A new look for an old cupboard

Artwork by Conrad Botes; sofa from Sofacompany; cushions from H&M Home; paint from Duram

Before: We upcycled a wardrobe from a previous DIY project for a fresh take!

You will need

• old cupboard

• pine plank (22mm x 144mm x 1.8m)

• wood glue

• 3 x 40mm chipboard screws

• wood filler

• universal undercoat

• Duram NuGlo in the colours Orange Kloof and Darling White

• rattan mat

• white gaffer tape

Tools

• cordless drill

• flat screwdriver

• pliers

• ruler

• square

• jigsaw

• g-clamps

• pencil

• paintbrush

• cloth

• scissors

• staple gun

Get started...

1. Remove the doors from the cupboard and unscrew the handles

2. We removed the fabric from the doors on our cupboard with a flat screwdriver and pliers.

3. Measure the inside width of the doorframe and mark the same measurement on the pine plank.

4. Draw a line diagonally across the section you measured in step 3 to create two similar triangles.

5. Use a jigsaw to cut out the two triangles. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to cut two more triangles. You need four in total.

6. Drill pilot holes in the corners of the triangles

7. Apply glue to the triangles and screw in place

8. Fill all screw holes and gaps with wood filler and set aside to dry. Once the wood filler has dried, use a damp cloth to remove any excess.

9. Paint the outside of the cupboard and doors with primer and let it dry.

10. Once the primer has dried, paint the cupboard with two coats of Darling White and the doors with two coats of Orange Kloof, letting the paint dry between coats.

11. Cut the rattan mat to fit over the openings in the doorframe. Cut it about 2.5cm bigger than the opening on all sides.

12.  Staple the rattan mat in place, pulling it tight as you go. Stick gaffer tape over the edges of the rattan mat to neaten it up.

13. Screw the door handles back in place and screw the doors back onto the hinges.