Preparation

• Before you start to refinish your antique cabinets, you'll need to remove the cabinet doors so that you can work on them separately. It's a good idea to number the cabinets and doors with small pieces of masking tape, so that you'll remember which door goes where when you go to put them back on.
  
  Take a moment to assess the cabinets. Look to see whether they are painted or stained, and decide whether you want to paint them or if you want to only stain them. In general, antique cabinets are usually painted, and repainting them will give them a warm cottage feel.
  
  

Sanding and Stripping

• Depending on what kind of surface you're working with, you'll need to either strip or sand the cabinets before you apply paint or stain. If you are planning on painting the cabinets another color, all you need to do is sand them lightly to remove some of the sheen so that the new paint can adhere properly.
  
  If you are planning to stain them, you'll need to use a paint stripper and spatula to scrape all the paint away. Ask a home improvement store employee which type of stripper is best to use for antique cabinets, and work in a well-ventilated area, as paint stripper can be especially pungent.
  
  

Application

• Once you've sanded or stripped the cabinets, you can repaint or re-stain them. If you are planning to paint them, choose a cottage color, such as white, sage green or faded blue so they retain their antique appeal. Apply a primer and allow the cabinets to dry before applying the new paint. Two coats of paint are necessary for a clean finish.
  
  If you are staining the cabinets, you'll need to choose a stain that fits in with the rest of the antique cottage. A light, honey-colored stain would work well. Use a sponge brush to gently paint the stain on the cabinets, and make sure to work some stain into the corners. You can also use a darker stain in the corners to make the cabinets look more authentically antique.
  
  Allow the cabinets and doors to dry, and then match up the numbers to reinstall the doors in their proper places.