How to tart up my filing drawers?

I have been given a set of filing drawers (three drawers tall), and they work great, but are quick tatty to look at. I'm trying to cut down on rubbishy things in my house, not increase it, but I need to bring them inside so I've got somewhere to keep all my business stuff (instead of the kitchen bench :shakehead:). There are even a couple of little rust patches on it!

Any suggestions on how I can improve its look?

My thoughts so far....

Give it a sand, some rust repair, and pretend its my delightful old car that I'm restoring, then spray paint (ooh, maybe matt black so it's like a chalkboard).

Instead of spray painting as above, cover it with some heavy fabric, like denim or a canvas, and the drawers with a heavy paper or vinyl. If I cover it with fabric, then I don't know how I would be able to clean it.

HELP! Please, and thanks.

Netix go to Martha Stewart dot com!!!!

I am ADDICTED to that website! She has loads of ideas for tarting up stuff like that.

My first thought would be to paint it and stencil a funky pattern over it. But i'm no Martha....oh how I wish :rofl:

Stencil is an awesome idea.
Wallpaper? You could find some funky retro designs, or Laura Ashley offcuts, or whatever suits your house.
If it's metal, like it sounds, what about magnets? Even if you buy sheets of magnetty stuff and put fabric on those, then you could remove for cleaning.

You could paint it a really wild colour, then get one of those silhouette wall stickers (you know, looks like a swirly thing or a cherry blossom tree, but in silhouette) and stick them all the way up the front. Then add a lamp with a really groovy shade on the top. :)

Great ideas everyone! Looking at Martha's .com now, I love Martha stuff too Tinks!

MD, when I read your post, I thought hot pink paint and a cherry blossom tree! Not sure if I'm that game though.... And I think I may be moving my printer/scanner on top of it (if the cables will reach), so maybe no room for a lamp... But a great idea. It's kind of like the hallway where its going to go (and directly inline with the front door, in front of a mirrored wall), so the lamp is only really visible when you come in the door.

Hehe funny you thought of hot pink, I envisoned a lovely deep shade of fuscia! LOL Go on, be game, it will be a talking point! :)

I say hot pink, you say fuchsia!

I was going to say that if I can't put a lamp on the top, I may put a small crystal collection or some other equally wonderful spiritual display on there. (Sharing the space with my printer :()

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I say hot pink, you say fuchsia!

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Yeah, except you spell it properly :lol:

You could cover the printer with a really nice cloth (when it's not in use) so you get like a stepped display. :)

BTW your avvy is *gorgeous*

THANKS MD! I love your avi too.

Lol, I used spell check, because I had about three attempts at it and couldn't quite get it right! fuscia... fushia.... Lol

I was going to cover the printer anyway (it is now), with something pretty. I can't put too much on the top of the printer as its the lid for the scanner (but atm its got a stack of picture frames and books on it, so it can't be too bad - I HOPE!). I'll have to have a play around with what I put there. I just realised, where its going to go is almost the dead centre of the house.... calls for it to be the centre of positive things for the house I think.

I was looking around online for a cherry blossom tree, found a couple... I will have to make a space outside to work on the cabinet too.

Just subscribing because I LOVE these ideas! I might have to think of things I have that need tarting up ;)

Lol Jasp, just choose anything! Have a look at martha stewart dot com, in the home and garden diy decorating, and you might just have to redecorate a chair or two! I'm tempted... :)

You could use contact paper. I like snugglybeans idea with the fabric on magents. You can buy it in sheets.

Netix, How awesome is Martha?

I'm doing her foyer ideas, my entry hall is always cluttered and messy which drives me insane. I'm going to Ikea on Wed for some supplies........look out!!

I reckon you should go the fuschia with a black and light pink cherry blossom design and a beaded lamp on top. That sounds awesome.

I love Martha. I was going to go for that colour cherry blossom, with some white highlights to brighten it a little.

I haven't seen or heard of that fabric magnet stuff. Where do you get it from?

Was also thinking it would be nice to be able to let the kids put their magnets on it. Maybe. Would keep them out of the kitchen! The other thought I had was to cover the cabinet in timber veneer... oak or something else nice.... Still think I'll go fuschia though.

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I'll have to have a play around with what I put there. I just realised, where its going to go is almost the dead centre of the house.... calls for it to be the centre of positive things for the house I think.

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AHa! Another feng shui/ home energy enthusiast! :D Enjoy your beautification!

Thought - why not make a u-shape wooden cover for the printer, that just slides over it? Then you could put a cloth etc on it, and it would be flat & stable ... You could even make a slide-out shelf for it (actually that could tip unless it was attached to the filing cabinet)

I do like the idea of using the cabinet as a chalkboard though!