Are you craving a kitchen makeover but lack the funds to go all out? Well, don’t despair because with a bit of innovation you can give your cabinets a vintage look that will give them the charm of an old world cottage or the perennial appeal of a classic farmhouse kitchen.
Materials Needed to Glaze Kitchen Cabinets
The most important purchase that you make will be the glaze for your kitchen cabinets. Nowadays, you can choose from a variety of glazes that create an antique appearance. You can opt for white, mocha, green, tan, gray, blue, or brown hues.
Here are the materials that you will need to start the project:
- Rubber Gloves
- Painter’s Tape
- Screwdriver
- Glaze
- Sanding Block
- Sandpaper
- Cotton Rags
- Paint Brush
- Clear, Non-Yellowing Spray Polyurethane
- General Purpose Household Cleaner
Steps to Glaze Kitchen Cabinets to Create a Vintage Look
- Remove any knobs or handles from the cabinet doors and drawers.
- Wipe down the surface of the kitchen cabinets with warm water and a general purpose household cleaner. Remove any built up dirt, debris, or oil from the surface of the cabinets. Allow to air dry.
- Outline the cabinets and all other surfaces that will not be glazed with painter’s tape to prevent accidental glaze smudges on the walls or other areas.
- Using the sanding block and sandpaper, begin sanding the raised edges and rounded areas of each cabinet. Be sure to sand all the raised ridges and rounded regions on the doors, drawers, and openings. Using the sandpaper, remove all paint to expose the wood beneath.
- Apply glaze using a clean cotton cloth. Begin rubbing the glaze onto the cabinet surfaces. Use smooth circular motions. Be sure to cover all areas with the glaze. Do not use an excessive amount of glaze. Only a light application will suffice.
- Smooth out the glaze on the covered surfaces using a clean cloth. Remove all circular rub marks by wiping the surface of the glaze in an up and down or side to side movement as it begins to dry.
- Dip the paintbrush into the glaze and paint the glaze onto the corners, edges, and ridges of the cabinet. Apply the glaze liberally in such areas.
- Wipe away the excess glaze from the corners, edges, and ridges of the cabinets using a clean rag. Remove as much of the glaze as desired to achieve the look that you like.
- Continue glazing all the cabinet doors and cabinet surfaces until the cabinets look adequately antiqued.
- Allow the glaze to dry on the cabinets for at least 24 hours.
- Spray the polyurethane lightly across the surface of the cabinets. This will protect the glaze from chipping and also give it a finished appearance. Always use a non-yellowing clear polyurethane or some other sealant to maintain the cabinet’s long term beauty.
- Reattach all handles and knobs to the cabinets and drawers.
- Remove the painter’s tape.
Additional Glaze Tips:
Foam Brushes: Many people opt to use foam brushes in place of cloth rags.
Wood Wax: Instead of spray polyurethane, you can use wood wax to create a clear shine and protect the glaze. Apply wood wax using a clean, dry cloth. Rub the wood wax onto the surface of the cabinets and across the glaze. Wood wax helps blend the lines of glaze into the wood surface of the cabinets. However, the shine is not as lustrous as polyurethane. After the wax dries, lightly buff the surface of the wood wax to create a mellow sparkle.
Oil-based Sealants: If you have decided to use an oil-based glaze, then you can also use an oil-based sealant in place of a spray on polyurethane or wax. However, do not apply the sealant with a brush or it will leave brush marks. For best results, apply two coats. Use a soft rag and gently spread onto the surface of the cabinets with circular motions. An oil-based sealant may yellow slightly over time.
Remove Doors and Drawers: Some people find it easier to remove the cabinet doors and drawers to work on. However, it is a matter of personal taste.
New Hardware: To complete the vintage look, many people opt to purchase new hardware that fits the antique decor. Often brass handles or knobs finish the appearance of the cabinets and give them a rustic appearance.
Glazed Kitchen Cabinets Give Your Kitchen an Instant Facelift
Glazing kitchen cabinets not only gives the kitchen the timeless charm of a vintage appearance but is also a fun, budget-friendly DIY project that anyone can do. It provides your kitchen with an instant facelift. You might fall so in-love with the glazed appearance of your kitchen cabinets that you want to also do your free-standing furniture. Glazing looks wonderful on kitchen tables, hutches, stools, and butcher blocks too. You can also glaze your bathroom cabinets for a whole house makeover.