Achieving a distressed look on your kitchen or bathroom cabinets can add character and personality to your space. The distressed look is a popular trend in interior design, which gives the impression of age and wear to a piece of furniture, creating a rustic, vintage, or farmhouse-style look. In this blog post, we will walk you through the steps of achieving this look on your cabinets.
Overview of the steps involved in achieving a distressed look
There are multiple steps you must undertake to make sure the cabinets turn out the way you want. You don’t want to skip any of the steps below. Otherwise, you may regret the whole process.
Preparing the Cabinet
First, prepare the cabinets by cleaning them thoroughly and sanding them to create a smooth surface to the paint to adhere to. It is important to use fine-grit sandpaper to avoid leaving deep scratches on the surface.
Once the cabinet is clean and sanded, apply a coat of primer to help the paint adhere better and improve the durability of the finish.
Choosing the Paint Color
Distressed cabinets are often painted in a light neutral or pastel color, such as white, light gray, or light blue. However, dark colors look great also.
When it comes to achieving a distressed look on your cabinets, the best type of paint to use is water-based paint, specifically acrylic paint. Acrylic paint is known for its durability, easy cleanup, and low odor, making it a great option for painting cabinets.
Acrylic paint also dries quickly and has a smooth finish, which makes it easy to distress and create the look of age and wear. Additionally, most acrylic paints are water-based, which is low in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) which is an added advantage, as it can be a healthier option for you and the environment.
Another type of paint that is often used for a distressed look is Chalk paint, which is a water-based paint that is known for its ability to be easily distressed. Chalk paint is also great for creating a vintage, rustic look and it can be applied over almost any surface, including wood, metal, and glass.
It’s worth noting that both acrylic and chalk paints can be used as a base coat, and then you can use a glaze or a wax for the topcoat to achieve different looks.
In summary, when it comes to achieving a distressed look on your cabinets, the best type of paint to use is water-based paint, specifically acrylic paint or Chalk paint. These types of paint are known for their durability, easy cleanup, and ability to be easily distressed, which makes them perfect for creating a vintage, rustic look.
Painting and Distressing the Cabinets
Once you have chosen your paint color, apply the first coat of paint and let it dry completely. Doing it yourself can be tricky but rewarding at the same time, especially if this is your first DIY paint job.
To distress the paint and create the look of age and wear, use different tools such as sandpaper, a wire brush, or a putty knife to create dents, scratches, and wear marks on the surface of the cabinet. You can also use different techniques such as sponging or ragging to create a more subtle distressed look.
Once you are satisfied with the level of distressing, apply a second coat of paint to seal and protect the surface. Once the second coat is dry, it’s time to finish the cabinet by applying a sealer or topcoat to protect the paint and make it more durable.
You can also add hardware or other decorative elements to the cabinet if desired.
Finally, to maintain the distressed look, make sure to clean your cabinets gently and avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaning tools. Distressed cabinets require a little more care to maintain their appearance, but the result is well worth the extra effort.
In conclusion, painting cabinets to achieve a distressed look is a great way to add character and personality to your space. The process is not complicated and can be done over a weekend. With a little patience and some creativity, you can create a beautiful rustic, vintage, or farmhouse-style look that will be the focal point of your kitchen or bathroom. Don’t be afraid to experiment and play with different techniques to achieve the perfect look for your space.