Filing Cabinet Makeover {tutorial}

I don't know if I can really call this a tutorial- but I haven't done one in a long time- so here it is :)

We had the typical (ugly!) filing cabinet. A biege-ish, cold, big, hunkin' piece of metal that did nothing for the beauty of my craft room/office.

Here is the before:

Step 1: Supplies

I found this cute contact paper from the Dollar Store. I got two rolls of it. 

I also used this plastic scrapper (also from the Dollar Store) that I use to pick up veggies to move them. 

It worked really well to get the bubbles out of the contact paper. 

Step 2: Measure and Adhere

Measure the contact paper for each of the sides that you want to cover. 

This was pretty easy for me because the width of the roll was exactly the width of the cabinet. BONUS! 

So I had several fewer cuts to make- which is good because I can't cut straight :) 

I covered the sides and top- minus the back. I figured no one would see it because it's always in a corner somewhere, and I wasn't sure I had enough. 

Step 3: Beautify 

While I really like the contact paper-  I knew that it needed a few more personal touches. I initially painted the handles and the outside trim that mustard color. It just wasn't right.
So then I painted the trip plum and loved it :)
Sometimes you just have to try something different because when it's all said and done the original plan just doesn't look the same way as it did in your head- happens to me all the time! 

So here it is: 

 The finished filing cabinet. 

I actually really like it. 

Definitely a big difference! 

Before & After: 

For 3 bucks! LOVE those kind of crafts! 

Heck- they're the only ones I do :) 

Happy Monday.
p.s. {Its the middle of MAY! Whoa- 2012 is going fast!!}

XOXO

Linking Here: 

Homemaker on a Dime

Singing Three Little Birds