Give Glass Windows A Luxe Antique Mercury Finish With This Budget-Friendly DIY

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Whether it's a hutch, television cabinet, or armoire, we all have those windowed cupboard doors that tend to show guests a little too much of what we'd rather hide from view. Finding methods to conceal and simultaneously add intrigue and elegance to these storage units is a tall order, but we've got the answer — the subtle, yet luxe look of mercury glass. It's just what you need to turn any generic transparent door into an antique dream, and you can achieve the look without any highly toxic chemical elements.

The hack to achieving this silvered look is in strategically layering mirror effect and bronze spray paint. If you're looking for ways to give glass cabinet doors a stylish upgrade without breaking the bank, this is a great budget option. No need to replace furniture, or buy new glass inserts; you just make them yourself. The mercury glass concept isn't new, and it really has little to do with the element itself. The look is typically achieved using silver nitrate to add depth to tableware and other decor. In this case, you'll use spray paint instead.

To start on this affordable antiquing DIY, you need to pick up a can of reflective spray paint like Rust-Oleum mirror effect paint, as well as a metallic color such as Rust-Oleum metallic bronze paint. Along with the color, you'll need a spray bottle, water, and vinegar. Once these materials are gathered, you're ready to learn how to give your cabinet an inexpensive window pane makeover. The process is fairly easy, but requires a little bit of patience.

Remove the glass from the panes if possible. If not, tape off the areas you don't want to get paint on. Mix 1 part vinegar with 1 part water in a spray bottle and spritz the inside of the glass. Let it dry completely, before repeating three or four times. This step involves a bit of guess work because it's all about preference. Once you like the look of the residue spots, it's time to embrace the stylish way to conceal clutter in your glass cabinets by painting them. Start with the mirror finish and then complete the look with a layer of bronze. The vinegar and water keep the reflective paint from settling smoothly on the glass, creating the mercury effect, and a gorgeous antique finish to your windowed doors for less.