Confession time:
I am a complete Fixer Upper addict.
And since we were blessed enough to (finally!) buy our first home a few months ago, I have been trying to reign in my inner Joanna Gaines spirit animal because I just want to shiplap all of the things! We’ve made a lot of progress in updating our kitchen from what can only be described as salmon pink to a more modern farmhouse kitchen. However, I knew it was missing a few details that would really add some character. Cue running across this adorable farmhouse pantry makeover from Little Glass Jar and I knew focusing on the pantry door would have the drama and unique look that would really set our kitchen apart. Our DIY farmhouse pantry door turned out amazing and only took a weekend and a few supplies to put together.
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Initially, we really wanted to use reclaimed wood for a more rustic look for this project. However, there seems to be a lack of it in the area and we were tired of running around searching for the right pieces. In the end, using new yellow pine turned out to be the cheaper option and allowed us to really make it our own while still keeping the farmhouse character we wanted.
Supplies:
- 4 x 8 1/2 in plywood
- 8′ 4×1 planks (12 for a 24″ door)
- Wood glue
- Long extension wood clamps
- Hand clamps
- 2″ Brad Nailer or finishing nails
- Gate hinges
- Gate handle & sliding lock
- Magnetic door holders (2-3)
- Table saw
- Circular saw
- Hammer
- Pry bar
- Level
- Measuring tape
- Belt sander or sandpaper
- 3″ wood screws
- Wood stain
- Small cloth towels
Tutorial:
First, we measured the pantry door that we were replacing and removed the door, hinges and all, from the door frame. We then cut our plywood using the circular saw to the dimensions of the door.
After all of the cuts were made, we sanded the surfaces down but left some knots and blemishes. This was to really give it that weathered, reclaimed look.
Using the table saw, we then measured and cut the 4×1 planks. To continue giving the door farmhouse character, try and use the most roughed up side of the planks.
Next, we used the table saw to rip one plank lengthwise to evenly fit the plywood backing. We used this plank on the innermost part to be partially hidden by the hinges. Afterwards, we applied wood glue to the sides and back of the planks and placed them on the plywood.
Pro tip: Write “top” on one end of the planks so you don’t forget!
We then used the wood clamps to tightly squeeze everything together. You can make a brace out of spare wood if you need to hold the ends down.
While the glue was still wet, we drove nails into the boards and about every foot along the board to firmly bond the planks and plywood.
After that, we took a break and allowed the glue to dry overnight.
Next, we measured the halfway mark of our neatly assembled door and used the circular saw to cut that heavy sucker in half like a magician’s apprentice.
Then, we took one more inch off of the top of the bottom door (we wrote “top” earlier), to make room for the ledge.
Using the table saw, we cut a plank to the width of the door, then cut the front two corners off to eliminate the pointy edge.
Pro tip: You may have to rip this plank as well to get the desired width you’d like.
We then applied wood glue and nailed the ledge to the top of the bottom door.
After that, the fun part! We stained each door with our chosen stain, Minwax in Classic Gray.
Related:
Next, we measured 4 to 8 inches from the top and bottom of each door to place the new hinges. This will depend on how tall your door is or how to best evenly distribute the weight. Then we installed the handle itself on the bottom door.
When we ripped the doorframe off, we realized we were going to need to beef up the hinge side of the frame. If the stud is more than an inch and a half from the frame, you can slide a plank in there and run a few 3 inch wood screws through all of it.
After that, we measured the inside edge of the door frame. When we transferred the measurement, we made sure our inside markings would need to be cut at a 45 degree angle. Then we stained the boards.
Pro tip: It is best to only install the hinge side trim board, then the door, and then the rest of the trim to be able to hide any gaps you don’t like.
We nailed our new trim in place and pre-drilled holes for at least six screws on the hinge side. This side is holding all the weight so it has to connect to the stud or filling board firmly.
Afterwards, we made sure it was level and left a gap at the bottom of the door to accommodate its motion. My husband used a Tostitos queso dip lid here and even through my laughing, I had to admit it did the job!
We pre-drilled our hing holes after that and fastened the door to the trim plank. You can install the top door using the same gap as the bottom door.
We installed magnetic door closers so that both doors are even when closed. (Plus, let’s be honest, it helps keep the kids out).
After that, it was time to install the sliding lock. We drilled a hole for it to engage through the ledge on the bottom door.
We then touched up spots that needed re-staining and our new farmhouse pantry door was complete!
I am so impressed with how it turned out. My favorite part is being able to open the door as one or just the top or bottom. Since we have our spices and things stored in the top section, this has really come in handy! Next up will be decorating and organizing the inside to match the front of the farmhouse pantry door.
What do you guys think? Would Joanna Gaines approve?
monicakaase says
I am SO in love with how this turned out!! We purchased our first home back in May and I’ve been doing everything I can to channel my inner Joanna and make it perfect for us. I’ve been wanting to do something cute to our pantry door and I L O V E this idea! Great job girlfriend.
Christina says
Thanks so much! Joanna Gaines is seriously the best. This is our first home too and I’m so glad Fixer Upper is a thing because the modern farmhouse look speaks to me! Best of luck in your new home, I’m sure it will be beautiful!
Marcie says
Oh this turned out so well! You are so crafty!
Christina says
Thank you! I have to give most of the credit to my husband, he is the muscle! 🙂
Jenn Wang says
You did SUCH a great job!! Joanna would be proud. 🙂 You make it look so easy but I know it would take me 10 times longer if I tried this myself haha! Love how it turned out.
Jenn
http://www.honeydewblog.com
Christina says
Thanks so much, Jenn! It would take me longer too, luckily my husband is the muscle and did most of the heavy lifting!
Miss Melissa (@Melissamchee) says
What a FABULOUS door
Christina says
Thank you so much! I really love it!
daneen rogers says
I love this! I’m part of a DIY Farmhouse Decor facebook group so I’m going to share your post with them 🙂
Christina says
That is so kind of you, thank you so much Daneen! I need to find some Facebook groups like that, it is right up my alley!
Dr. Elise Cohen Ho says
You do beautiful fixer upper work. It is very impressive,
Christina says
Thank you so much, I really appreciate that! 🙂
rspires811 says
I love DIY projects. Your Farmhouse Pantry Door looks amazing.
Christina says
Thank you so much! I love them too, it lets you customize and add character to your home.
Susannah Fields O'Brien says
It looks amazing! Joanna would be proud!
Christina says
Thanks so much for saying so! Hey Joanna, come check this out! *hint, hint* haha
thesaltymamas says
Wow! That’s amazing!! I would love to be able to keep the bottom side locked so my kids couldn’t get in, haha! They’re total snack monsters that are happy to help themselves 😉
Christina says
Yes! The bottom of ours doesn’t lock but stays shut with the magnetic closers. It’s so heavy though that my 1-year-old can’t open it, which worked out perfectly for us!
Sarah Althouse says
That looks awesome and super expensive!
Christina says
Thank you! I didn’t think enough ahead to keep all of the receipts, but I want to say it cost around $50 to make because we already had the tools, so cheaper than buying a new door!
Kate says
This is a fun project! It came out great!
Christina says
Thank you! It was a lot of fun watching it all come together!
April@loveourreallife says
This is amazing! I love the stain color. I think it would get JoAnna’s stamp of approval 😉
Christina says
Thanks so much, April! I love the stain color too. It was a new one and I’m thinking of other places I can use it around the house already!
kuleighbaker says
This looks great! I can’t believe you made it yourself! So smart to have the spices where they’re easy to have access for cooking. This would work great to keep our dogs out the pantry!
Christina says
Thank you so much! Having the spices there has really come in handy! And it has worked wonders to keep dogs, cats, and small babies out where I don’t want them! 😉
Amy Lu says
I love, love, love how this door turned out. I think you truly did a great job channeling your inner Joanna Gaines.
Christina says
Thank you so much, that means a lot to me! 🙂
Carly Delski (@CarlyNed) says
I love how it turned out! It looks so good.
Christina says
Thank you so much, Carly! I love it, too!
Anne Markey says
This door looks amazing! I love it
Christina says
Thank you, Anne! I appreciate that!
Amber @ xoxo, Am says
That’s so cute!! I love farmhouse doors!
Christina says
Thank you! I do too, I’m already dreaming of ways to add some more unique ones in our house!
Alicia Trautwein says
I absolutely love how it came out!! This is so cute, reminds me of something you would see on Fixer Upper. Great job!
Christina says
Thanks so much, that is exactly the kind of look I was going for! 🙂
simplyelliott says
Oh this turned out so good! Love the farmhouse look.
Christina says
Thank you! The modern farmhouse is such a beautiful look, isn’t it?
Kari Carter says
This is very cool! I’ve been looking for a door idea for my pantry since I’m planning on moving it! Thanks!
Christina says
You’re so welcome! I would love to see pics when you’re finished!