It'a super simple DIY and can be changed out easily and often!
This is my office space.
The area was created using the same cabinets and formica chosen for the attached kitchen.
While it's great for continuity, it's not so great when trying to create a cozy farmhouse cottage nook to work in.
Stock pieces and laminate countertops do not scream country charm.
What's a girl to do?
Well, this girl adds fabric when she needs to warm up a space.
Fabric has the most wonderful transformational qualities.
It softens hard edges, adds whimsy, personality and color in a way that nothing else can...and, let's face it, it's pretty.
When we renovated this space, a bit over ten years ago, I added fabric to the glass doors over the desk to warm up the area.
The fabric addition gave the cabinets more of custom furniture feel.
It was fall when I conquered, and I use that term very loosely, this project the first time, so I went with a dark print.
Now it's spring and like I said, I've been living with that fabric for a long time. Years.
I felt that it was time to lighten things up a bit and the process is so easy and inexpensive, why not?
Much better, don't you think?
I just love the fabric. It's very fresh.
I have posted the how to on this project two other times, one in the basement, but in case you missed it, here it is again.
Update!! I've updated it again with buffalo check. Gorgeous.
How To Cover Glass Cabinet Doors With Fabric
Supplies:
Posy Stripe Fabric <---this is it
Velcro Sticky Tape <--- like this one. Go wth the real deal. Trust me!
Fabric Scissors <--- I love these, you can lean them flat on a table when cutting for a straight line
Posy Stripe Fabric <---this is it
Velcro Sticky Tape <--- like this one. Go wth the real deal. Trust me!
Fabric Scissors <--- I love these, you can lean them flat on a table when cutting for a straight line
Yardstick
It was super easy.
I started by measuring my cabinet doors and buying enough velcro type sticky tape to line the cabinets on top and bottom.
It doesn't matter which side you stick to the cabinet. I put the lock side on the cabinet itself. Then the fabric was stuck to the loop side.
If you are a little short and have to piece it together, that's fine.
No one is ever going to see it and it will stick just the same.
Next, cut your fabric to one and a half times the width of the glass area.
You will need the extra width to gather the fabric, so it looks shirred when you close the door.
When cutting the length, make sure to add a few inches to the top and bottom so you have enough fabric to reach your velcro.
I can't give an exact measurement, because it all depends on your particular cabinet and your velcro placement.
Now the tricky part ~ just kidding ~ there is no tricky part here. It's all easy.
Remove the protective tape, exposing the "sticky" part of the tape.
Then grab your fabric and stick it to the velcro sticky tape.
I start at the top, adhering the outside edges to the top of the door. Then I gather fabric as I go to create pleats.
When done, I move to the bottom and do the same.
I close the door a lot during this process to see how it looks from the outside and reposition it if necessary.
The velcro is very sticky and very forgiving.
You can move it around several times, no problem.
It took me about twenty minutes start to finish to change the fabric out completely.
The transformation is quite dramatic.
The desk area feels cleaner, brighter and more enticing now.
It even inspired me to dress up the drawers.
The flowers my husband brought yesterday look great here, too.
I alway keep flowers and fruit on my desk and it's always this clean and paper free.
You've got my email.
Want to see the kitchen cabinets that are not covered with fabric? Peek!
If you would like to see a more detailed tutorial you can check out this post.
If you would like to see some other ways I have used fabric around the house you can look here...
or here...
Obviously, I have a problem with fabric!
How about you? Are you a fabric junkie?
Wow this is a great tutorial with your easy to follow instructions that even I could do this! Thanks for sharing the tutorial with us. Your new fabric looks great in the cabinets and perfect for spring and summer! Hope you have a nice week Kim!
ReplyDeleteJulie xo
Thank you, Julie! I do like the new bright color. I am so ready for spring! :)
DeleteLove the fabric panels in the glass. So pretty. Great ideas
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Marty! :)
DeleteOMG! I am such a fabric addict! I but it even when I don't know what I'm going to do with it! Love your cabinets with the fabric in it. Looks great!
ReplyDeleteJudy
Thanks Judy! I buy it when I don’t know what I’m gong to do with it either! Addicted! ;)
DeleteI do love fabric, but I'm no where near as creative as you are with it. Your office space look pretty with the new fabric. I would have never believed you accomplished it with velcro!
ReplyDeleteThanks Gina, It's such an easy DIY!
DeleteLooks great. I like both fabrics. And if you saved them you could have a collection of them to switch out whenever you are ready for a little change. Nice.
ReplyDeleteI really like fabric Lorri. I liked it so much, I chopped it up and started making something else from it. I'll keep you posted!:)
DeleteI will be watching for it. :D
DeleteI'm working on it, Lorri!
DeleteI actually gave all of my fabric away when I moved here because I just didn't have room to store it! And I'd been buying fabric for over 20 years because I quilted through my thirties. Your little spot looks nice and cozy and the fabric adds just the right touch.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Thanks Brenda! My aunt was a big quilter, I used to love to go into her spare room and look her giant collection. So pretty.
DeleteYour cabinets look so great with the fabric. Genius. Very pretty.
ReplyDeleteKris
Genius, huh? I’ll take it and that's a high compliment coming from the creative master herself!! Thanks, Kris! :)
DeleteI love what you do with the fabric! Fabric is so expensive nowadays - put just a bit here and there and it's a nice touch, though. I love your desk area.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much and I agree, fabric is expensive! I only buy it when it’s on sale, otherwise, I’d be in real trouble! :)
DeleteWow Kim... I LOVE how the springy fabric just changed the whole look of your little space! And I have to admit the tulips from your husband are pretty amazing too! I had to giggle at your bridge and real estate joke. Who knows what lies beyond the eyes of the camera, right? and... it doesn't matter anyway. LOL! Your tutorial is great, and you've actually inspired me to do SOMETHING with all that material I've got, lol!
ReplyDeleteThat desk is such a catch all! The kids' papers are usually on it, along with my mail. I like the redo a lot though~ maybe it will keep me motivated to keep it clean all the time! ;) If only!
DeleteDon't get me started on being a fabric junkie!! Cute way to line your cupboard doors. Love the tulips!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathy! I am so addicted to fabric, especially when it’s on sale and I love the tulips, too! ;)
DeleteFabric adds such nice visual texture and warmth. I love what you did, Kim! It's lovely both ways, but it's always nice when we make a change. Maybe you need to start a cabinet fabric collection and switch it out monthly! Lol, just kidding. Or am I??
ReplyDeleteHaha! I always say that, too! Wouldn’t that be fun!
DeleteVelcro is one of man's greatest invention!!!! Love the change Kim!
ReplyDeleteVelcro is awesome, Vel and easy!
DeleteI've always loved the charm of the fabric and glass front cabinets. I love your fabric choice - so fresh and pretty. Jane
ReplyDeleteThanks Jane! It’s a great way to hide the mess inside, too…shhh! ;)
DeletePretty is always nice ... pretty look and pretty easy project. Gotta love that velcro!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cheryl! It is a pretty easy project.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI like to play with fabric too. I have a curtain covering our lower kitchen cabinet by our farmhouse sink. I change up the fabric with the seasons. I also use it for decorating my garden stand. I am a fabric junkie too.
I LOVE your pretty nails. :-))
Carla
I have always loved the look of a skirted farmhouse sink. I bet it’s super sweet! :)
DeleteThanks for popping by Teri and leaving such a sweet comment. I do like this fabric! :)
ReplyDeleteKim, very pretty fabric - being red and white, this is always true!;) You are such a talented seamstress, not to mention, stylist - love the look you've created here for this photo shoot. You've obviously studied all those 'Cottage Style' glossies and could ace any decorating exam, I bet!
ReplyDeletePoppy
Thank you, Poppy! I have a kid taking a photo class right now, so I am studying alongside. I am glad to hear it shows!
DeleteRemarkable and very, very nice freshened up look!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lynne! It’s a nice pick me up after all this snow!
DeleteIt's very nice Kim but I'm partial to lighter colors....as for keeping the desk looking that way that's life. I do use baskets a lot which at least make it look more decorative......until the basket overflows.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ronda! I like baskets, too!
DeleteLol when you said it was always clean and paper free my jaw dropped : )
ReplyDeleteJust a little joke there, Deb! ;)
DeleteI do like the new look of the cabinet very much, the fabric is lovely. And your magazine stand is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI adore fabrics. One of my spring cleaning tasks is to trim down my stash and I'm delaying that one, don't want to part with anything :-)
I have a hard time parting with fabric too, Amalia! So many pretty patterns...
DeleteYou can always use sheets...I even have a couple of vintage sheets..Also make my dishtowels out of them...Then use them for rags later when getting "raggedy" Love the way she did her glass fronts!!
DeleteWhat a great idea! Thanks for the great suggestion and the sweet words!
DeleteThis is a great idea for the glass cupboard doors. We're starting to think about building a house on our property (we presently live in a mobile home with additions), and I like the idea of glass front doors in the kitchen, but I have wondered a little about the possibility of it being annoying to keep things neat and limited inside. This would provide a great option if I found I didn't like the need for tidiness in a cupboard. I would love being able to change out the fabric too, being a fabric lover. That makes me feel like we could do that and be happy with it either way. :-) Thanks for sharing it! I'm going to save it to my file of ideas.
ReplyDeleteI love my glass cabinets, I have them in the kitchen where I keep them unadorned. However, the cabinets over the desk have become a catch all, so covering them up was not only pretty, but functional, as well! It's the best of both worlds!
DeleteThe new cabinet curtains look so pretty, Kim! I really like the soft shirred look.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol. I really like the fresh feel they have now!
DeleteI really like your desk area. It is a good combo of country and efficiency. I guess what I mean is that it is authentic. I can imagine that one actually works at the desk. I'll have to go back and check out the partially slipcovered chair - looks intriguing!
ReplyDeleteI do work at the desk. I really wanted a free standing piece of furniture in the space, but this worked best! I hope you like the chair...that was a necessity after an unnamed someone did a bit of damage...ugh.
DeleteAhhh fabric to the rescue and you did an exquisite job :^)
ReplyDeleteI don't even want to think about fabric today...I have YARDS of the stuff all over my dining room. Eventually it will be made up into curtains, pillows, chair cushions etc., for the dining and living rooms. At this moment it is being used as a hidey hole for a certain princess cat! She has been having a ball jumping in and out!
Your desk is great, and I'm a green eyed monster :^) If I even HAD a desk, it would never be clean and pretty. I'm a confessed junque collector :^0
Blessings,
J
Thanks J! I love fabric…I just have a thing for all the color and texture. Right now I am wrestling with my sewing machine trying to scrap together a new curtain out of the old panels from the glass cabinets. It’s slow go and I don’t have a kitty friend to entertain me! :) Good luck with your projects!
DeleteYes! I am a fabric junkie! Your cabinets are beautiful with the fabric added. Now you don't have to worry about making everything exactly perfect inside for display. Using Velcro was a great idea. :-)
ReplyDeleteKim @ Curtain Queen Creates
Exactly, Kim...and trust me, the insides are not perfect!! ;) Not even close!
DeleteWhat a wonderful and simple way to enliven spaces. I must confess that my desk seldom looks as neat as yours. How do you do it?
ReplyDeleteHaha ~ Thanks Lulu! I stick all the mess in the desk drawers and hide it behind the fabric! ;)
DeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteI love how you have added the fabric to those glass cabinet doors. Thanks so much for sharing at my Show and Share Party.
Blessings,
Linda
Thanks for coming by to take a peek, Linda and for the pretty party! :)
DeleteDamn it! I actually fell for that trick that you kept it that clean LOL
ReplyDeleteI love what you did with the glass doors and all your projects :)
I have no idea how I got this far behind on your posts... catching up now...
xo
I really do try to keep that desk clean, Rue, but it just doesn't happen. It's a giant catch all.
DeleteWhat a great way to add fabric to your cabinet doors. I have a hutch that I have been wanting to add some fabric too and now I know how to do it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks Robing. It's a super easy cheat! :)
DeleteLove the Spring update on the cupboard doors. You've created a lovely space!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carolyn! It was an easy update, for sure!
DeleteI am loving the white that everyone is decorating with. But alas I can only look. My husband prefers leather and wood! Stopping by from The Over 40 Bloggers. Thank you for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteI like wood and leather, too, Kathy. I also like color and lots of it. I do have white in my kitchen but it is accented by red walls, dark flooring and wood pieces. I have tried the all white look and it's just not me!
DeleteWow, the fabric behind the cabinets looks really nice! Great job. I'm visiting from the Over40 FB group - nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you, too, Melanie. Thanks for peeking at my fabric trick. It really is super easy! :)
DeleteLove the tutorial and your fabric ideas. Pinning & sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Wendi! You just made my day!! :)
DeleteI love this idea, and I see you've used fabric to decorate other items in your home. You're so creative! Saw your link at DIY Party.
ReplyDeleteMary
Thanks Mary! I love to use scraps...nothing goes to waste! ;)
DeleteKim I love this idea using the fabric with velcro was genius. And you can change it out so easily.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary! Have velcro, will cover!! And it's cheap too!!
DeleteI Love this idea, so going to try it..
ReplyDeletean from what little I can see, I also like what you've done off to the side.
Would it be possible to see you magazine bins.. THAT also is SO Genius!!
Thanks Jennifer! I wish I could say that the magazine bins were a DIY, but there were a store purchase. They are genius, I agree, just not my idea! ;)
DeleteHey Kim. Thanks for the reminder of this lovely fabric cheat. You know me - I'd use my sewing machine to make neat gathers and perhaps even sew a strip of fabric along the gathers to keep them in line and easier to pull tight. I always overthink projects! You do it so much easier!
ReplyDeleteI'm just much lazier than you are, Nancy!! And thank you, my friend! :)
DeleteWish my cabinets were glass. I love fabric and your idea is so pretty. Maybe I can find someone to put glass in my cabinets. Thank you for your pretty ideas !
ReplyDeleteI have seen people do that. Usually the center panel from most cabinets can be removed and if you can't find glass you can have it cut. It might be pricey, but for a few cabinets, it might be worth it! Good luck and thanks for the comment!
DeleteHi, just wanted to tell you, I loved this article. It was
ReplyDeleteinspiring. Keep on posting!
Why thank you very much!
DeleteBeautiful and such a great idea. I love it. I love the tulips too. Enjoy :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! Tulips are my favorite!
DeleteMay I ask how many yards of fabric this project took?!:) Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi Anniejoy, my cabinet doors are each 16" wide by 27" long. I cut each piece of fabric to 24" wide by 27" inches. The 24" wide is 1 1/2x the width of the 16" door and that gave me enough material to shir. So I needed 1 1/2 yards and that gave me enough fabric for 4 panels, but I only needed the three. I hope that helps!
Delete