File Cabinet Make Over

Here's your first "apple" on Make-It Monday:  File Cabinet Make Over

I think it's safe to say that I'm not the only teacher who's inherited some less than ideal and rather ancient filing cabinets.  Mine were especially unattractive due to some stubborn (and now dusty) tape residue.  After two years in my classroom I couldn't take it anymore.  I needed my file cabinets to be cuter.  So here's how I made that happen.

At the hardware store I bought painters' tape, metal primer, a sanding block, and metal safe latex paint.

First, I sanded down the doors.  Then I taped off the handles.  When the doors were prepped, I started to paint.  I used a 65 cent sponge brush so that I could throw it away when I was done.  each door got one coat of primer which I let dry for about 30 minutes.  Then each door got two coats of apple red paint (with dry time in-between).  When I was done, I removed the painters' tape and I had new, adorable, file cabinet doors.  Success.  

Looking at my before and after photos makes me smile every time.  I can't wait for my new fourth graders to walk in and see our made over cabinet doors.  

My favorite part about today's apple is that it's not just for today.  It's a single apple that will brighten up my classroom for the entire year but it was accomplished in just a few hours.  Let me know if you try it in your classroom-I'd love to see your results.