I’ve been working on my home office makeover for, oh, over a year now. To say that it’s slowly coming together is an understatement. But high five me because I finished one more project on my to-do list the other day– stenciling my file cabinet.
Psst, my home office makeover is finished! See the big reveal here!
I started with a dull, greenish/tan file cabinet, which I scored for free.
Then I painted it white… and it sat for a year, waiting for more to happen to it. But recently, the great people at Royal Design Studio got in touch with me and asked if I wanted to review one of their stencils. The file cabinet was the first thing that popped into my head. I had been eyeing their Rockin’ Roses Damask Stencil for some time, and I knew it would look great on the file cabinet. So Rockin’ Roses it was.
The stencil was pretty easy to use. It probably helped that I was able to roll the file cabinet over so whatever side I was working on was face upward. I started by taping the stencil in the middle of the the long sides. Adhesive spray wasn’t necessary with this project. In addition to the stencil, I used a paper plate covered in foil (super classy and professional), foam roller, and a sample of latex paint (Valspar’s Gravity)– all things I already had on hand.

I used the smaller stencil to finish one end and the large stencil to finish the other end of the tall sides. The stencil registration system made it easy to match up the pattern. The large stencil was all I needed for the top of the file cabinet.

I wanted the handles to stand out a little, so I covered them with painters tape before stenciling.

The stenciling itself didn’t take very long. I found that the key was using just enough paint. It’s better to go with too little paint and do a second coat than go with too much paint on the first go. The most time consuming aspect, for me, was cleaning the stencil. It may have had something to do with the intricate pattern of the stencil I chose. Ultimately, I found it best to soak the stencil in hot water with some dish soap and scrub the stencil with the green side of a Scotch Brite sponge.
Altogether, this project probably took about 3-4 hours (that includes prep, stenciling, cleaning the stencil, clean-up).

I love how the file cabinet turned out. Now having to file paperwork won’t be as boring because I’ll be looking at this pretty little thing.
Tadah! A stenciled file cabinet.

Check out more about my home office, including the makeover and a bunch of DIYs, below!

Have you used a wall stencil? What did you stencil?
Do you have a less-than-pretty piece of furniture you’d like to stencil?
I received my wall stencil for free. I was not compensated to review this product.
As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
While You Were Out says
Wow! That turned out beautifully! I love it combined with the pink accents.
Rita says
What kind of paint did you use when you painted it white?
Swede Dreams says
Now that’s a file cabinet you wouldn’t want to hide! Beautiful job, Chelsea!
DecorandtheDog says
Oooooooooo, me like!!
Tonya Diehl says
LOVE!!!!
Emily says
Looks great!
Erin says
Looks great! I have a black file cabinet, and I never even thought about stenciling it, let alone painting it! What kind of paint did you use??
Rachel says
High five! That looks AWESOME. I love it. I want you to come to my house and infuse it with some Chelsea style. So so pretty.
How to Nest for Less says
Ooh, I have a black file cabinet in my closet now that really needs a makeover! Thanks for the inspiration, girl!
Karen says
Who knew you could make a filing cabinet look so fantastic! Love this!
Andrea Peterson says
Oh, it’s SO pretty!!
Lori says
What an awesome job you did! I love the pink accessories too.
Lori
Thrifty Decor Mom
Samantha says
I love love love it!
Mary says
That looks awesome! What a great idea!
iheartorganizing says
I have one just like it that I have waiting for a makeover and now I am more inspired than ever to get creative with it! Yours turned out amazing, it looks so chic and fun!
xo!
Jen
[email protected] says
Woah! That looks awesome! It doesn’t even look like a filing cabinet anymore!
[email protected]'s Mansion says
Oh that is so very pretty
Megan says
I love it, I’ve got plans to do that to our filing cabinet just have to change it from a laminated cabinet to a metal one and then try to get a stencil. I’ll have to just order one from America and hope the postage to Australia is good lol.
House on the Way says
Absolutely LOVE it! I have an old tan filing cabinet too that I’ve been wanting to spruce up. Thanks for the inspiration!
Leslie
[email protected]
Caitlin @ Desert Domicile says
What a great idea! I love the stencil you chose and that gray is perfect!
K Coake says
I love how it turned out! So pretty and fun to look at and use.
The Alchemist says
That is so gorgeous! Great job, high five!
Melissa @ The Alchemist
Serena {Pretty Fluffy} says
Gorgeous makeover Chelsea – love how it brought out the soft grey. Beautiful!
Kelly says
File cabinets are not supposed to be this pretty.
Kelly @ View Along the Way
http://www.viewalongtheway.com
itsallaboute says
Awe I love this! Definitely storing this away for when I have a home office
Less Is More says
I have been dying to redo my filing cabinet somehow. This gives me HOPE. Ours is so ugly.
I just asked someone yesterday at work if they had ever painted with stencils before because a friend of mine is painting a nursery tomorrow using stencils. I think I was meant to find your site. : )
Heather SettingforFour says
Love this makeover Chelsea! You picked a beautiful stencil and the Valspar color is perfect with the other colors in your space! I have a similar filing cabinet that has been waiting forever for a makeover like this one! You’ve inspired me to get my game on and just do it!! I would love it if you would share this at “It’s Party Time” Linky party at my blog here: http://www.settingforfour.com/2012/10/ive-got-big-announcement-today.html
Hope to see you there! Have a fab weekend 🙂 Heather
Ginger Walls says
I looooove it! What a simple transformation with high impact. So pretty!!
Dewdrop Gardens says
What a difference! Yes! I have 2 ugly filing cabinets in our office that are crying out for attention! Thanks for the inspiration.
Saw you linking at Serenity Now.
Debbie 🙂
LWLH says
What a difference! It looks great girl!
Kim @ NewlyWoodwards says
This looks so amazing. What a great idea to stencil the file cabinet.
Jeannine says
I love how this turned out! You turned an extremely boring item into something gorgeous. I have to say… you ROCK!!
Jeannine @ The Concrete Cottage
Erika says
Looks fabulous! I want to try this out…
Laura says
That’s reallllly pretty!
Angie Ramirez says
That is gorgeous!! Thanks for sharing at Create & Inspire!
Lacey says
Love this. How do you think the paint will hold up to wear and tear?
Cocalores says
Very cute! I love the romantic, yet simple look of it. Pink and grey are perfect together! =) Have to check out some more of your blog!
House of Clark says
Oh goodness, this is too cute. I love the stencil you chose and how the file cabinet turned out. Great job.
fancythatfancythis.com says
What a pretty idea…love it! I would have never thought of such a cute idea.
megan {homemade ginger} says
WOW. this is spectacular. Really beautiful!! It really turned out great.
I would LOVE for you to link this up at my Ginger Jamboree Link Party!!
Christy says
This is beautiful. I have a BRIGHT pink cabinet that I need to do this to, and hopefully tone it down a little. 😉
Amy says
Wonderful- what a transformation! Pinning…
Margie says
I absolutely LOVE this. I think I want to kidnap my husband’s file cabinet and do this now!
Benjamin Gaines says
Awesome DIY project. I can not wait to give it a try myself. When you painted the cabinet white, did you spray it?
Chelsea @ two twenty one says
Hi Benjamin! I primed it and painted it with white latex paint.
Bonnie and Trish @ Uncommon says
This turned out so nice! I love the stencil that you chose, too! Thanks for sharing it with us this week!
Take care,
Trish
Allison @ House of Hepworths says
Have you had any issues with the latex paint peeling off the metal file cabinet?
Chelsea @ two twenty one says
No ma’am. I primed it and painted it with white latex paint (and let it sit for over a year, so there was more than enough curing time) before I stenciled it. I’m letting it sit untouched for a month so the grey paint can cure.
Jelli says
This looks great! I can’t believe your stencil job looks so perfect. I’ll have to re-read this a few hundred times before I pick up my next paintbrush. Love it! Found you from house of hepworths.
Liz Fourez says
Beautiful! I love the gray and white and the rose stencil is so pretty! My filing cabinet is getting a makeover soon as well : )
Love Always,
Liz – Love Grows Wild
Courtney says
Beautiful!! Love the girly touches. You’ve given me some inspiration for my home office.
I work for a vinyl graphics company so I actually had mine wrapped in a floral/paisley design. I will be showing pictures on my blog soon. Who knew filing cabinets could look so cute!
Lori Green says
I love it!! I have some craft maid cube shelving in my craft room I would like to do this to. Just wondering if you had any experience painting that cheap laminated board? Thanks!
chelsea says
Hi Lori! I sure do have experience painting laminate. See this post on how I painted my grandmother’s laminate sewing cabinet: https://www.twotwentyone.net/2012/01/sewing-cabinet-makeover.html
jess (creative index) says
THIS. IS. BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Such a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Lauren says
Gorgeous! Where’s the alarm clock from?!
Wendy says
Your file cabinet is beautiful! I’ve been wanting to install a small under desk cabinet in my home office, but didn’t like the plain dull look of the metal shelves. Now THIS is an idea to solve that design dilemma. Thanks for sharing your idea!
Danielle says
Saw your project featured on Iheartorganizing. So beautiful! Such a fab way to makeover otherwise boring (but essential!) office furniture.
carrie says
Where did you get the pink box beside the file cabinet and is it file storage?
Dragonfly Diva says
Love this! I have a 4 drawer cabinet that is screaming for this sort of thing! It was a $25 purchase from a previous employer of mine who didn’t want to pay shipping to have it brought back from my home office. My Grad School Graduation present to myself is to redo my office and this project is going to be on that list. Love the whole office redo – my creative juices are flowing!
Michelle says
Hi there,
I love this but i really love your vintage alarm clock, could you please tell me where you got it?
Michelle
Danielle says
WOW! This is so impressive! Your filing cabinet is absolutely gorgeous!
Dakota says
Thanks for sharing! I’m glad that you posted the website that you got the stencil from! They are great 🙂 You did such a great job on this file cabinet. This DIY is perfect for me. Thanks again! <3
Kelly Bonanno (@Savvysuburban_) says
This looks so elegant! I’m usually not good with stencils but I really want to revamp my pld metal file cabinet to look like this. Pinning!
Christina @ I Gotta Create! says
Looks lovely! Now I have all kinds of ideas for updating my office cabinets. Thank you! Pinned it 🙂
<3 Christina @ I Gotta Create!
Wildly Original link party is open.
azura says
Absolutely love the results. Thanks for the idea. I may not have to bin my ugly old filing cabinet after all!
Mary Bublitz says
Now I know how to rescue my filing cabinet in my art room. Can’t wait to try it. Thanks.
Marijke says
I have a file cabinet just like this one which I also got for free…. what a great idea. Love it !!!
Marijke says
I have a file cabinet just like this one which I also got for free…. what a great idea. Love it !!!
Theresa Marie says
Absolutely wonderful! I cannot wait to try this on a cabinet I was about to throw out. Love it!
Sarah F says
SO CUTE!
Where did you get the stencil from? I am currently working on a project and that pattern is perfect for it
Irina says
I love what you did to the file cabinet, and Ys! I love the stencil. I actually purchased it from RD, it cost me BIG $80. My husband thought I was crazy, but I had so much fun with that design 🙂
Rachalle Liedy says
How did you get the stencil for free?
Chelsea @ two twenty one says
It wasn’t free. Companies send bloggers products in return for reviews and giveaways. So in essence, I was paid in product.
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Julie says
We have some horrendous looking old filing cabinets at work and I’m threatening to give them a makeover, I’m interested to know what paint worked, and how well it stands up to wear and tear. It looks so pretty, I know my colleagues would appreciate looking at a bank of pretty cabinets instead of the awful mix of grey and beige we have now!
Cara says
I love this! So pretty! Now if only my boss would let me do this in my office 😉
Barbara from 21 Rosemary Lane says
Love it! What a darling way to make a rather boring necessity into something absolutely adorable! Thank you so much Chelsea for sharing at SYS and wishing you a very happy and healthy new year!
Jennifer Dawn says
It looks stunning! I love the design you chose! We’d love to have you share this at our weekly link party! Hope to see you there! http://www.thelifeofjenniferdawn.com/2015/12/8-things-to-make-this-winter-and-little.html