Do you have a kitchen knife block that has seen it's better days?  This is one of those projects that kept getting put on the back burner. I don't know what took me so long because the most time-consuming part of this makeover is waiting for the glue to dry. My Henckel knife block looks like new again...but better!

Kitchen Knife Block Makeover

Even if your wood knife block is newer, why not give it a one-of-a-kind makeover customized to match your kitchen?

I've had this butcher knife block for decades and it definitely showed. It may have been a wedding gift back in 1987, that's how old it is. Sure I could just spend a few bucks and replace it but I'd much rather breathe new life into it rather than have it end up in the landfill.


With just a little TLC not only does the knife block look like new again but it has farmhouse-style that looks so pretty in my kitchen.


What a difference a little paint and a wood applique made to spruce it up. The possibilities for color choices are endless as well as what style of wood applique you use. I had this fleur-de-lis one in my stash for years just waiting for the right project. The size was perfect for covering up all the worn parts of the wood and the logo.


Plus the color and Parisian style matches the painted terracotta pot utensil holder on the tray beside it.

I'm laughing at the photo below because I forgot to remove my MacGyver'd attempt at a window opener tool! 😂  We have a bay window in our kitchen and I can't reach the handle to crank open the window so I use the hole in the dough spatula (I think that's what it is) and it works like a charm!

How To Upcycle A Kitchen Knife Block In Five Easy Steps

Let's get into the nitty-gritty of how to give a knife block an easy peasy makeover.

This post contains affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend for this project. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Step 1 - Prep For Paint

Most knife blocks have a shiny finish or if yours is old like mine, it'll probably have a lot of wear around the knife slots. Give it a light sanding with a sheet of 150 grit sandpaper to smooth out the scratches and remove the shiny finish.

Step 2 - Embellish With Wood Applique

Initially, before deciding to decorate the knife block with an applique I covered the Henckels logo with wood filler. That is an option if you don't want to embellish the front of your knife block.

Otherwise, skip filling the logo and attach a wood applique on the front with wood glue instead.

Step 3 - Paint To Match Kitchen Decor

Paint the knife block in the color of your choice to match your kitchen decor. I painted mine with Behr Chalk Decorative Paint in the color Granny Smith Apple that I had on hand. The nice thing about this chalky paint is that it can be mixed in hundreds of different color choices.

Step 4 - Protect The Paint Finish

Once the paint is completely dry protect the paint with a clear finish. I used my go-to water repellant Dixie Belle Paint Company Gator Hide clear coat that dries rock hard and will retain the finish.

You can skip the next step if you don't want your knife block to have a time-worn finish that gives it farmhouse style. You can see the difference between just the clear coat on the left and the dark wax on the right.

Step 5 - Farmhouse Time-Worn Finish

Brush dark wax all over the knife block, especially in the recesses of the wood applique, and remove the excess wax with a lint-free rag.

Apply more dark wax in a pouncing motion by twisting your wrist from side-to-side along the edges of the knife block. Instead of removing the wax this time, let it cure for a few days. When it no longer feels tacky you're ready to use your one-of-a-kind custom knife block again.


What a difference a little paint made to customize my beat-up knife block. I like it much better than had I simply replaced it with a new kitchen knife block.


If you have any questions about this knife block makeover, please leave them in the comment section below or the Contact Me tab at the top. I love hearing from you!

If you enjoyed this Henckels Knife Block Makeover,  I'd be so thankful if you shared it with a friend and pinned it to your Upcycled Home Decor or Farmhouse Style board on Pinterest.



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