Trash to Treasure: Little Green Cabinet Makeover

Love a good trash to treasure makeover? With a little refreshing and the addition of a couple vintage junk inspired details, this shabby green little cabinet goes from ho-hum to nostalgic cute. Great upcycling tips for repurposing vintage finds.

If you’ve been around here for any length of time, you know I’m always on the hunt for vintage finds that could use a little TLC. And green is my favorite color; it always catches my eye. So when I spotted a ramshackle green chippy mini cabinet at a local vintage shop, it had to come home with me (for $12). Here’s how this Trash to Treasure: Little Green Cabinet Makeover got a new vintage junk inspired look!

Trash to Treasure: Little Green Cabinet Makeover

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Vintage Potential; Needs Help

Like most things I find, this little cabinet had POTENTIAL. It was perfectly chippy, but didn’t have a back, which made it almost fall apart when you picked it up. The hinges were loose, too. Mr. Fix-it would say it was fire wood:( But these home made, wonky pieces call to me; they’re my favorite. I’d love to hear their story of who made them and where they’ve been.

First Makeover Steps

I started by sanding all the rough edges with my palm sander and a basic 100 grit sandpaper. I didn’t want to sand off too much of that awesome chippy paint, though. I then scrubbed it up and let it dry in the sun.

Sealing in the Time Worn Character

Once thoroughly dry, I brushed on several coats of my favorite poly (find it HERE). This seals in all the chippiness and also any smells that the wood would have. It also makes it nice and wipeable. I have this on hand at all times because I use it so often.

Adding Vintage Junk Style

I still had cheese box graphics left from doing THIS project. I knew they could be the perfect skinny wood to fit into the back groove of this little green cabinet. Mr. Fix-it cut a little bit off the edges to fit the back perfectly. He simply nailed the pieces in along the whole back side.

Upgrading the Hardware with Junk Style

The little metal knob was less-than. I found a vintage glass knob for a depression-era look that I love. But we needed to move the knob up because the grabber was there. We put a better screw in the grabber to tighten it. To hide the former hole, we put an old brass key behind the glass knob. Great junky look! Get more Creative Tips for Using Vintage and Vintage-Inspired Hardware HERE.

Trash to Treasure Little Green Cabinet

I love how this little cutie turned out! Perfectly junky and shabby with the extra cuteness of old graphics and hardware in different textures.

Display a Collection in a Little Cabinet

All along I was thinking this would be the perfect little cabinet to display my vintage restaurant ware creamer collection. It’s been growing;) The styling is almost as fun as giving the cabinet a makeover.

“Practically perfect in every way” (Mary Poppins).

You can find all my favorite Vintage Reviver’s products HERE.

Hope this Trash to Treasure: Little Green Cabinet Makeover inspired you to see the potential in old finds! If you enjoyed your visit, be sure to Become an Insider so I can send the ideas right to you! You can Sign Up HERE.

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