Achieving a clean, cohesive look in your kitchen or bathroom sometimes requires covering up outdated or unsightly metal cabinets. While replacing cabinets can be costly, you can transform the look of metal cabinets on a budget with some simple DIY solutions. Here are easy ways to cover up metal cabinets for a fresh new look.
Clean and Prepare Cabinets
The first step is to thoroughly clean the cabinets and remove any grease or grime before applying any coverings. Use a degreaser or all-purpose cleaner and scrub the cabinet interiors and exteriors, racks, shelves, doors, and handles. Rinse with clean water and let dry completely. Remove the cabinet doors and hardware if possible to make covering easier. Lightly sand any rough areas on the cabinet frames. Wipe away dust with a tack cloth. Properly prepping the metal surfaces will help paint, contact paper, or other coverings adhere better.
Fresh Coat of Paint
One of the easiest ways to update old metal cabinets is to give them a fresh coat of paint. Painting metal cabinets allows you to change the color easily. And glossy paint has a smoothing effect that helps conceal dents and scratches in the metal. Here are some tips for painting metal cabinets:
Clean and Degrease
Make sure cabinets are clean and grease-free before painting. Degloss previously painted cabinets with sandpaper.
Prime
It’s critical to apply a bonding primer made for metal before painting. This helps the paint adhere to slick metal surfaces. Allow primer to dry completely before painting.
Paint
Use a high-quality enamel spray paint formulated for metal. Apply in thin coats, allowing each coat to fully dry between applications. Two to three coats provides good coverage.
Clear Coat (Optional)
Applying one to two coats of clear spray paint seals the finish and provides added protection and durability.
Cure
Allow paint to cure fully, about a week, before use. Avoid slamming doors or scrubbing surfaces right away.
With good prep and the right paint, you can easily update the look of metal cabinets with a fresh coat of color.
Adhesive Contact Paper
Self-adhesive contact paper, also called self-adhesive shelf liner, offers an inexpensive way to cover cabinets. Contact paper is available in many colors and patterns, from wood grain to stone, marble, and more. Here’s how to use it:
- Thoroughly clean cabinet surface. Remove doors and hardware if possible.
- Measure and cut contact paper to fit each cabinet surface, allowing for some overlap.
- Peel off backing and press onto cabinet frame and doors, smoothing out any air bubbles as you go.
- Use an X-ACTO knife to neatly trim excess paper along edges.
- Reattach hardware.
Contact paper adheres tightly to form a new surface over the old cabinets. Look for thick, high-quality contact paper for the most durable results. Change the look again by simply peeling off and applying new contact paper.
Heat Shrink Plastic Film
Another way to update metal cabinets is by applying heat shrink plastic film. When heat is applied, the thick plastic shrinks tightly over the existing cabinet frame and doors. Here is the application process:
- Remove cabinet doors and hardware. Clean surfaces thoroughly.
- Cut plastic film to size, allowing 2-3 inches overlap on all sides.
- Pre-shrink film using a hair dryer on low setting.
- Position film over cabinet frame and apply heat, smoothing out wrinkles. Repeat for doors.
- Trim excess plastic once cooled using a sharp utility knife.
- Reattach hardware.
Heat shrink plastic comes in wood, marble, and abstract patterns to transform the look. The elastic film hugs the contours of the cabinets for a smooth finish. Replace as needed when plastic becomes worn.
Tile or Stone Contact Paper
For a high-end custom look, consider applying tile or stone contact paper to cabinets. These peel-and-stick papers mimic the look of ceramic tile, marble, granite, and other hard surfaces. Application is similar to regular contact paper:
- Thoroughly clean and dry cabinets. Remove doors and hardware if possible.
- Measure and cut contact paper to fit each cabinet section.
- Peel off backing, press onto surface, and smooth out air pockets as you go.
- Use a razor blade, craft knife or scissors to neatly trim excess around edges.
- Clean contact paper well and reapply hardware.
The contact paper transforms the cabinets with the beauty and realism of natural stone or tile. With a variety of realistic patterns available, it offers a custom designer look at a fraction of the cost.
Stainless Steel Contact Paper
For a modern industrial feel, cover cabinets in stainless steel contact paper. The paper has an adhesive backing that sticks to the cabinets. Follow these steps:
- Clean and prepare cabinet surfaces by removing doors and hardware if possible.
- Measure each section and cut contact paper to size allowing for overlap.
- Carefully peel off backing and smooth paper onto cabinets.
- Use a sharp utility knife to trim excess paper at edges and corners.
- Reattach doors and hardware.
- Use a soft cloth to buff paper and remove any air bubbles.
The mirrored finish bounces light around and makes the space feel larger while concealing flaws. Stainless contact paper offers an affordable way to get the look of stainless steel cabinets.
Chalkboard Contact Paper
For a fun, playful look in a kitchen or child’s room, use black chalkboard contact paper. The paper creates a writing surface that can be drawn on with chalk. To apply:
- Clean and dry cabinets thoroughly. Remove doors and hardware if possible.
- Measure and cut contact paper to fit each cabinet section, allowing overlap.
- Peel off backing and adhere to cabinet frames and doors.
- Use a sharp blade to trim excess paper at edges and corners.
- Reinstall hardware.
- Season the chalkboard paper by rubbing chalk over the surface and wiping clean.
Chalkboard contact paper enables creativity and customization. Simply erase and redraw whenever you want to change the look. It wipes clean easily with a damp cloth.
Wood Veneer Paneling
For a warm wood look, apply adhesive-backed wood veneer panels. These thin sheets of real wood adhere right over existing cabinets. To install:
- Remove doors, clean and lightly sand cabinets.
- Cut veneer panels to size allowing for overhang.
- Peel off adhesive backing and press in place on cabinets. Use a roller to adhere fully.
- Use a sharp utility knife to trim excess veneer at edges.
- Reattach doors and hardware.
The wood veneer panels conceal the old cabinet fronts with beautiful, natural wood grain. Choose from different wood types and stains to create the desired look.
Wallpaper
Another way to disguise metal cabinets is by applying wallpaper. Adhesive-backed wallpaper offers an almost limitless array of colors, prints, and textures. To apply:
- Clean and dry cabinets thoroughly. Remove doors and hardware if possible.
- Measure and cut wallpaper panels to size for each cabinet section.
- Apply wallpaper adhesive to backs of panels.
- Press panels onto cabinets, smoothing out any air pockets or wrinkles.
- Use a sharp utility knife to neatly trim excess paper at edges and corners.
- Clean and reinstall hardware once wallpaper is fully adhered.
From floral prints to faux wood panels, wallpaper allows you to easily transform the look of your metal cabinets. Replace whenever you want a new style.
Fabric Covering
For a soft textile look, wrap metal cabinets with fabric. Almost any tightly woven cotton, canvas, or upholstery fabric can be used. Here’s how:
- Remove cabinet doors and hardware. Thoroughly clean frames.
- Measure each cabinet section and cut fabric allowing 4-6 inches overlap.
- Apply fabric adhesive or spray adhesive to backs of fabric.
- Smooth fabric over cabinet boxes and doors, trimming excess fabric along edges.
- Reattach hardware once fabric has fully adhered.
Choose fabric with fun prints or textures like burlap, linen, or velvet for upscale style. Fabric is easy to update when you want to change the look.
Faux Finishes
Experiment with faux finishes like glazing, ragging, stippling, or sponging onto painted cabinets to disguise surface flaws. These techniques create depth, dimension, and visual interest on metal cabinet surfaces.
- Paint cabinets a base color and let dry fully. Lightly sand to degloss.
- Apply glaze, diluted paint, or specific faux finish product with brush, cloth, or sponge.
- Immediately manipulate finish using a rag, brush, or sponge to create desired effect.
- Seal with a clear finish for durability.
Faux finishes conceal dents, scratches, and uneven surfaces on metal cabinets by adding decorative textures and charm. Change the look again just by painting over and applying a new finish.
Cabinet Frame Overlay
For a complete makeover, consider installing new cabinet frames over the old boxes to conceal the metal. DIY overlay frames can be created from boards, trim molding, or salvaged wood. Or order ready-to-assemble cabinet frames sized to fit over your existing boxes. To install:
- Build or assemble cabinet frames to fit over each cabinet box.
- Attach the new frames over the old boxes using screws driven into the cabinet interior.
- Install new doors, drawer fronts and hardware for a fully updated look.
The new frame overlay transforms the cabinets without having to remove the old boxes. This achieves a fully built-out custom look for much less than replacing cabinets.
Summary
Outdated or worn metal kitchen and bath cabinets can be revived with simple DIY makeovers. Cleaning and applying adhesive contact paper, paint, heat shrink film, or tiles provide affordable ways to disguise flaws and change up the look of metal cabinets. For a more extensive transformation, adding new overlay frames or custom doors gives metal cabinets a completely fresh look. With some creativity and effort, those old metal cabinets can be updated into a stunning new focal point in your home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Covering Up Metal Cabinets
What preparation is required before covering metal cabinets?
Thoroughly clean and degrease cabinets, remove doors and hardware, lightly sand surfaces, and wipe away any dust in order to prep metal cabinets for contact paper, paint, or other coverings. Proper prep helps coverings adhere evenly and smoothly.
What covering options work best for metal cabinets?
Self-adhesive vinyl contact paper offers the easiest, most affordable way to cover metal cabinets and comes in many colors and realistic patterns. Painting also changes the look easily but requires proper metal primer. Tile contact paper and heat shrink plastic provide a smooth custom finish.
Should I remove doors and hardware before covering cabinets?
Yes, removing doors, shelves and hardware allows for easier application of contact paper, paint or other coverings over the cabinet boxes and frames. Components can be covered separately. Reattach hardware over coverings once fully adhered.
How do I get a smooth finish with contact paper?
Carefully measure and cut contact paper to exact size. Smooth paper as you apply, pressing out any air bubbles or wrinkles. Use a plastic smoother or straight edge to adhere paper evenly. Trim excess neatly at edges. Contact paper covers flaws for a smooth look.
Can I paint over contact paper on cabinets?
Yes, oil or latex paints adhere well over cabinet contact paper. Thoroughly clean and scuff sand the contact paper before painting. Apply metal primer first, then paint as normal. This allows changing the color again easily.
How durable is contact paper on cabinets?
High quality, adhesive-backed vinyl contact papers are designed for cabinets and high traffic areas. Clean gently with mild cleaner and avoid abrasives. Contact paper holds up better than many paints and provides a protective barrier over the original cabinets.
What kind of paint works best for covering metal cabinets?
Always use metal primer first for best adhesion. Then a high-quality enamel spray paint formulated specifically for metal provides a hard, scratch-resistant finish on metal cabinets. Allow proper curing time before use.
Does chalkboard contact paper really work on cabinets?
Yes, the chalkboard vinyl adheres smoothly to cabinet surfaces while allowing them to be used as a writing surface. “Season” new chalkboard paper by rubbing chalk over the entire surface and wiping clean before using. Chalk wipes away easily.
Can I apply wallpaper directly over metal cabinets?
Yes, apply adhesive-backed wallpaper panels directly onto cleaned and dried metal cabinets for an updated look. Trim neatly at edges and reattach hardware. Use removable wallpaper if you may want to change the look frequently.
How do I get a built-in custom look with existing cabinets?
Installing new overlay frames around the old metal boxes provides a fully finished, custom cabinet look. Attach ready-to-assemble frames or build your own from wood boards and trim to conceal the original boxes. Add new doors and hardware.
So in summary, with some simple materials and DIY skills, you can easily transform the look of outdated metal kitchen or bath cabinets. The possibilities are almost endless for creating a fresh new style affordably. Any of these covering techniques allows you to conceal flaws and change up the look just by applying over the existing metal cabinets.