What if you could take basic, builder-grade cabinets and make them look like custom, high-end millwork—all on a budget? I’m Lena Taylor from Flipping Gorgeous, and in this project, I’m showing you exactly how I turned affordable Hampton Bay stock cabinets from Home Depot into designer-level cabinetry for my butler’s pantry.
⬇️ EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR THIS PROJECT IS LISTED BELOW ⬇️
Step 1: Choosing the Right Cabinets
Instead of pricey custom cabinetry, I picked up unfinished beech Hampton Bay Shaker wall cabinets. These are typically used as uppers, but I used them as base cabinets in my narrow butler’s pantry.
🛒 Hampton Bay Unfinished Beech Cabinets:
• https://rstyle.me/+oQl2U7L1wsdfcAON8G…
• https://rstyle.me/+tQs-MWXqyCtLV8RaDP…
• https://rstyle.me/+m7_pUcgNLLHQxdF3GZ…
Step 2: Add Custom-Looking Panels
To elevate the look, I attached decorative wall panels to the doors using wood glue and a brad nailer. It gave the flat cabinet fronts much-needed texture and dimension.
🛒 Raised Wall Panels:
• https://rstyle.me/+6YDwsk3GPYF0LU-zba…
• https://rstyle.me/+KB_pWtqZvU0BmyMuNP…
🛠️ Tools Used:
• RYOBI AirStrike Brad Nailer: https://rstyle.me/+U8zvnB5iH-aHrCd5zn…
• Elmer’s Carpenter’s Wood Glue: https://rstyle.me/+lLdI3lX0g_1RABuEqF…
Step 3: Fill, Prime & Paint Like a Pro
I sealed the seams with Bondo (hello durability!), primed the cabinets with my go-to BIN 1-2-3 Primer, and then painted with Jolie chalk paint for a smooth, designer finish.
🛒 Products:
• Bondo All-Purpose Putty: https://amzn.to/3JwpzEj
• Zinsser 1-2-3 Primer: https://amzn.to/3OTwtVj
• Jolie Chalk Finish Paint: https://amzn.to/3vHidYR
• Paint Brushes: https://rstyle.me/+39ZxLyCGM7xIPrSazQ…
Step 4: Glaze for a Custom Finish
To match my original Thomasville cabinets, I used Retique It Gel Stain in a weathered gray and applied it with a very wet sponge. This gave the cabinets a rich, dimensional look.
🛒 Glazing Products:
• Retique It Gel Stain: https://amzn.to/3JrWj1v
• Varathane Satin Polyurethane: https://amzn.to/3SuCFWS
The Final Reveal
The result? A completely transformed space. My affordable cabinets now sit alongside my original, expensive Thomasville ones—and you can hardly tell the difference. Mission accomplished on making stock cabinets look luxe!
🛒 Shop All My DIY Must-Haves:
• https://rstyle.me/+oQl2U7L1wsdfcAON8G…
• https://tinyurl.com/yc2yb3zt
Let’s Chat!
Would you try this hack? Have you ever repurposed stock cabinets in your own home? Drop a comment below, and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this with your DIY-loving friends. And remember—you are flipping gorgeous, my friend. 💖
