Refresh Your Worn Wood Cabinets With A Dipped Paint Makeover

You're making a cup of coffee in the morning and, as you turn away from the kitchen counter, there they are: those worn wooden cabinets you keep meaning to do something with. Maybe you want to do something a little more creative than just a straightforward wood stain, but what? Fortunately for you, there's a lot of fun ways to bring new life to worn wood cabinets. One of our favorites is the YouTube channel Faff Designs' dipped paint makeover.

The dipped paint look is a fun way to bring color and texture to a piece you love while preserving the beauty of the wood and design. It's great for easily revitalizing thrifted furniture as well because it helps any piece fit right into your home's style. To get started, make sure you have a well-ventilated space to work in, then gather your supplies. You'll need a vacuum cleaner, a few towels, and mineral spirits or denatured alcohol to clean the piece. You'll also need your preferred wood stain, painter's tape, fine grit sandpaper, a clear top coat like furniture wax, a small to medium paintbrush, and your chosen paint to create the dipped paint effect. Check the paint's label to make sure it's compatible with wood; generally, oil-based or latex paints will work for this project.

First, prep the piece for refurbishing. Dust it thoroughly inside and out, strip away any wax, remove all hardware, then clean the wood with mineral spirits or denatured alcohol. Let it dry fully, then sand the piece down. Apply your stain — don't forget the insides of the cupboard doors — and let it dry overnight. You can then add a second coat if needed, and let it dry.

Next, decide where you want the color to start and mark a straight line across the furniture with a pencil or chalk. Carefully press the painter's tape along the mark to create a paint line. Paint a light layer of clear coat on the bottom edge of the tape to fully seal it. Let it dry, then apply color from the tape down to the base with a brush. Let dry, repeat as needed, then remove the tape while still wet. After the piece is dry, finish with a clear coat.

Dipped paint is a fun look, so don't be afraid to play with colors or change up the paint lines. Consider adding the best metallic gold paint for furniture to bring shimmer into the room or even fade the color in one direction to create a beautiful ombré effect. You can even play with the dip line — instead of using a straight line, try a diagonal, a slight wave, or even a curve to accent the beauty of the piece. If you can't decide on one color, layer them on for a unique color-blocked look.