Distressed kitchen cabinets are very popular right now. They look great in many kitchen styles, and many manufacturers sell cabinets in this popular look. Any color can be distressed, but black distressed kitchen cabinets are the most popular. Depending on your decor, these cabinets look chic or elegant.
How To Disress Kitchen Cabinets
If the existing cabinets are good structurally but need updated, distressing them can give them a new life and save a lot of money. If the remodeling must be done on a budget and the cabinets need replaced, look for used kitchen cabinets to distress.
To distress cabinets, first select two paint colors. One color will be the main color of the cabinets, and the other color will be the color that will show through where they are distressed. If the cabinets are already a light color, they may only need one coat of paint.
Paint all cabinets with the base color if desired. Let dry completely before applying the top color. When dry, distress using sandpaper on rough edges and around hardware. These areas are touched more often, so sanding off the top color makes them look like they have been worn by years of use. Use sandpaper to make worn areas in random places on the doors.
For a very distressed look, use a hammer and nails to create small holes on the doors and cabinetry. The holes should be shallow and grouped in small areas. For deep scratches, use a car or house key to gouge the wood. Strike the wood with a padlock to create larger dings and dents in the wood.
To create distressed white kitchen cabinets, do not use a base coat on the cabinets. After the cabinets are sanded, the natural color of the wood will show through.
Once the cabinets have been distressed, seal with a clear varnish. This protects them from unintentional damage. They will also be easier to clean if food or grease splatters on them while cooking.
Pre-manufactured Distressed Cabinets
Some manufacturers sell cabinets already distressed. They are available in many colors, but it may be harder to find the exact combination for the room. For a complete remodel, the rest of the decor and woodwork can be bought to match the cabinets if desired.
Country or Elegant
Distressed kitchen cabinets are very versatile in that they can be used in both country and an elegant kitchen or bathroom. French country and Tuscan inspired kitchens especially look great with this style of cabinetry, but with the right accessories, they look very elegant. Black distressed kitchen cabinets tend to look more elegant than white. Distressed white cabinets are more often seen in a country kitchen.
Distressed cabinets are not just limited to the kitchen. They also look great in a bathroom or laundry room. They may need to be distressed by hand to ensure getting the right sized cabinet for the area. Again, these cabinets look great with a country bathroom or an elegant room with bronze or silver fixtures.
