The Stylish Way To Conceal Clutter In Your Glass Cabinets

Glass cabinets provide the opportunity to showcase certain items like fine china, trophies, or decorative items, but not everyone wants their cabinet contents exposed. This is especially true if your items lean more toward the "cluttered" category or if they get moved around a lot, and you don't want to take time every day to organize them. Sure, you could completely replace the glass doors with solid ones, but if you want to exercise some creativity, give your glass cabinet doors a stylish upgrade with spray paint. Alternatively, you can create a similar effect with washi tape or metallic markers.

Depending on which method you choose, you might have to remove the cabinet doors to decorate them, so be sure you have the required removal tools on hand, if necessary. Also, if you'll be working with spray paint (which will definitely require door removal), it's best to work outside or in a well-ventilated area and with drop cloths or a few old towels in your work area.

Nowadays, you'll find dozens of different spray paint types on store shelves that can be used on glass. One option is a mirrored mercury glass look, as DIYer Mia Volk demonstrates in an Instagram reel. To mimic her low-cost creation (expect to spend roughly $30 on supplies), you'll need Krylon Looking Glass Silver-Like Aerosol Spray Paint, a spray bottle with water in it, and painter's tape. 

First, remove the cabinet doors and place them face down in your work area. Don't forget to lay down a drop cloth or towels. Cover the wood on the doors with painter's tape, and spray the glass with a couple of mists of water. Then, generously spray the Krylon spray on the glass. Add Rub 'n Buff Wax for a metallic finish, or, if you fancy a more solid reflective look, skip the wax and spray bottle steps. You also have the option to use a metallic spray like Rust-Oleum Bright Coat Gloss Metallic Spray Paint in place of the looking glass spray.

Not a fan of the mercury glass or reflective appearance, and prefer a more sparkly or glittery look? Use a glitter spray paint instead, like Krylon Glitter Blast. This makes for a shimmery, reflective surface that's especially cute in a room with matching-color sequin throw pillows.

Spray paint can be fun to work with, but it comes with a couple of downsides, including the harmful vapors. Its permanence could also be seen as a disadvantage. If you think you'll want to change the appearance of your reflective or metallic-looking glass cabinets periodically to hide the clutter, opt for the washi tape or marker route instead of paint.

This decorative tape is made with a low-tack adhesive made from rice paper commonly used for crafts, so washi tape can easily be used as decor, including on glass cabinet doors. With this option, you don't have to remove the doors or get drop cloths. Washi tape comes in a variety of metallic and reflective colors and styles, including standard foil, holographic foil, glitter, and iridescent. It's very commonly available at craft stores and major online retailers like Amazon. You'll likely need to apply multiple strips to cover the entire glass on each door, but the tape comes in various widths. Apply it all in the same direction, or spice it up and apply it in multiple directions.

Another no-paint option to create a metallic look on your glass cabinet doors is metallic markers — permanent or washable. Permanent will obviously last longer, but it can still be removed with nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol. Draw straight lines (use a ruler if necessary), dots, circles, or the design of your choice. Just be sure not to leave any large gaps, since the goal is to cover the glass to hide what's behind it.