Painting a china cabinet is my go-to DIY when I am in the mood for a quick but dramatic room makeover. Let me show you how easy it can be.

The Cabinet with Countless Coats of Paint

This china cabinet has been painted so many times I am starting to lose count!

With the previous makeover (seen below), I painted it white and used peel-and-stick wallpaper inside the two areas with glass doors.

You can read this makeover post for all the details.

Hutch makeover before and after

If you have been following my kitchen makeover, you already know I am a little “cottage crazy.” With the china cabinet in the kitchen, you know where I’m going with this!

(I suspect it’s a matter of time before someone tells me what a squeeze this cabinet is next to this massive island. I know! Unfortunately, there is no better place for it. It works for us, though. It’s not uncomfortable at all.)

Small Design Changes

The first time I gave this cabinet a makeover, I removed two shelves from the middle section and had a mirror cut to size for the opening. It looked great at the time, but I needed to return to the original design.

Cutting beadboard for the back of the china cabinet

I cut a piece of beadboard to fit inside the opening, covering the mirror. I did the same for the two side cabinets covered in peel-and-stick vinyl.

Cutting shelves for the china cabinet from MDF

I cut six shelves from MDF, two for the middle section and two for each side cabinet. The glass shelves had to go!

Painting the China Cabinet

The color(s) I chose? Blue and white! It is my new favorite! I wanted to repeat the gorgeous dark blue I used to paint our coffee table.

Painting the new shelves with white chalk paint

I painted all the new shelves, beadboard, and the openings they fit into a crisp white. Dixie Belle Chalk Paint in the color Cotton is my favorite white.

I should add that I have never used white paint with the amazing coverage this one has! It is such a joy to paint with.

Chalk paint also works great as a primer. One quick sanding after the first coat, and your wood is smooth as can be.

The blue I used, Silk Mineral Paint in Nautical, has a built-in primer and top coat, saving a lot of time! I painted directly onto the previous white chalk paint. I gave the bottom half of the china cabinet an extra layer of protection with a coat of Clear Coat Sealer.

Dixie Belle Products used for this china cabinet makeover
Painted china cabinet with new shelves

The new shelves and the beadboard changed the look of the china cabinet entirely, and I think they look fabulous in white.

Giving the Hardware a New Look

I previously painted the knobs and pulls black. A quick soak in paint stripper, and the paint washed off without any effort.

The hardware pieces are all solid brass, but I gave them an extra bit of shine with gold gilding wax.

How It Looked Before…

Vintage hutch

And Now, Good as New with a Lick of Paint

After painting the china cabinet blue

I know I am biased, but is this not the most beautiful painted china cabinet you have ever seen?!

This blue, white, and gold combination makes my heart beat faster!

Styling The New Painted China Cabinet

Styling the painted china cabinet

Styling this cabinet has always been a problem for me, and I couldn’t figure out the problem. This time, it feels right.

Maybe the new shelves make the difference, or perhaps the cute plates I patiently thrifted and bargain-hunted over the last couple of months.

I had to open the glass doors to give you a better look at what’s inside because the reflections of all the windows make it extremely difficult to take photos.

These gorgeous plates were tucked away in a drawer until I finished painting the china cabinet. May it never be said that I am not a patient person!

In fact, there are a few more waiting to be hung on the living room walls!

Anywho, aren’t they pretty? I have never collected plates before, but the bug has bitten! I can see how this could quickly become an addiction, but it’s not the worst thing to happen, right?

Pin this for later!

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28 Comments

  1. Beautiful makeover… I am finding myself really drawn to blue and brass these days. I never thought that would happen growing up in an all blue and white home, I shied away from it for years… looks like it is drawing me back in.
    LOL! Love the plates and ginger jars.

    1. Thank you so much, Elizabeth!

  2. OH it’s gorgeous Marieza! I loved your last incarnation, and I love this one too! You have a great stylish eye and whatever look you decide on, it’s elegant and beautiful. My condolences on your new plate addiction, but the love of china only gets stronger with time! 🙂 Thanks for this fabulous inspiration, (and also the tip about removing paint from your hardware!) Hope you have a lovely weekend.

    1. Ha ha! Your comment made my day, Barbara! I can imagine the love for china only getting stronger!

  3. The most beautiful cabinet make over…ever! I love the blue & white! I’m Canadian…born & raised and live in beautiful Prince Edward Island. I do envy your mountains…we visited Alberta about four years ago…in early September.

    1. Hi Charlotte! PEI is also gorgeous and I would love to visit one day!
      Our mountains really are special but the cold, eek! Not so fun.

  4. I love how your china cabinet came out! It is so beautiful. What a difference. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Thanks for stopping by, Meagan!

  5. The finish on your painted china cabinet is just lovely, Marieza! But then, all your work is stellar! I’m happy to be sharing your post at Tuesday Turn About this week! Pinned!

    1. What a big surprise and honor! Thank you, Julie!

  6. Marieza, I love your blue china cabinet. It’s just stunning! Painting the backs of the shelves makes your blue and white pottery pop! Gorgeous!!

    1. Thanks, Carol! I feel the same.

  7. Each time I see one of your projects I think this is the best one yet, and then you raise the bar …..
    again and again. Congratulations on a beautiful China Cabinet. The color suits it perfectly.

    1. Thank you so very much! That is all I need to hear to keep going!

  8. Christine says:

    Your hutch looks amazing. Love the colors. Fantastic job.

    1. Thank you, Christine! I am so glad you like it!

  9. Susan E Osborne says:

    Oh, boy, both versions are absolutely gorgeous! You are so talented! I guess, depending on the rest of the color and themes in any one’s home, this wonderful piece of furniture could be done in so many ways.
    Thanks for inspiring me.

    1. Aw, the pleasure is all mine, Susan! Thank you for reading!

  10. Love the color. You did a beautiful job.

    1. Thank you so much, Suzie!

  11. Beautiful job and love the addition of the beadboard. Hutches are a big job to paint.
    Pinned!

    1. Thanks, Cindy! I am exhausted! It was a lot to get done in a weekend.