DIY Black Distressed Cabinets

Just as some people prefer their cabinets to look shiny and pristine, others can't wait for their furniture to show some wear. Distressing furniture gives ordinary pieces the look of age. This look can easily influence an entire room, transforming your space into one with character. Luckily, you don't have to shell out extra money to purchase distressed furniture, nor do you need to be a professional artist or designer to create this effect with paint.

Screwdriver
Electric sander
100-grit sandpaper
220-grit sandpaper
360-grit sandpaper
Tack cloth
Plastic bag
30 to 40 long screws
Foam brush
Crackle finish
Oil-based black paint
Nylon brush

Instructions

- 1
  Unscrew all hardware and hinges from the cabinets.
- 2
  Press a piece of 80-grit sandpaper onto the bottom of an electric sander. Run the sander along the surface of the cabinets. Repeat with 200-grit and 300-grit sandpaper. Wipe off the cabinets with a tack cloth to remove the dust.
- 3
  Fill a plastic bag with 30 to 40 long screws. Twist the opening of the plastic bag shut, and repeatedly strike the exterior of the cabinets with the bag, creating dents, nicks and scratches.
- 4
  Dip a foam brush in crackle finish. Coat the cabinets with a light coat of finish, applying the finish in the direction of the grain. Allow two to four hours of drying time.
- 5
  Dip a nylon brush in oil-based black paint. Paint the cabinets with a light coat of black, applying the paint in the opposite direction of the grain. As the paint dries, it will begin to separate into a crackle finish.

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