Upcycle your old TV cabinet
Before you throw it out, consider giving it a new lease on life by transforming it into a kitchen pantry.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2018/12/tvcabinet_11373_tn.jpg)
Remember the days when your TV cabinet weighed more than all the items in your lounge combined and when the TV that fit into said cabinet had to be lifted by two able-bodied men? Sure you do! You probably still have one of those bulky chunks of wood lying about somewhere, gathering dust.
All you need is a multi-sander, a lick of chalk paint, some bright details and you’re all set.
For the cupboards you will need:
Fired Earth chalk paint (Gauloise Grey).
Fired Earth clear wax.
A multi sander.
Modo universal undercoat.
Modo non-drip gloss enamel (white).
Academy Decorator mock mohair roller and tray.
Cutting-in brush.
Bloc-It painter’s tape.
Door knobs.
Drill and screwdriver.
Steps:
Remove the fittings and put them in a safe place for use later.
Prepare your clean surface by sanding the cabinet with a fine-grit sandpaper (around 120-grit will do), then wipe off dust with a damp cloth.
Apply a single coat of Modo universal undercoat. Allow this to dry overnight.
Paint the inside of the cabinet with Modo non-drip gloss enamel. Give it at least two coats, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly.
Paint the outside of the cabinet and drawers with two coats of Fired Earth chalk paint. Use a roller for the big flat areas. Make sure each coat is completely dry before moving on to the next step.
Now it’s time to seal your surface with wax. Use a soft cloth and rub in a thin layer of the wax. Be careful not to leave lumps of wax. Allow this to dry for eight to 12 hours before applying a second coat.
Once the second coat of wax is dry, buff it to a sheen.
Screw in your new doorknobs.
Reassemble the hinges and hang the doors.
Also read: DIY on display
- For the shelves you will need:
19mm laminated pine shelving.
Dulux wood primer.
Modo non-drip gloss enamel.
Multi-sander.
50mm paintbrush or roller.
Hammer and shelf nails.
Steps:
Pre-measure the inside width and depth of your TV cabinet to get the shelf measurements. When measuring the depth of the cabinet, remember that you need to leave space for the doors to close.
Sand the shelf on all sides, to get a smooth finish, then dust it off thoroughly and wipe with a damp cloth.Raw wood needs to be primed. Use Dulux pink wood primer and give all sides of the shelf a single coat. Leave to dry, ideally overnight. Once the primer is dry, give the shelf a light sand to just smooth over the ‘hairy’ bits.
Paint with two coats of enamel, allowing each coat to dry overnight.
Measure the height at which you’d like to place the shelf and mark, then level it with a spirit level.
Hammer in your shelf nails and fit the shelf.
For the spice caddy you will need:
Spice caddy.
Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch 2x – yellow.
Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch 2x – clear.
Steps:
n Give the spice caddy two coats of spray paint. Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch 2x is super for the job as it’s a painter and primer in one and is suitable for metal, wood and plastic. It’s a good idea to finish with a glaze just to give that added protection. Use Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch 2x clear.
Measure and mark where you want to hang the spice caddy on the inside of a door of the pantry. Level with a spirit level. Drill the holes on your markers and hang the spice caddy.
- For the chalk board you will need:
An old picture frame with inner board.
Modo chalkboard paint – Panther Black
Gecko duct tape – Houndstooth
Brass cup handle.
No More Nails. - Steps:
Remove the backing board from the frame and paint it with Modo chalkboard paint in Panther Black. Once the first coat is dry, apply the second coat. Make your brushstrokes rough so the chalk has something to grip on.
Carefully cover your frame with Gecko duct tape. Cover your frame completely as well and it will still look striking.
Place the painted chalkboard into the frame and secure it snugly behind.
Using No More Nails, adhere your newly framed chalkboard to the inside of the pantry door.
Add a little brass cup handle if you like. No More Nails adhesive will hold it firmly enough.
Information courtesy of Builders Warehouse.
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