I found this wooden file cabinet on OfferUp (a resale app) for $10! It is in pretty good shape outside of being extra dusty. The rollers worked really well, so the drawers pulled in and out with ease. Filing cabinets can be pretty expensive when purchasing new, so I recommend look for used options first.
I decided to spray paint my filing cabinet in two tone in Gold and Champagne and also change out the handles to something quite glam, such as large diamonds!
Items Used to Complete this Project:
- Rust-Oleum Bright Coat Metallic Finish in Bright Coat Gold
- Rust-Oleum Universal Advanced Formula in Champagne Mist
- Glass Diamond Like Knobs
- Electronic Drill (for new holes if needed)
- Aluminum Foil (to Protect Wheels from Paint) You can also use plastic with rubber-bands.
Disclosure: Some of the links provided on my blog are affiliate links, meaning never at any additional cost to you. I may earn a commission if you click on those links and make a purchase.
I removed the drawers and cleaned the whole thing with warm water. Once dry I used an old t-shirt dipped in alcohol to clean again. Be sure to lightly sand prior to cleaning to smooth out any imperfections using fine sand paper. I turned desk upside down and covered the wheels with aluminum foil (aint nobody got time to remove these LOL). I also removed the existing drawer handles to prep for new glass bling knobs instead.
I ordered the Diamond Like Glass Knobs on Amazon. I’m a Prime Member so delivery is always two days or less. You can try it out for 30 days free by following this link. Perfect timing! Be sure to order the correct screw size. There are multiple size screws available.
Once alcohol was dry, I took the cabinet outside with wheels covered in Aluminum Foil and sprayed painted the whole cabinet in the Rust-Oleum Champagne Mist Spray Paint. I started with the top because that area would have the most wear. Allow 30 minutes between coats. I applied two coats or the whole bottle to all parts of the cabinet, except for the bottom. Spray painting outside on a day when it’s not windy or too humid is best.
I sprayed painted both drawers with two coats of the Rust-Oleum Bright Gold.
By the time my Glass Diamond Knobs arrived the paint was cured and most definitely ready for handling. Follow the instructions on the paint can before handling. It’s usually a few hours or a day to be safe.
So here is the final Before and After photos, from Dusty to Glam for less than $40, once again these wooden file cabinets retails for $99 plus so for a one of a kind Glam File Cabinet $40 is a bargain still.
This file cabinet goes really well with my Black and Gold Glam Desk so I’m really happy with the results of the quick and easy makeover.
Make a An Antique File Cabinet New Again
If you think your file cabinet is too old to make over, you may be surprised. It really depends on the condition, although some wear and tear can still be repaired. I’ve sanded over rust and primed furniture before. I’ve also preserved worm holed wood furniture. I say all this to say, “never say never”. This beautiful file cabinet below is over 100 years and was made new again, simply and inexpensively by Sprinkled and Painted at KAStyles.co. Click the link to learn how to get this look with your file cabinet.
Southern Yankee also had the same concept, painting hers a gorgeous royal blue with gold hardware and even adding legs. The gold metals definitely pop against this blue. Legs are optional and there are so many styles available. The acrylic and gold styles would look fabulous on this DIY Glam Filing Cabinet as well.
Upcycle Your File Cabinet for Alternate Purposes
Because of their compact size, it’s easy to find other reasons to repurpose your old filing cabinet beyond your office space. This chalkboard craft storage filing cabinet created by Haeley at Design Improvised hits home for me since I do love crafting. This would also be great for parents who are homeschooling to store school supplies.
A Glam Approach to Upcycling Your Filing Cabinet
This one below is definitely fabulous as described by Make it Yours. Although it may look like it took a long time, it’s as really as simple as paint and some pretty contact or wallpaper to have a similar look. I absolutely love the marble details against the gold hardware and black paint.
Level Up Your File Cabinet
If you’re feeling creative and want to take your filing cabinet to a all new level checkout how Chaney with May Richer Fuller Be took this card file from trash to treasure. Very creative how she brings these pieces together to create a multi-use side table. I’m quite impressed!
A Modge Podge Filing Cabinet Makeover
If you don’t have an existing filing cabinet, hopefully you can get as lucky as Ashley with Domestic Imperfection did finding a pile of them for only $5/each. Check out how she got this look below using just paint, scrapbook paper and modge podge.
Upcycle Filing Cabinet with Frames
This is a quite classic which would look great in a craft room, sewing room or even in the baby’s room. Nancy with Craft Your Happiness got really creative upcycling hers to hold fabrics. It’s so chic and organized using the hanging file folders to hold the fabric. How creative! The ornate wood applique at the bottom gives it a elegant vintage like to touch to me. Love it!
DIY File Cabinet Desk
This beauty below was created part of Beautiful Life Market during her Ugly Home Office Makeover. So if you have two desks, her step by step guide is explained thoroughly to get this same look at a strict budget. If you don’t have to file cabinet, I recommend you to check out apps such as OfferUp and 5 Miles. Facebook’s Marketplace and Craigslist is another option, but the apps are cool because it is based on your location, the sellers have been verified, and you can read the feedback left by other buyers.
From Bookcase to DIY Glam Filing Cabinet
Creating a filing cabinet from a bookcase is quick, stylish and budget friendly. Wanda at From House to Home created this industrial glam filing cabinet below using a simple open bookcase and black letter size file boxes. These bookcases and letter size filing boxes come in various colors so you can make them fit to your own styling. You could add wheels if you wanted to or even legs. Check out From House to Home guide to achieve this DIY glam filing cabinet.
This completes my favorite Upcycled Posh and Glam DIY Filing Cabinet Makeovers. I hope you’ve been inspired!