I found a filing cabinet at Goodwill awhile back for just .99 cents, so of course I brought it home. Functionally, it was exactly what I needed. Aesthetically, not so much. Last week, it was finally time to give the cabinet #thefroscheffect.
I removed the hardware before I took a before picture, but it basically looked like every single other metal filing cabinet you’ve ever seen–you get the idea.
I washed scuff marks with a sponge and Pine-sol, but that was the only prep work I did.
As I always do, I made my own chalk paint with BB Frösch Chalk Paint Powder. I had my local Home Depot paint guy mix a sample jar of Behr paint in Benjamin Moore’s “Pacific Grove Pink.” Most Home Depot paint counters have the color formulas for other paint brands, which makes it super convenient to get whatever color chalk paint I want! I also used a can of leftover Rustoleum Metallic gold spray paint.
I also used four table legs I found at Home Depot for this project. They cost about $3 each.
I marked and drilled holes on the underside of the cabinet so I could screw the legs in after everything was painted.
After removing the hardware and drilling the holes, I painted one thin coat using cross-hatch strokes. Cross-hatch strokes help with the self-leveling properties of chalk paint so that the subsequent coat(s) will settle in for a nice, smooth finish. The first coat should be thin and won’t look like awesome coverage, but it is important when painting metal (or other less-porous surfaces) to simply get a thin coat of paint on and not overwork your brush. Overworking your brush or trying to paint too thick of a coat will lift your paint as you go.
After I painted the first coat, it occurred to me that it would be easier to paint without the drawers in place, so I looked up a video on youtube. Turns out, removing filing cabinet drawers is embarrassingly simple! Just press up on the bar on the underside of the drawer as you pull the drawer out, and it will slide out easily!
Even though chalk paint dries super quickly, when it comes to painting metal, it helps to give extra dry time so the paint can fully cure. So, while waiting for the paint to bond and cure, I painted the legs and hardware with a coat of chalk paint as well. This acts as a bonding coat for the spray paint that would otherwise easily peel off.
Once the layer of chalk paint on the legs and hardware was dry, I sprayed one coat of gold spray paint over everything.
I did not seal the gold pieces with finishing wax because using a wax brush can dull the sheen. Instead, I applied two thin coats of Minwax polyacrylic.
I painted the second coat after about an hour and decided to wait until the next morning to touch up any areas that needed a third coat. Waiting the extra day made a huge difference for the paint to bond! I gave a quick pass over the whole cabinet with 400 grit sandpaper to give it a nice, smooth finish.
Then, I waxed with BB Frösch Premium Clear Premium Finishing Wax.
And, just like that, I have a super cute new filing cabinet to go with the sign in my office!
If you are like me and prefer a video tutorial, hop over to youtube and watch the process here.
The whole project cost less than $20–filing cabinet and legs included!
Definitely one of my quickest, most affordable and all-around favorite makeovers to-date!
For more affordable chalk paint inspiration at bbfrosch.com. Follow BB Frösch on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Learn to chalk paint like a pro with one of our online hands-on workshops here.
What a great idea to gave up wearing draft file cabinet such a great makeover. I’m going to take that tip from you and do it tomorrow. Thank you!
FIESTA!!! 🙂
I love this makeover! I can’t believe you only paid $0.99 for the filing cabinet! What a find!
I got mine for free when they got new at work but i see old metal file cabinets in thrift shops all the time.
it’s perfect!
Who knew a filing cabinet could look so beautiful?! Love the addition of the legs. I’m looking at my sticker covered filing cabinet right now and other than removing the gobs of stickers, raising it up with legs would be awesome and almost like it would extend my desktop surface 🙂 Pinned!
I’m obsessed with this! I have the Mid-century legs and mounts, and am currently shopping for a vintage file cabinet. However, how did you mount the legs to the bottom of the cabinet?? Did you use a wood plank underneath? Thanks!
Brandy–
I drilled holes into the bottom of the cabinet then screwed the legs in. There is a picture in the blog post that shows the drilled holes.
How tall are he legs?
How did you remove the spring lock mechanism on the cabinet
The legs are a great idea, love that.
What is the difference between chalk paint and flat paint? Looks and feels the same to me.
Annie–
Great question! Flat paint is just regular paint without any chalk paint properties. Chalk paint contains bonding agents that allow the paint to be applied to most surfaces WITHOUT prep work. Flat paint, without the addition of BB Frösch Chalk Paint Powder, would not bond to your piece well. Additionally, chalk paint has properties that allow it to be manipulated–ie distressed, wet-distressed, thinned to be used like a stain, etc.
Hope this helps!
Kristin
I chalked paint my file cabinet with a light color wanted to use a topcoat over it (used a lot). do you know something I can use that is for metal and not wood? Somebody suggest using polycrylic but the can says it is for wood. Do you know if I can use on metal? Thank you
You can use a poly on chalk painted metal, but you won’t be able to spot repair, should damage occur. You can spot repair, but it will be noticeable. I waxed my cabinet, and I am careful about the way I treat it, but it is holding up great!
Thanks Kristin ,Wonderful!!! I love the step by step .thank you again !!! 🙂
How much chalk powder do you mix in a sample jar of paint? (That is what I’m supposed to do right?) Thanks! It’s such a pretty file cabinet.
For a sample jar of paint (8 oz.) you will use two heaping tablespoons on BB Frösch Chalk Paint Powder. Make sure the sample jar is FLAT (not all sample jars are flat.) You don’t have to use a sample jar, however. If you purchase a quart or gallon, I still recommend starting by mixing 8 oz. (1 Cup) at a time because you can always mix more if you need more, and smaller quantities are easier to mix.
Thank you!!
I love the way you refinished your file cabinet! The color is perfect and the added legs are practical. Wish you’d finish more and sell them :-))
Ahhhh thank you! xoxo
I love this makeover and I’ve been trying to add legs to my file cabinets. What drill bit did you use to get a hole in the metal?
Can I use chalk paint that is already mixed (not using the powder)? You have really I’mspired me to paint my classrrom super ugly filing cabinets. My husband also has a questtion…Can I paint the file cabibet while its standing up? Or do I have to lay it on its side so the paint doesn’t run?
Thank you,
Amy
I love this! Did you have any issues with the stability of the filing cabinet once you added the legs? I had a decent 2 drawer filing cabinet that would tip slightly when I opened the top drawer. I wondered if adding legs to it would make it more likely to tip (or threaten to tip)
The legs haven’t caused any issues with stability. It is still holding up like a champ!
This turned out so cute! I have a four-drawer filing cabinet I want to paint, but thought I’d have to spray it because it’s so big, and the current weather is not amenable! You painting yours with brush changed my mind, even though my cabinet is twice as big, I think I’ll try brushing it anyway! I’ve had Bbfrosch powder for 4 years and need to crack it open and finally use it! Thanks for the pretty inspiration! 🙂
I just ordered the supplies for the chalk paint and am excited to do this! I have a black file cabinet. Any recommendations for priming it before I do the chalk paint? Assuming the black file cabinet will need primed so the pink will really be pink, yes?
I LOVE this. I have two 2-drawer cabinets in my home office and they are “Bland”. What a makeover you did. I may tackle this soon!! Thank you! So so clever!
Hi Kristin,
I love your filing cabinet makeover! It is incredibly creative and so well executed!
I’m looking forward to doing a similar transformation on my two filing cabinets soon, and if you don’t mind, I have a few questions about some of your steps…
What kind of drill bit did you use to drill through the metal?
And, what did you put your filing cabinet on while you were painting?
Thanks so much for your help and for the inspiration!
So glad you love it! I don’t have fancy drill bits–just an inexpensive regular set. I just used the size that bolt for the legs would fit through. While painting, I just put the filing cabinet on my table that had a drop cloth over it. I often put pieces on a small dolly to paint so I can easily move it around. I just use the $5 little dollies from Harbor Freight. Hope this helps!
Thank you for answering so quickly Kristin! I really appreciate all of your advice and tips. You have been unbelievably helpful!
Can’t wait to get started!
All the best,
Jen
Simple and stunning transformation! Thanks for sharing. Carolina at Hamilton Billiards.
This is a wonderful tutorial! I am gonna donmy file with chalk paint but the decoupage the front of the drawers! Won’t that be great!?
Hi Kristin, I just wanted to know if the chalk paint will have the same effect on a wood cabinet. I found one on Offer Up, but it’s wood. I would love this color since my office already has chairs this color.
Candice–
Absolutely! In fact, it’s even easier to paint wood than metal with BB Frösch!
Hi Kristin! My name is Lisa. I am absolutely in love with your filing cabinet makeover! I thought it was such a good idea that I posted your work on my blog. Please check out : http://www.thedesigndiaries.ca . Like, follow and share! I will definitely be keeping an eye on what’s next for you too! You have a creative talent:)
Would this work if the filing cabinet is black? I love what you did.
Absolutely! Just be sure to add enough powder. It may take an extra coat of paint if your are going with a lighter color.
Do I use my lint free rag to buff the filing cabinet or something else?I am doing my school filing cabinets! Almost ready to wax!
Way to go on your filing cabinet makeover! Yes, use any lint free cloth to buff!