Decorating Tips, Porch, Thrifting, Vintage + Antiques

Budget Screen Porch Furniture Ideas: Thrifted Antique China Cabinet

Y’all, I’ve always wanted one of those 1920s Antique China Cabinets. However, since we downsized, we don’t have room for more furniture. But guess what, I found one at a thrift store for only $45.00, and I couldn’t pass it by. To my husband’s dismay, I brought it home and said, “I’ll find a place for it”. You’re going to love this budget-friendly screen porch furniture idea. I’m sharing how we did a quick makeover to make it work with our other porch decor and how I styled it for summer.

Thrifted Antique China Cabinet Makeover

(Posts on The Ponds Farmhouse may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See the full disclosure details here.)

What To Do With The Thrifted Antique China Cabinet $45.00 Deal

So, what to do with my $45.00 Antique China Cabinet deal? Well, to be honest, it sat on my husband’s side of the workshop for several months, and he complained about it daily. The cabinet was in good shape overall. However, there was a piece of trim work at the top of the cabinet with some loose pieces in the design, so I removed the trim instead of trying to repair it. Then it just sat there gathering dust. Finally, a few weeks ago, we decided to add it to the dining space in our screened porch.

To work with our other decor, I wanted to paint the cabinet. The natural wood felt too formal for an outdoor space. I also decided to remove the fretwork from the glass door. Since the door would be closed, I wanted the contents to be more visible.

$45.00 Thrift Store Antique China Cabinet
Fretwork for antique china cabinet door

How To Refinish Furniture With Chalk Paint

Y’all know that I love using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint for most of my furniture makeovers. It’s easy to use and has a quick drying time. Since I was recovering from my first week of chemotherapy treatments, Brad took advantage of the downtime to remove the cabinet from his workspace. With my suggestions, he did all the hard work. Here are the step-by-step instructions to refinish the cabinet with chalk paint.

  • Remove all the hardware and fretwork from the cabinet
  • Clean the cabinet thoroughly to remove all dust and debris. I suggest using a brush to remove dust from all the nooks, crannies, and crevices.
  • Either remove or tape off the glass with painters’ tape.
  • Use wood filler to repair any damaged areas to the wood. Allow to dry and sand smooth.
  • Remove any dust with a tack cloth.
  • Paint all wood surfaces with Old White Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. Brad painted two coats.
  • Wax with Annie Sloan Clear and Dark Wax and buff. I recommend mixing the wax for the best results. I used 2 parts clear to 1 part dark for this project.
  • Buff with a rough cloth such as a drop cloth fabric or an old bath cloth. This will sometimes remove paint around the edges of the furniture.
    • To achieve a smooth, non-distressed finish, use a gentle touch to avoid removing any paint.
    • If you prefer a more distressed finish, lightly sand with fine-grit sandpaper before waxing. You can read more about using chalk paint at How to Use Chalk Paint.
  • Replace all hardware.
Tape glass on antique china cabinet
Antique China Cabinet Before
Painted Antique China Cabinet
After – two coats of chalk paint
Adding wax to painted china cabinet
Adding Wax and Buffing

Supply List

Adding An Antique China Cabinet To the Screen Porch

We have a large screen porch, which includes a seating area and a dining area. I’d spend all my time here if I could. Therefore, making the space cozy and inviting is my goal.

I had previously used a thrifted old cabinet piece behind the table. It was very rustic and primitive. With the new Antique China Cabinet, I saw an opportunity to dress up the space and enjoyed decorating it for summer.

Antique China Cabinet on the screen porch behind the table.

How To Decorate a China Cabinet For Summer?

To decorate the china cabinet, I began by pulling out some of my summer dinnerware. The Summer Provence dishes are so festive and fun. Fortunately, the shelves in the china cabinet have plate grooves allowing me to place the plates at the back to brighten the display.

Adding summer dishes to the antique china cabinet

The festive dishes are a perfect backdrop for my vintage ironstone dessert plates and a small tureen. To add a little sparkle, I added a set of vintage silver salt and pepper shakers.

Summer dishes, small tureen and antique silver salt and pepper shakers

Another shelf holds a vintage milk glass cake stand, with stacks of dishes and butter pats holding a sweet summer bird. The thrifted pewter pitcher with its aged patina brightens the dark corner.

Antique cake stand, stack of dishes and bird in china cabinet

Decorating The Top of the Cabinet

Y’all know that I love to decorate all the surfaces. So the top of the china cabinet is no exception. Let’s fill her up! LOL.

I’m so glad I removed the clunky ornamental piece from the top because it allows me more freedom to decorate the top of the cabinet. I began with a chippy old window I rescued from a dumpster years ago. The etched glass panes help to disguise the electrical outlet and TV hook-up, which my husband deemed a necessity when we built the house. LOL..

Antique China Cabinet on Screen Porch Decorated for Summer

To complete the cabinet top styling, I added a thrifted hanging basket filled with delicate red flowers, stacks of dishes and bowls, and a collection of vintage green bottles.

Hanging woven basket with flowers on old window
Vintage green bottle collection on top of antique china cabinet

The new antique China Cabinet has enhanced our screened porch dining area without spending a fortune. The cost of the makeover was minimal, and the $45.00 cabinet looks good as new.

Antique China Cabinet filled with summer dinnerware on screen porch

FAQ

That is a good question. I have had my vintage wood farmhouse table on the porch for almost 9 years. I have only ever used Annie Sloan Wax to protect the surface. The area doesn’t get wet, however it is exposed to moisture. I have had some peeling paint but for the most part everything has survived without damage. Since we added the new Antique China Cabinet, we decided to add a roll up shade to that end of the porch for added protection.

If you want to ensure no damage I suggest using a marine grade polyutherine sealer.

Most likely not! I’ve seen many of these china cabinets that cost a lot more than $45.00. If I’d paid more for it, I’d hesitate to use it outdoors. But for only $45.00 I’ll take the risk. If I see that it’s getting damaged, I’ll probably move it inside.

I like an easy way to refinish furniture. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is the best I’ve found and is quick and easy to use. I also like that you can easily create a vintage painted feel using the wax as a hard coat. For more information see – How To Use Chalk Paint.

For the last several years, the porch is only open during the late spring, summer and early fall. It is covered with vinyl during the winter and until after the pollen stops falling. This has allowed us to use the porch almost year round and helps to keep it clean. During the summer, I dust and vaccume the porch just like the inside of my house. If I expect heavy rains and winds, I pull items to the center of the room and remove fabrics such as pillows and throw blankets. We have a closet, in the porch, that will hold all the seat cushions and such when not in use.

Adding A Roll Up Screen To The Porch

Last year, we added two rollup screens to the front of the porch to block the sun in the evenings. When we decided to add the Antique China Cabinet to the porch, we also added another layer of protection by installing a roll-up screen in the dining area. Although not waterproof, it will prevent rain from splashing into the porch around the table and cabinet. The 96×96 roll-up screen is a light-filtering option, so the room still feels light and airy.

Updated China cabinet on screen porch with roll up shade

Resources: Shop This Post

In Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed how we updated our screen porch with the thrift store antique china cabinet. My advice is to snap up a great deal when you come across one, because you’ll always find a use for such finds.

You'll Also Love

12 Comments

  1. I’m like you, I could never leave that beautiful piece for only $45. It turned out so beautiful.

    Reply

    1. Debbie,
      It’s an addiction. LOL. I’m glad you like how it turned out. I appreciate you for commenting. Have a blessed day.

      Reply

  2. What did you do with the fretwork from the glass door? That was my favorite part of the cabinet!

    Reply

    1. Suzie,
      I still have it. I debated removing it but the clear glass won out. If I ever move the cabinet to a new location I can always add it back. I appreciate your comments.

      Reply

    1. Oh, I’m so glad you like it. Yes, I use red birds on my porch at Christmas and they will really shine on the white cabinet. Thank you so much for commenting.

      Reply

  4. Very sweet re-do of the cabinet. I did like the insert in the middle panel, but it does look better removed. Thanks for sharing your cancer journey, I hope your courage and bravery inspires many. I wasn’t able to read
    about it at first, because our family has someone on a challenging journey too. It was good for me to hear your ups and downs. We need to learn how to navigate both. Please don’t worry about the blog, people will be patient. Take care in the days and weeks ahead. I have had to learn many lessons from “take one day at a time”. May faith sustain you.

    Reply

    1. Donna,
      Thank you for your sweet comment. I’m so sorry you and your family are facing a challenging journey. It’s a very emotional time! So many ups and downs. But hang in there, keep a good attitude and know that God has this. I’m feeling so much better as I write this and it’s hard to think I’ll start all over next Friday. Donna, if you ever want to share more, I’ll be happy to add your family member to my prayer list. Have a blessed day.

      Reply

  5. Love the redo of the cabinet Rachel ! I wasn’t sure about removing the fret work however it looks beautiful.
    Sending healing prayers

    Reply

    1. Sharon,
      I debated removing it also. However, I saved it. LOL. so if at some point I want to add it back I can. Glad you like the makeover.

      Reply

  6. Rachel, another beautiful makeover! I have been mostly absent from social media as we’ve moved, so I wasn’t aware of your diagnosis. Lifting you in prayer right now and believing God will sustain you through this journey ♡ This is a verse that has helped me during a recent challenging season Joshua 1:9 “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

    Reply

    1. Cindy,
      Thank you for your sweet compliments and I appreciate your for your prayers and scripture verse. I hope you are settling into your new home and I hope you have a blessed week.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *