Distressed and Antiqued Kitchen Cabinets
![Customize Your Kitchen Cabinets: Antiquing Anyone? Antiqued white kitchen cabinet with exposed shelves and kitchenware.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2010/9/16/0/original_Layla-Palmer-kitchen-antiqued-cabinets-beauty-2_s3x4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1400950321606.webp)
Materials Needed:
- rubber gloves
- mocha-tinted antiquing glaze (available at most home improvement stores)
- smooth cotton rags
- painters' tape
- sanding block
- 80-grit sandpaper
- small paintbrush
- spray polyurethane
Clean Cabinets
Put on a pair of rubber gloves and wipe cabinet faces with a damp rag to remove surface dirt. Let the cabinets dry completely before moving on to the next step.
![Antiquing Kitchen Cabinets: Make Them Squeaky Clean First Empty half of a white kitchen cabinet following cleaning.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2010/10/13/1/original_Layla-Palmer-kitchen-antiqued-cabinets-step1_s3x4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1400952538025.webp)
Protect Walls
Use painters' tape to protect the walls around cabinets. Glaze dries slowly, so there is usually time to clean up an accidental mark, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
Sand Edges
Using a sanding block wrapped in 80-grit sandpaper, sand raised edges and corners of each cabinet door and/or opening. Sand until the wood under paint is fully exposed.
![Antiquing Kitchen Cabinets: Sand the Edges and Corners Sanding a white kitchen cabinet with a sanding block.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2010/10/13/0/original_Layla-Palmer-kitchen-antiqued-cabinets-step3_s3x4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1400951575846.webp)
Apply Antiquing Glaze
Add a small amount of antiquing glaze to a smooth, clean rag. Begin applying the glaze to the front or side of one cabinet in small, circular motions until you've covered the entire section. Tip: A small amount of glaze will go a very long way. It's better to start with too little glaze rather than too much.
![Antiquing Kitchen Cabinets: Applying the Glaze Glazing a kitchen cabinet with antiquing glaze using a rag.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2010/10/13/1/original_Layla-Palmer-kitchen-antiqued-cabinets-step4_s4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1400952375306.webp)
Smooth Finish
Once the entire front or side of a cabinet has been covered in glaze, use a clean area of your rag and a very light touch to smooth out all the circular marks. Gently wipe the glaze in straight up-and-down or side-to-side motion until the desired effect is achieved.
![Antiquing Kitchen Cabinets: Smoothing Out the Antiquing Glaze Smoothing out the antiquing glaze on a white kitchen cabinet.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2010/10/13/1/original_Layla-Palmer-kitchen-antiqued-cabinets-step5_s3x4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1400952374868.webp)
Darken Edges
Using a small brush, add more antiquing glaze to the distressed parts of the cabinets and/or doors. It's OK to apply the glaze liberally in these places because some of it will be removed in the next step.
![Antiquing Kitchen Cabinets: Darken Cabinets With Glaze Darkening a distressed cabinet with glaze to darken its edges.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2010/10/13/1/original_Layla-Palmer-kitchen-antiqued-cabinets-step6_s3x4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1400952375350.webp)
Remove Excess Glaze
Wrap a smooth, clean rag around your index finger and carefully wipe off any excess glaze that's accumulated outside of the distressed spots created in the previous step.
![Antiquing Kitchen Cabinets: Wiping Off Excess Antiquing Glaze Wiping off excess glaze from a cabinet with a soft cloth.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2010/10/13/1/original_Layla-Palmer-kitchen-antiqued-cabinets-step7_s3x4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1400952374824.webp)
Distress Remaining Cabinets
Continue working, cabinet by cabinet, until every desired surface has been antiqued. Make sure to stand back every now and then to ensure the overall effect is consistent. When finished, let the glaze dry for at least 24 hours before sealing it.
Protect the Finish
Spray on a light coat of clear, non-yellowing sealer to protect the distressed finish from damage. Tip: It's very important to use a non-yellowing sealer as regular polyurethane will turn yellow if applied over white paint.