
Beautiful Boho DIY Cane Cabinet Makeover
TRANSFORMING A PLAIN OLD CABINET INTO A BOHO BEAUTY
I’ve always wanted to have a boho cane cabinet in my space but they’re so popular and sometimes that means, expensive.
Here’s the thing, I tend to love expensive things, but I can’t afford them. This is one of the biggest reasons that I love DIY. I can create the look for myself, at a price that I can afford!
I worked on this project as a part of the Furniture Flip Challenge on Instagram. It was so much fun, I will probably participate every year!
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SUPPLIES
- The Real Milk Paint, Earth Green
- The Real Milk Paint Additives, Anti-Foaming Agent and Ultra Bond Adhesion Promoter
- Paint Sprayer, I used this Wagner Spraytech One (it’s amazing! Here is one on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/2EJO6ZC)
- Orbital Sander
- Soft finishing wax, dark brown
- Hall Table, I got mine from Target years ago
- Gorilla Glue
- Multi-tool, for sanding
- Jigsaw
- Spackle or Woodfiller
- Caning, I got mine from Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/2Gd7FJY
BEFORE

STEP 1: DISASSEMBLE + SAND
Although the milk paint has an adhesion promoter, I didn’t use it. Because of this, I had to take it apart and sand it. If you want to save yourself this step, get the adhesion promoter!

STEP 2: REMOVE BARS + GLASS
The glass was pretty easy to remove. It was held in place with silicone strips.
Since I wanted that beautiful boho look, I had to remove the bars on the cabinet doors. This required the use of a saw of some kind, I elected to use a jigsaw. I cut the bars right along the frame and filled the remaining gaps with spackle after a light sanding. I sanded again after the spackle was applied to make sure that there was a seamless finish.
STEP 3: PAINT
I used a paint sprayer because I LOVE the super smooth finish I can get with it. The Anti-Foaming Agent in the milk paint is necessary. Unfortunately, I did not use it, and as a result, I ended up with a horrible paint finish. I really should have just followed the rules and used the additives as they recommended.
STEP 4: REPAINT
Because of this, I had to sand and repaint, doing everything the correct way.
STEP 5: WAX FINISH
I wanted the cabinet to be protected from moisture and damaged paint so I chose to finish it with wax. One of the things I really wanted from the wax was a depth that flat paint couldn’t provide.
I am not a huge fan of the shabby chic look, but the slight patina the wax provides makes the piece look a bit more subtly sophisticated.
STEP 6: SAND CABINET GLASS SPACE
The cabinet glass space is only thick enough to house the glass panel. In order to make space for the thickness of the cane, I used the sanding triangle on the multi-tool to sand away enough material to allow the silicone strips to slide back into place.
STEP 7: DISPLAY YOUR NEW BOHO CANE CABINET

Need ideas to style your new cane cabinet? Check out these DIY Boho Faux Terracotta Vases or my Top 20 Fall Decor Finds Under $20 list.




24 Comments
Christin
This is such an amazing transformation! I love it! I would never think to disassemble furniture, but you’ve got me all inspired!
Morgan Nelson
Thank you so much! I find that disassembling the furniture makes for a better paint finish. I feel like it FEELS more thorough and clean of a paint job, even if there isn’t really a difference.
Carol Karl
Wow! You did an amazing job. Thanks for sharing all your ideas.
Kimberly Snyder
this is absolutely beautiful! You did a great job! I have a cabinet that could benefit from a similar makeover! You have given me the inspiration I needed!!! Thanks!!
Morgan Nelson
Thanks! I am glad that you like it! If you do makeover your cabinet, tag me in it, I would love to see how it turns out!
Lori Nell
Great DIY furniture piece. Love how it turned out!!
Mary @ The Handcrafted Haven
This is so cool! I love the cane look! I bought some but an still deciding on how to use it.
Morgan Nelson
Thanks! I love caning too! I was so excited to finally put it in a project!
Paula
What an amazing transformation! You have created a piece that you can use and enjoy for years to come.
Morgan Nelson
Thank you so much! Im happy with how it turned out and I saved money by not buying an all new piece!
Jill
I loved this makeover! Especially the green color! So fresh!
Morgan Nelson
Thank you so much Jill! I am so happy with how it turned out!
Jennifer
I love this transformation so much. Green in my favorite!
Morgan Nelson
Thanks so much! Im so happy with how the green came out! (even tho it took me a couple of tries!)
Danielle
Oh I love this color green, and I have been wanting to add cane to a piece! Thanks for these tips!
Renee Barton
I was following this transformation on your instagram stories. I love glass doors and was not sure if this would work for me. HOWEVER, it is SO awesome!!! Everything came together beautifully!!
Linda
I love the after SO much! You did a fabulous job!
Marie
Great job & easy to follow instructions! I love all the furniture with cane that is coming out.
Tammy
You did a beautiful job with this cabinet. The caning looks beautiful in this piece. Love the finished look.
Morgan Nelson
Thank you so much Tammy!
Leslie Watkins
What a great redo! Love the cane!
Morgan Nelson
Thanks so much! definitely one of my favorite projects!
Jordyn
This is exactly what I was looking for! I’m hoping to makeover an old/tired Dawson Two-Door Floor Cabinet also purchased years ago from Target. Thanks for the insightful DIY.
Morgan Nelson
Im so glad you found it helpful Jordyn! Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. Best/quickest way to reach me is in my IG DMs.