How to Decorate a Metal Filing Cabinet

While metal filing cabinets are great for keeping an office or room organized, they do not add much to the look of the room.  There are several easy steps you can take to transform a plain metal filing cabinet into a new decorative piece for your office.

Items Needed

• Drawer handles


• Metal primer


• Mineral spirits


• Spray paint

Decorating

1. Use a screwdriver to remove the drawer handles from the metal filing cabinet.


2. Use a soft cloth dipped in mineral spirits to remove any grease and dirt from the filing cabinet.


3. Find a primer that is made for use on metal, and cover the entire metal filing cabinet with a layer of primer.


4. Wait until the primer has dried completely.


5. Decide what color you would like to paint your filing cabinet.  You may wish to choose a color that goes with the rest of the room, or a bright, unique color that will stand out.


6. Use a can of spray paint in your chosen color to spray an even coat of paint over the entire cabinet.


7. Wait until the first coat of paint has dried, and spray paint a second coat over the entire cabinet.


8. Find new, decorative drawer handles to replace the old ones.


9. Use a screwdriver to attach the new drawer handles to the metal filing cabinet.

Finishing Touches

• Use stencils and a different color of paint to add a design around the sides and front of the filing cabinet.


• Cut out pretty pictures or designs, and attach them to the filing cabinet using decoupage glue.


• Find unique magnets to attach to the filing cabinet.


• Place a lace doily on top of the filing cabinet, and set a plant on top of it.