Upcycle A Thrifted Cabinet Into The Perfectly Aesthetic Pantry Of Your Dreams

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Storage can be hard to come by, especially in a kitchen. Whether you live in a tiny apartment or need to accommodate a large family, the perfect storage solution can be found at your local thrift store—if you're willing to throw in a little elbow grease. Upcycling a cabinet, bookcase, wardrobe, or other freestanding storage unit is a budget-friendly way to organize your kitchen if you don't have a pantry that provides you with extra space.

Before heading to the thrift store, determine where you'd like your cabinet and measure the maximum space of the area. Bringing these measurements along ensures you won't buy something too tall or too wide to fit. Once you're at the thrift store, keep an open mind — a TV console can be repurposed as easily as a bookshelf or cabinet, and if the style of the piece is not to your taste, some minor adjustments — such as adding or removing the legs — can make any item a perfect addition to your home.

To begin, place your thrifted find in an open, well-ventilated space. With a microfiber cloth or an old t-shirt, clean the surface with a mixture of water and soap — preferably oil soap if you're working with wood. Then, wipe the soapy water mixture off with fresh water and a clean cloth. If there's still a residue lingering on the piece, treat the affected area with mineral spirits, letting the spirits dry completely before moving forward.

Regardless of the furniture's material, you'll need to sand it down before painting or staining, beginning with 120-grit sandpaper and moving up no higher than 240, though 120 alone is often sufficient. This roughens the surface, allowing the new finish to adhere better once it dries. If you're working with metal, any pesky rust can be removed with a wire brush or an oxalic acid-based cleaner, like Bar Keeper's Friend.

Using a paint or stain that matches your existing cabinetry can help the new addition blend in, but this may also be a great opportunity to add an accent piece, as an accent color can fix an outdated kitchen instantly. If you're painting the thrifted cabinet, choose your color and go for a satin, semi-gloss, or high-gloss finish, which will make the piece more durable and easier to clean. If you're staining a wood piece, top off the finish with at least one coat of polyurethane, a synthetic resin that protects the wood from physical damage and unwanted staining from spilled sauces or cooking grease.

Now that you've given a thrifted cabinet new life, it's time to make it work for your kitchen. Line the inside with contact paper to make sure whatever you're putting inside doesn't damage the fresh finish you've worked so hard on. Then, add storage solutions like spice racks, turntables, and baskets, such as this SpaceAid Spice Rack and these Goodpick Baskets for Organizing. Plate racks and stemware holders make great additions for those looking to expand or revamp their dishware storage. For storing dry goods, consider investing in reusable containers to improve the longevity of your food and add an aesthetic touch. If you're on a budget, clean and remove the labels from used glass jars and use them to store things such as rice or dry beans.

If your cabinet has glass doors and you're not eager to show off your snacks and plates, add a decorative window film. Choosing the right window film to fit your style can make a difference in your home, providing privacy and beauty. Regardless of how you use your cabinet, it can make a massive difference in your kitchen, both organizationally and aesthetically, while still remaining within your budget.