanks for the inspiration!
Wendi says
Hi Sue and thank you! Thats a great idea to use a filing cabinet for a nightstand. Metal cabinets are so inexpensive too, I found this one for $12. So glad you liked my project and good luck on yours!
Jen @ Noting Grace says
This is super cute! I have a filing cabinet that this would look great on! Great job!
Wendi says
Thank you Jen! It makes a big difference in my tiny office/studio. Now the big challenge is using it and staying organized! Thanks so much for your visit!
Cassie @ Little Red Window says
What a huge difference, it looks so much better! Thanks for sharing with us at The DIY Collective Link Party! Hope you come back and join us again next thursday! xoxo, Cassie @ Little Red Window
Wendi says
Hi Cassie and thank you! That old cabinet was so sad in it’s original state. Love your party and thank you for hosting:)
Jenny @ Refresh Living says
What a great idea to add a wood top and wood trim to the bottom! It makes it look SO much nicer, like it was made that way. Pinning for sure!
Wendi says
Hi Jenny and thank you! I can’t get over the difference myself. The cabinet was so awful when I started:) Thanks so much for your visit & sharing my project!
Katrin says
What an awesome upcycle, it looks amazing! I love the stencils especially and the colour you chose is great!
Wendi says
Thank you so much Katrin. It’s always super when the project turns out as well as the vision in your head! This time it did! LOL Thanks so much for your visit and your swet comment:)
Kim~madeinaday says
What a fabulous makeover! The wood trim is an awesome idea! Thanks for linking up to Merry Monday! Sharing on G+! Have a great week!
Kim
Wendi says
Hi Kim and thank you! I’ve wanted to try this for the longest time. I was glad I finally had a chance to see if my idea would work!
Rebecca says
I feel like I face the pretty vs. practical challenge all the time. You did a beautiful job of turning something as practical as a filing cabinet into home decor. I love the wood top. It turns the whole piece into furniture.
Wendi says
Hi Rebecca, That’s a tough one, Like you I’m constantly battling pretty & practical. Every now and then I get both and it’s a wonderful thing, especially in a small space like we have! LOL Thanks so much for your visit!
Julie @ Logger's Wife says
I’ve seen some filing cabinet painting projects but none with that added a wooden top and trim. I really love this! (visiting from Inspire Me Mondays)
Wendi says
Thank you so much Julie! I tossed this idea around for the longest time and finally bit the bullet and made it! So glad I did, I’m loving it!
Marie, The Interior Frugalista says
Well you took that simple metal file cabinet up several notches girl! Love it…Pinning it.
Wendi says
Thank you Marie! I’m amazed at how much better it looks now too:) Thanks for sharing!
Patty says
I have two of these and had made up my mind to turn them into colorful planters, but now I may have to re-think this decision. You did an incredible job, that file cabinet turned out beautiful.
Wendi says
Thank so much Patty! You should try one of these file cabinet projects too. It was a win win for the pretty & the organized needs in my office:) Have a great weekend!
gail says
Wendi,
This is the BEST metall filing cabinet makeover I’ve ever seen! I just scored a huge one that must weigh 300 pounds.
I plan to paint it, and I think I’ll add the wood top for sure. LOVE this.
pinning.
gail
Wendi says
Thank you Gail! Geez, 300 pounds? That must be one huge filing cabinet! I can’t wait to see what kind of creative makeover you do. Adding a wood top took the plain metal cfiling cabinet to a whole new level of pretty. Can’t wait to see your makeover!
Tracy G says
Very nice up-cycle!! Pinned this immediately!! Thanks for the inspiration!
Wendi says
Tracy, I’m thrilled I inspired you! I hope you try one of these too. It’s a thrifty way to get a fabulous look for little cash. I appreciate your nice note & the share as well!
Serena @ Thrift Diving says
That is adorable, Wendi!! I love how unique and “yours” it is now!!
Wendi says
Thanks so much Serena! I’m thrilled with how well it turned out. I just couldn’t leave that plain metal filing cabinet alone and ugly, right?
TwoPlusCute says
What a great idea adding trim and a wooden top!
Very pretty outcome. š
Wendi says
Thank you! I wasn’t sure how well it would work out. It made such a difference in my $12 filing cabinet…and I don’t mind having it in my office at all now!
Sue@betwixthomeandschool says
Wonderful makeover on the filing cabinet! I especially like the wood top. I’ve never seen wood added to the top, and I feel like it warms the space and cabinet. Bravo for drilling into the metal beast! Excellent makeover on the filing cabinet, very impressive!!
Wendi says
Thank you so much Sue! I’m glad my idea worked out, I hadn’t seen it done before and wanted to try it. You called it too, it was a beast, an ugly one!
Julia says
What a great project! I want one for my office at work. I shall begin my hunt for an ugly metal filing cabinet this weekend. RELEASE THE THRIFTING HOUNDS!!!!
Wendi says
Hi Julia! So glad you like my makeover and yes, it makes a huge difference in the office, both in storage and style š Plus, these are crazy cheap in the thrift stores… have fun shopping!
Jeanie @ create&babble says
You’re so smart! I’ve avoided these types of filing cabinets because of their less-than-appealing looks. I’ll imagine them painted, stenciled, and with wood on when I see them in the thrift stores now!
Wendi says
Me too Jeanie! I’ve been passing these up for ages. I was forced to be creative when I had to find a paper storage solution. It’s a win-win, I have more piles on my desk and a pretty filing cabinet as well!