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How to upcycle a hutch

Upgrade Kitchen Hutch

Overview

A traditional hutch is a fantastic multi-faceted storage solution for living spaces, offering plenty of space for crockery, cutlery, glasses or other household items. However, sometimes they can date a room, or don’t match your current aesthetic. 

Luckily, they are incredibly easy to upcycle! With a few everyday D.I.Y. items and a day or two, you can transform your hutch into a fantastic furnishing that elevates your space, satisfying both form and function. 

It’s best to move your hutch to an outdoor space before starting this project – this way, you won’t have to worry about dust or paint hitting spots it shouldn’t! If this isn’t possible, make sure to cover all surrounding surfaces with a drop sheet or plastic covering to make cleaning up easier. 

Steps

1Remove any handles

Use a screwdriver to remove all handles from the hutch.
Use a screwdriver to remove all handles

2Sand it back

Now it’s time to sand back the hutch to remove the shine. Place on your safety gear (glasses, mask and ear coverings). For larger and flatter areas, you can use the power sander. 

For the more detailed areas, use a sanding block. Once you’re finished, wipe off excess dust with a micofibre cloth. 

Using electric sander on timber

3Remove the drawers

Remove the hutch drawers and doors, and tape up the windows to protect them from paint splatters
Tape the window

4Paint the hutch

Open the paint tin with the tin opener, pour the paint into the paint pot and stir using the stirrer. Now you’re ready to start painting! With this particular paint, you don’t have to use a primer, so the colour can go straight on. Make sure you paint in strokes for an even application. 
Painting a timber door

5Apply a second coat

Once you’ve done one coat, including the detached doors and the front of the drawers, leave to dry and then apply a second coat. 
Painting a kitchen hutch

6Re-attach doors and handles

Once everything is dry, re-attach your doors and handles and pop your drawers back in. If you’re replacing the handles, now’s the time to install the new versions. Remove the tape from the windows and wipe off any remaining dust or paint. Your hutch is now ready to go back inside!
Re-attach doors and handles on kitchen hutch

7What will you upcycle?

Ready to get painting? Explore our wide range of paint. 
Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.