How to Antique a Yellow Cabinet

Remove the cabinet doors from the main frame of the cabinet using a Phillips screwdriver. Place the cabinet doors on some old newspapers spread in a well-ventilated area. Place an even line of painter's tape along the edge of the walls which connect to the cabinet frame to protect the walls from damage or staining.

Rub a square of sandpaper over the corners and edges of the cabinet doors as well as the main cabinet frame. Keep the sandpaper distressing rather light as the yellow color will reduce quickly. Create a gradual fade from the yellow paint job to the distressed edges. To achieve this effect, sand down the edges and corners a few times. As you move away from these edges, only go over the adjacent areas using circular motions in a single quick, gentle pass. Wet a clean cloth and wipe down the distressed areas on the doors and the cabinet frame to remove any dust or debris.

Apply a thin, even layer of the wood stain to a small area on the cabinet door. Remove the stain right away with a clean paper towel, leaving a small amount of residual stain on the yellow paint. Repeat this step over the main body of the cabinet as well as the cabinet doors. Keep your brushstrokes and your removal strokes going in the same direction over the cabinet's surface. The cabinet should look slightly darker and aged but should still have a clearly yellow hue underneath the distressed hue. Allow the stain to dry for a few hours before replacing the cabinet doors onto the main frame of the cabinet.

Replace the cabinet hardware with some brushed pewter or copper hardware to create a rustic, aged look. These colors will pair nicely with the aged yellow color of the cabinet.