How to Make White Metal Kitchen Cabinets Look Rustic

Giving your white metal kitchen cabinets a rustic look can transform the entire feel of your kitchen. Rustic design is all about creating a warm, cozy, and lived-in aesthetic. For metal cabinets, achieving this timeworn style requires adding texture, dimension, and an aged, weathered appearance. With the right techniques, you can make your sleek, crisp white cabinets look like they came straight out of a chic farmhouse. Here is an in-depth guide on how to make white metal kitchen cabinets look rustic.

Prep the Cabinets

Before you start distressing your cabinets, proper prep work is essential for getting the rustic metal finish to turn out right.

Clean the Cabinets

Make sure your cabinets are thoroughly cleaned to remove any grease, grime, or residue. Degrease them with a strong cleaner like TSP substitute. Rinse and let them dry completely.

Sand the Cabinets

Lightly sand the cabinets using 150-220 grit sandpaper. This helps the paint adhere better. Focus on sanding any glossy areas.

Prime the Cabinets

Apply a high-bond primer like Stix to give the distressing paint something to grab onto. Allow the primer coat to fully dry per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Apply Base Paint Color

Paint the cabinets in a matte white base color with an enamel cabinet paint. Allow to dry completely before distressing.

Distress the Cabinets

Distressing techniques like chippy paint, sanding, and rubbing allow you to mimic the worn, weathered look of timeworn rustic cabinets.

Chippy Paint Effect

• Apply a top coat of paint in a light chippy color like antique white in a matte or flat sheen.
• Once dry, use a stiff bristle brush to chip away paint around the edges and corners.
• Focus on distressing areas that would naturally wear like edges, knobs, and trim.
• Reveal as much or as little of the bottom white layer as desired for your rustic look.

Sand and Rub Paint

• Once the top chippy paint has fully cured, use 120-150 grit sandpaper to lightly smooth and distress areas.
• Also rub down paint with steel wool for an authentic worn appearance.
• Sand and rub paint more heavily on corners, edges, and knobs where most natural wear occurs.

Create Worn Appearance

• Use an orbital sander with 150 grit paper on flat surface areas to wear down to metal in spots.
• Scrub with a heavy-duty scouring pad to create rusted looking spots.
• Wipe corners and edges with mineral spirits on a rag to break up paint for a timeworn look.

Add Rustic Elements

Adding hardware, texture, and dimension really elevates your metal cabinets and gives them that quintessential rustic farmhouse style.

Hardware

Swap out modern hardware for antique-style pulls, knobs, and handles. Opt for finishes like antique brass, oil-rubbed bronze, or aged iron.

Textured Paint

For added dimension, try mixing sand or plaster into your topcoat paint for a rough, grainy texture. Or apply a textured plaster wash after painting.

Wood Accents

Add wood accents like solid wood trim, shelves, or boxes on open shelves. Aged, raw reclaimed wood works perfectly for a rustic aesthetic.

Display Farmhouse Accessories

Style open shelves with rustic ceramic jars, woven baskets, and vintage-inspired items. Don’t over-style for an authentic lived-in look.

Seal and Protect the Finish

Once you’ve achieved the desired distressed, rustic look, seal and protect the finish so it maintains its timeworn appeal.

• Apply a satin or matte polyurethane topcoat to seal in the paint layers.
• Opt for an oil-based version for the most durable and long-lasting finish.
• Allow each coat to fully cure 72 hours before adding an additional coat.
• Two to three thin coats provide better protection than one thick coat.

Giving tired flat white metal cabinets a rustic makeover can reinvent the entire look and feel of your kitchen. With the right techniques and a bit of elbow grease, you can transform the sleek cabinets into chic, timeworn beauties that look straight from a magazine. Just be sure to properly prep, prime, and seal the finish. The result will be a warm, welcoming kitchen space with loads of farmhouse character and charm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of paint should I use to distress metal kitchen cabinets?

Chalk paint or milk paint work best for distressing because they adhere well but also chip easily to create that timeworn look. Always apply over a high-adhesion primer first.

What sheen should I use for my distressed white metal cabinets?

Matte and flat sheens look most authentic for distressed, rustic cabinets since glossy finishes are too sleek for the worn farmhouse aesthetic.

What color should I paint the bottom layer for white distressed cabinets?

A bright matte white makes the best base for distressing. Choose a true white without yellow or grey undertones. Swiss Coffee by Behr is a popular white cabinet color.

Should I distress before or after installing the cabinets?

It’s best to install first, then distress for a more organic, natural look. Distressing after installation also allows you to see how the cabinets look in the space.

How can I distress my cabinets without sanding?

Rubbing them with steel wool, waxing and buffing, and wiping them with rags soaked in paint thinner are all effective no-sand options.

What kind of hardware looks best with distressed white cabinets?

Antique brass, oil-rubbed bronze, aged iron, and matte black hardware pair beautifully with distressed white cabinets for a timeless rustic kitchen.

Conclusion

Transforming sleek white metal cabinets by distressing them into rustic beauties can give your kitchen loads of cozy farmhouse charm. With the right prep, paint, and finishing techniques, you can turn crisp white cabinets into chic focal points that look like they came straight out of a Fixer Upper episode. Pay attention to detail as you chip, wear, sand, and age the cabinets for the most authentic antique style that perfectly achieves the trendy rustic look.