Updating 90’s honey cabinets with this DIY bathroom cabinet makeover.
Styles, like everything else, change. Style doesn’t. – Linda Ellerbee
Do you remember when honey cabinets were all the rage?
Well, the Mister’s mom was so OVER IT for her home. It was like so like 1990…REALLY!
She decided to go darker in the bathroom cabinet.
For a surprise, we went over to the house while she was out of town to do a bathroom cabinet makeover.
SUPPLIES
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|HERE ARE OUR 20 JAVA STAIN TIPS|
MAKEOVER CABINET INSTRUCTIONS
- Remove all doors and faceplate.
- Tape off any areas needed.
- Lightly sand the cabinet. Really it doesn’t take very much sanding which is what makes the java stain so amazing. You are just taking a little of the shine off.
- Apply the stain in light even coats-waiting 12-24 hours before each repeat application. You can do as many coats to get the darkness you like.
- With a new foam brush, apply top coat (we did 2 applications).
SALVAGE TIP – Place your foam brush in a zip bag until your next coat.
This really was so easy. It came down to waiting for more than anything else…oh and taping off!
And the best part………the Mother-In-Law loves it!
This certainly is a penny-pinching solution.
A new vanity/cabinet would have run hundreds of dollars.
|YOU CAN SEE THE MIRROR MAKEOVER WE DID FOR THIS ROOM HERE|
This cost around $15 ish as we didn’t come close to using up the container of java stain.
She liked it so much another cabinet was done…
Adding some new hardware really makes a nice update to the 90’s honey cabinets.
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I love them. Just did my stair rail, time to do the cabinets.
Susan, Isn’t it the best process? Thanks for your comment!
I have TONS of cabinets in my home. I’ve wanted to go darker, but wasn’t sure how to do it because I didn’t want to paint. I have that honey colored cabinet with poly urethane on them. Would this process work?
Shannon recently posted…Updating a Vase
Shannon, this stuff seems to work on it all. I would try the back of a door or something just to test it.
Gorgeous!
Thanks so much!
Considering doing all the cabinets In my living quarters horse trailer and there are a lot of them in a comparably cramped space. Removing all the cabinet doors will allow me to do them out in the open and just the inside trim to do inside. I am definitely doing something to get rid of the honey oak and go with the easiest way to do so. I have also considered painting them using a sprayer and a small roller on the trim. Any suggestions will be much appreciated!
Hi Kathe, Yes, removing the doors would be helpful to do all at once. If you are using gel stain, here is a post we did with tips on it: https://www.salvagesisterandmister.com/java-gel-stain-tips/
Oh, and just to let you know there are different colors of stain too. I hope this helps.
Hi wanting to go gray with the gel stain, vanity is honey oak do you that it will cover?
Thank, Kim
I do. My mother in law used the grey on a cabinet and it turned out great. Be sure to sand a bit and I would test an area first.
Hi, did you wipe all yours off after 30 seconds like it said? We did and did two coats and so far am NOT impressed. But I want to love it so much!!! I hate these honey colored atrocities.
Hi Brandi,
The java stain? I used a foam brush and applied in light coats. I have a 20 java stain post that maybe will help. I did about 3-4 coats and then the topcoat and really love it. It’s so smooth and seamless.
Hi love it..I used a gel stain on my kitchen cabinets they are laminate… most doors came out nice.. a couple eh think i was heavy handed with the application on a few..Any suggestions? Thanks… I used a dark gel stain. thanks
It can happen Susan. Just take your time, and work quickly so you can hopefully fix any mistakes quickly.
Hi,
I have a lot of honey oak cabinets in my kitchen and want to change the color but I don’t want to go darker as it is sort of narrow and I don’t want to close it in.
Do you have any suggestions?
Thank you!
The skies the limit. You just have to really find what you like. We love Pinterest for getting ideas.
Do you think you could use a liquid sanding product instead of sanding?
Hi Darlene,
I personally don’t have experience with a liquid sanding product, but I will say that the little sanding block recommended is easy to use and very quick. I hope that helps.