“Paint” inside of glass front cabinets?

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

We bought a tract house a couple of years ago. It’s nice and the location is very good. But the whole house is pretty much white and lacking a bit in character. I’d like to bring a bit of color into the kitchen space.

Four upper cabinets are glass front. I have them filed with glass objects because that’s what I have. But the effect is very blah.

I thought about purchasing something more interesting to fill them. Perhaps four of these vintage French enamel water pitchers:

They aren‘t terribly expensive, but not cheap either. Probably $250-300 by the time I bought four and paid shipping. No decent flea markets or antique fairs where we now live sadly.

So then I thought about maybe painting foam block or plywood or something that I could insert into the backs of the cabinets to make them look like they had been painted. Then maybe put books under the existing objects to raise them a bit. Seems like that would be cheaper and might liven things up enough.

What do you think? And if you like the paint idea, any tips on material to use and how to do it?

Thanks!

Featured Answer

writersblock (9b/10a)

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

I've known folks who use plain old posterboard and either paint it or wrap it in fabric. Some of them change things out seasonally.

ETA They say that if you size it right it will just stay without anything to keep it in place.

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Comments (16)

Nothing Left to Say
Original Author
5 years ago
That seems easy enough. And it would be cheap!
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writersblock (9b/10a)
5 years ago
Can't hurt to try it.
Nothing Left to Say thanked writersblock (9b/10a)
maddielee
5 years ago
find a pretty wallpaper to cover a foam core board or cardboard piece that fits in the back of your cabinets. (Search Pinterest or google for 100s of images of "wallpaper in back of glass cabinets")
Nothing Left to Say thanked maddielee
User
5 years ago
If all your objects are clear glass like those pictured, I'm not sure they'll show up in front of a colored background unless (or even if?) there is lighting inside the cabinets. Before buying the very pretty pitchers, you might consider trying other colorful objects up there even if they aren't kitchen related.
Nothing Left to Say thanked User
User
5 years ago
I did put fabric on the inside of some glass front cabinets once. I think I just stapled it.
Nothing Left to Say thanked User
User
5 years ago
Fabric on foam core. Then you wont damage the back of the cabinets.
Nothing Left to Say thanked User
Olychick
5 years ago
I agree with holding off buying items. If you put in a colorful background, your clear glass could look terrific. And if you do buy something, I wouldn't get 4 of the same item.
Nothing Left to Say thanked Olychick
User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I cut and painted posterboard for the insides of our e.stand bookends. I used painters tape on the back. So high tech, haha. :) . Works great. For your cabinets I'd use that or foam core. Or fabric on foam core.
Nothing Left to Say thanked User
Nothing Left to Say
Original Author
5 years ago
I’m not much of a pattern person. So I’m not sure wallpaper makes a lot of sense for me. Especially as high up as these are and as small as they are. A small patter would just get lost and a big pattern wouldn’t show very well, I don’t think.

If I went with painted posterboard or foamboard, how could that damage the cabinets?

The cabinets are not lighted and running wiring to get them lighted isn’t worth the cost to me.

I actually like repeats of objects. If I did the enamel pitchers, I would vary the colors. Really though I think it’s too much money for me at this point for something that would be entirely for looks.
Nothing Left to Say
Original Author
5 years ago
Ah, painters tape. Of course. I was thinking earthquake putty, but painters tape should do the trick to hold something light like posterboard in place.

By the way, thanks everyone!
Olychick
5 years ago
I forgot to say, it's a lovely kitchen!
Nothing Left to Say thanked Olychick
party_music50
5 years ago
Have you considered making them look like stained glass? My sister has done it with several of her windows and they came out great. She used 'Gallery Glass'.
Nothing Left to Say thanked party_music50
Nothing Left to Say
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks Olychick. I still miss the kitchen we remodeled in my last house. It was better functionally and more to my taste, but I’m trying to make this house more ours—without spending a ton of money.

Here’s what I had before.
Nothing Left to Say
Original Author
5 years ago
partymusic, that sounds like a lot of fun. More fun than I am honestly.
party_music50
5 years ago
Crl, it's cheap fun and you can peel it off. It can be used directly on the glass or made separately and used/applied like decals.
Nothing Left to Say thanked party_music50