A great way to elevate your kitchen on a small budget is by upcycling old furniture!
You can find great steals on both lightly-used an stalwart furniture in op shops, second-hand stores and even the odd garage sale. Better yet, the internet has become a virtual playground where you can hunt for that piece of decor or item that fits just right into your home’s style.
In this DIY, Adam and Juliet use a vintage cabinet and off-the-shelf timber to create beautiful custom kitchen storage. Let’s dive right into the easy steps, and you’ll have your upcycled cupboard ready in no time!
Gather your supplies
- 2400 x 89 x 19mm dressed pine
- 2400 x 1200 x 12mm plywood pine
- 2200 x 600 x 26mm pine panel
- 65mm benchtop connectors
You’ll also need
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Mitre saw
- Drill
- Brad nailer
- 8G countersink bit
- 30mm screws; pencil
- Combination square
- Track saw
- 80-grit sandpaper
- PVA glue
- Whitewash
- Paintbrush
- 35mm forstner bit
- Hand saw
- Chisel
- Router
Safety notes
Use appropriate safety gear and clothing when operating power tools, handling chemicals or when exposed to dust or vapours. Hair should be tied back at all times.
Step 1
Measure furniture piece to determine infill requirements. Strengthen loose joints with predrilled and countersunk screws.
Step 2
Adjust height of furniture piece as required to accommodate Infill box. Predrill and screw furniture to adjoining piece with screws.
Step 3
To make a kickstrip, use a mitre saw to cut dressed pine to width of furniture piece. Attach with brad nailer.
Step 4
To build an Infill box, measure, mark and cut all components (see list below) with tape measure, combination square, pencil and track saw. Sand sawn edges with 80-grit paper.
Step 5
With the Base face up, apply PVA to back and both side edges. Attach Sides flush to edge of Base. Predrill 3 equally spaced holes through both Sides and into Base, insert screws and tighten. Attach Back to Base with top edge flush with Sides, and 20mm overhang at bottom edge.
Predrill 3 equally spaced holes through Back and into Base, insert screws and tighten. Apply PVA to both ends of Top strip, attach to Sides, flush to front edge. Predrill 2 holes through both Sides and into Top strip, insert screws, tighten.
Apply 2 coats whitewash to inside of Infill box, allow to dry after coats.
Step 6
Install Infill box on top with 30mm screws. Attach from underside of furniture top and into Base.
Step 7
Use dressed pine cut-to-size as infills for gaps between furniture pieces. Attach with brads.
Step 8
For benchtop, cut pine panels to suit with track saw, connect end-to- end or in butt joint with PVA and connectors. Bore holes with forstner bit, then cut straight section for screws with hand saw and chisel. Round edges with router and secure with screws from underside of cabinet.
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