EASY VANITY MAKEOVER
Getting tired of all that builder's grade oak? Don't have the budget to replace or reface? It's an easy project for just about anyone if you have the time and inclination. Below is an example of how a little bit of change goes a long way.
Before
An oil based stain was used for this project instead of paint. Stain gives cheap looking cabinets a richer look and is easy to work with. It does smell and takes a bit longer to dry than paint but the look is worth it. As it drys, it gets tacky, so you can keep brushing until you get the look and finish you are pleased with and any imperfections look natural. This color is Sherwin Williams Bistro Walnut.
So how much did this project cost and how long did it take? Here's the breakdown.
SW Bistro Walnut 1 quart $28 (over half left for touchups down the road)
Paint Brush $1.79
Sponge .99 cents
5 x Brushed Nickle Drawer pulls @ 2.44 each
Painters Tape $2.67
Fine Grit Sand Block $3.67
Labor 6 Hours includes sanding, coating and in between coat drying.
Total = $49.32, yes that's right, less than $50.
Always work in a well covered and ventelated area. You don't want dust bunnies and bugs in your stain and you don't want to pass out from the fumes! Make sure to poly coat your stain if using it in areas like kitchens and baths. Poly can be purchased in a variety of glosses.
This makeover will be complete once the old track light is replaced. There are many styles to choose from under $100 or even clearance if you look hard enough!
AccentPositives provides effective and economical Home Staging consultations on site and online. We are located in Corona and service the Inland Empire area of Southern California. Call 951 833 8529.
Ana- great tip and I liked how you broke down the costs INCLUDING how much time it took.
Ana, How beautiful! What a great tip, thanks for sharing. Consider yourself "bookmarked".
Ana!
You know what, I think you have truly advanced color perception, and the guts to use it. Every time you do something with color, I am always very impressed. And I am not easily impressed!
No one could top this for under $50. You made it look like $1500.
You are brilliant in my book.
~Michelle
Hi Kathy, thanks for commenting, not everything needs to cost an arm and a leg if you are willing to put in your own time.
Hi Donna, thanks and happy staining!
Ana ~ What a huge and economical update! Did you have to sand in between coats of stain? How many coats did these cabinets take?
I cannot wait to try this-seriously!! It is just dynamic!! Thank you for sharing-fabulous!!
Nice transformation. It's amazing what you can do to rehab good quality cabinets.
What an improvement for such a common problem. Thank you for sharing Ana!
Well now... you made that look like a million bucks! The black is so much better and far more sophisticated. What a great improvement.
Kathy
Wow, Ana, that is a very dramatic update! The vanity now looks like it came right out of the latest Pottery Barn catalog. Thanks for sharing the "how to" info with us.
Michelle, thanks so much, coming from you that means a lot!
Maureen, I did only one light sanding. Working in track homes, I am sure you have found the quality of work can be lacking. The top coat of poly on these cabinets was very thin and virtually non existant. A light grit was sufficient to get rid of it and any stuck on gunkies! I sponged on the first coat and brushed on a second and played with it after it got tacky.
Cathy, thanks and thanks for popping in :)
Charles, thanks for commenting. It is easy with just a bit of elbow grease.
Michelle H. yes, a sea of oak in so many homes. It is so BORING!
Hi Kathy, thanks for commenting
Diana, you are welcome and thanks for commenting.
Ana: This inexpensive upgrade made the vanity look new and as if the whole bathroom had been renovated. Brilliant idea and well written post. Thanks!
Hi Anna, love, love, love the updated look you created with the blah oak! Thanks for including all the steps, I particularly like how you told us to get rid of the gunkies :) This posted is bookmarked for sure!
That looks so much better and completely updates the look. Thanks for sharing
What a difference Ana! You did a great job in choosing the stain and the outcome is wonderful. I see way too many of the exact same cabinets here and can't wait for an opportunity to try it out. Thanks for the cost/time breakdown as well.
Michelle, Thanks so much, I can't wait to put the light up!
Cynthia, aren't bathroom gunkies the scariest, my kids bathroom has me running for the hills when I work up the courage to go in! :) Thanks
Hi Lori, Thanks for stopping by to comment
Hi Debra, your so welcome and thanks very much, I forgot to add if you are messy like me, mineral spirits will get all the stain of your hands, feet and legs! I was dumb, I did this in shorts....
That vanity really looks rich now Ana! You're right, you see that oak vanity everywhere. I've recommended clients paint them in a coffee color, but I really like the idea of the stain. Thanks for the color and breakdown. I bookmarked you too!
Great post Ana! Love the new look! You are bookmarked :)
Thanks Cathy, it can be such a big change for so little money but it is hard to talk people into doing it.
Hi Wendy, have fun with it!
Fabulous, It looks amazing and so inexpensive. gret job.
Thanks Kimberley :)
You just taught an old dog a new trick. I am very impressed! I never knew you could simply sand those oak cabinets and stain them. I've been painting them with Melamine paint all of these years. Bravo! And thank you!
What a transformation. I will keep this in mind for future jobs.
The results are amazing! I kept going back to the Before picture, to confirm that only the cabinet color had changed.
Everything else was the same, yet the cabinet change makes every other aspect of the area look richer. (I'd love to see the new light!)
Thanks for the detailed directions and budget!
Great job Ana. I LOVE these cheap makeovers. In fact most makeovers can be done for very little.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Hi Laurie, the green had to stay so I just had to work with it. Sometimes you can end up with the best results with just a little tweek. The green looks richer and not like pea soup any longer:)
Hi Michelle, Thanks, I get inspired by all the makeovers I can catch here on AR:) As you said little changes can make all the difference without major cost:)
Hi Allegra, don't know how I missed your and Susan's comments but thanks and how's the ebook coming along?
Hi Susan, try it it's super easy:)
Ana