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Old kitchen cabinetry was upcycled to help create a home office.
The project
We transformed a guest bedroom into a home office using custom cabinetry from an old kitchen and materials from Bunnings.
The bottom cabinets were painted with Dulux paint, while the old cabinet shells were cut, nailed, and repurposed into top shelving.
We also repurposed old VJ roofing and added it to the back of the cabinets for texture. We added new timber benchtops, brass knobs and installed strip lighting under the shelves for a modern touch. The window was also repainted to complete the look.
This creative and budget-friendly project showcases the versatility of Bunnings materials and a bit of DIY ingenuity.
Steps
Step 1
Painting the window: Clean window with soapy water and dry cloth. Use the painter's masking tape to tape the edges of the window. Use the primer to prime both sides of the window. Give two coats of enamel paint.
Step 2
Make the top cabinets: Cut the old top cabinet shells (particle board) to new size with an electric saw. Glue and nail cabinet shells (we created four separate shelving sections). We added a sheet of used ply to the bottom of the cabinets (leave a 2 cm gap between the wall and the bottom ply for the strip light).
Cut VJ panels to size to fit behind each shelving unit, this is to keep them rigid. Glue and screw each top cabinet in place. Paint the new cabinets with the Renovation Range Primer. Give the new cabinets two coats of paint (low sheen or satin). Add strip light to the gap at the bottom of the cabinet.
Step 3
Preparing bottom cabinets: Lightly sand the bottom cabinets. Give each cabinet a coat of Renovation Range Primer. Give the cabinets two coats of paint (low sheen or satin). Add the brass knobs.
Step 4
Finishing: Paint walls with a low sheen paint (same colour as bottom cabinets). Put the bottom cabinets in place and screw them to the wall. Add a trim along the wall to hold the benchtop. Cut and place benchtop on top of bottom cabinets. Seal benchtops with Cabinet Makers Wax or chosen wood sealer.
Tools and materials
Materials used in the project:
- Timber benchtops
- Dulux Ultra Air paint
- Brass knobs
- Satin Rust Guard enamel paint
- Gilly's Cabinet Makers Wax
- Timber trim Pine
- Renovation Range Primer
- Wood glue
- Painter's tape
- Strip light warm.
Tools used in the project:
More inspiration for your home office
Bunnings Workshop member Elle created a desk using upcycled filing cabinets and fitting an Acacia panel on top.
Community member Simon created a budget-friendly home office desk with a hardwood timber panel and back strip lighting.
Get more inspiration from 10 home office project ideas and 10 ways to update your home office.
