How to Use Coffee to Antique a Cabinet

Start with clean fresh wood. If you are refinishing an old cabinet, strip off the old finish. Use a screwdriver to remove all the hardware and take down the doors. Spread newspaper around your work area to catch any accidental drips and spills and to make clean-up easier.

Brew fresh coffee and allow it to cool to room temperature. It is important to use fresh coffee because old coffee will not stain the wood as effectively. The amount of coffee you need depends on the size of your cabinet; one gallon of coffee will stain 100 square feet of wood.

Soak a lint-free cotton rag in the cooled coffee and wipe it liberally onto the wood. Continue to apply the homemade stain until all the surfaces are thoroughly coated. Let the coffee sit for 10 minutes and then use a clean, dry rag to wipe off the excess moisture. Allow all the wood pieces to dry overnight.

Use a brush to apply a water-based clear coat to the dried cabinet. The clear coat will seal in the stain and keep the wood from drying out. Follow the directions on the can, but you will generally need to apply between two or three coats, depending on the brand you use. Reassemble the cabinet after all the wood is thoroughly dry.