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DIY Barn Closet Doors

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Today, I’m excited to share the story of how we built our very own DIY barn closet doors. This post has been on my to-do list for weeks, but I’ve been feeling a mix of emotions. We sadly said goodbye to my beloved grandmother last summer due to old age. While she lived an incredible 92 years, bidding farewell is never easy.

Before her passing, we were working on our DIY barn closet doors to enclose our beautiful built-in bookcase. The vision for this room was to create a display for our china and a practical space to hang our coats.

diy barn door

Here is the opening on the bookcase before we built the barn doors. The quality of the picture is not that great but it’s the only picture I have so you get the idea.

DSCN2263

How to build barn doors for a closet

We used leftover materials from a previous project. You can purchase different wood if you want something a bit more sturdy.

Supplies Needed:

  • Glue
  • nails
  • wood for trim (we used pine 1×4’s)
  • 4×8 beadboard plank
  • sandpaper (for rough edges) 
  • filler/chalking

Step 1: Measure Doors

You will need a “T” square to draw straight lines to cut

Measure the length and width of the doors you are making

Step 2: Cut 1×4 pine as the frame

We used bead board 4×8 planks as the backing

1×4’s as the frame

We glued with Elmers Wood glue and used 5/8″ nails (flip over and nail from the back)

You will need to let the glue set before you nail.

My grandfather, who lives with us, always watched my dad and I do our projects!

This part was a little difficult….we used 1×2’s to make the “x” design on the door.

You will need a beveled square to get the exact degree to cut …this is where my dad came in VERY handy!


At this point, the other side is glued and we have flipped over the plank and reinforced with nails.

You will need to put something heavy in the middle of the “x” design to clamp it for a bit. The gas cans were the closest and heaviest!

I love these barn doors and am very pleased with all they came out.

DIY barn closet doors

To save some money, I ended up mounting the barn doors on hinges instead of using the sliding door hardware like in the inspiration picture. Although I didn’t get the exact look I wanted, I managed to achieve a similar aesthetic with just $22. For the top black pieces, I purchased aluminum pieces from home depot and spray painted them black.

DIY bookcase, DIY barn doors

I think the black spray painted aluminum gives the look of a sliding door, don’t you?

diy barn closet doors
diy barn door hardware
DIY barn closet doors front view
diy barn closet doors for grams blue willow

My DIY barn door project with my dad is a memory I will cherish forever. Not only did I get to hang out with him, but I built something that I’m proud of. My Gram would have loved the doors, and if she were here today, I know she would have enjoyed seeing her blue willow china displayed on the bookcase with the new doors. It’s moments like these that remind me why the bond between family is so precious and special.

Meet Jessica

What started as a hobby, Jessica’s blog now has millions of people visit yearly and while many of the projects and posts look and sound perfect, life hasn’t always been easy. Read Jessica’s story and how overcoming death, divorce and dementia was one of her biggest life lessons to date.

34 Comments

  1. rachel@Acts of Life says:

    First I want to say that I am sure your Gram does see it and is proud of you, she probably loves it..it turned out great! I love the mix of your grams dishes and her books…a nice mix or something shiny with something kinda aged and rough. The doors turned out great, very good storage solution and it's aesthetically pleasing!

    Blessings
    Rachel~

  2. Beth@The Stories of A2Z says:

    Hugs to you :). I KNOW your gram would have felt so proud to see how much you cherish her collection and have created such a gorgeous space to display them all. And I LOVE the doors!

  3. They turned out so nice! Great work, I know how frustrating hanging a few simple doors can be. I'm sure your Gram would love what you have done.

  4. I bet your Gram would love it! They look great and add so much character to the room. I am a new follower from Tatertots and Jello. Vicky @ http://www.messforless.net

  5. ashley @ the handmade home says:

    GREAT JOB! I LOOOOVE them! SO sorry I'm a bit slow responding…it's been crazy. But this is some STELLAR WORK!!! congrats on your aweomeness, girl!!!!

  6. charlotte says:

    i've planned doing this in my basement!!! now i have help….thank you!!

  7. T.@WhatWeKeep says:

    Whoa! This turned out beyond awesome! I have a dad that asks that same question with the bewildered look on his face. Haha
    Applause, applause, applause! You know your Gram is proud. : )

  8. {darlene} says:

    seriously gorgeous!!!!!!

  9. {darlene} says:

    oh, and love your blog redesign, Jessica!

  10. Anonymous says:

    LOVE IT! Isn't that just like a man to try to take credit, hehe! Gram would be so proud of you!

  11. gertie @ The Old Block House says:

    These look wonderful! Who would guess that you've got a coat closet hidden among the beautiful dishes? Great job!

  12. Anonymous says:

    how big is your house?
    I wish there was somebody close to me that would help me get, at least, my living room finished…We have lived here for a year and still have boxes stacked all over the basement…just had my daughter and granddaughter move in and their things are all over the garage…
    I would love to have just one room done and clutter free…right now my living room is also home to the baby's play pin…
    This is my living room w/o the play pin sitting in front of the window, as this is the place that the little one loves to lay and stare…
    http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2392490897898.150169.1419670771&l=2dea24e2f5&type=1

  13. Jessica @ Nuchey's Mommy says:

    @anonynous – thank you for the kind words! I tried to email you back but your email isn't activated. Looks like you have a great space to decorate & fabulous fireplace! Have fun with it 🙂 Post some pics on my facebook page with the completed project (or even small portions of the room as you get them done) Fun mantle to decorate for Autumn! You can get to my facebook page from my blog!

  14. Awesome!! I want to do this!

  15. allenaim photography and design says:

    Absolutely wonderfully FABULOUS! I love them!

  16. Kristen@fit2feelbetter says:

    I found you via Funky Junk and I'm your newest follower! You have a beautiful blog. It feels very warm and inviting. Take care.

  17. Amy of The Salvage Collection says:

    what an amazing "compound" you all have together! lucky is what i would call it! we, too, live a number of months each year with my parents so i know what you mean when you say your son is "spoiled"!! and we are thrilled!!

    i'm sure your grandma is aglow as she looks down at the beautiful display you created for her lovely china!

    thanks for visiting me earlier today—glad to be visiting you, as well!

    happily following..

    amy

  18. The doors look great! You can't really tell by looking that they don't slide. My budget always gets in the way of my ideas too. And I'm still using my new camera on auto, yet the difference is amazing!

  19. I came across your blog through Twitter and SouthernRhoda. I love your story!!! And your blog…and I am totally in love with the barn doors.

  20. Elaine @ Sunny Simple Life says:

    So sorry about your gram. Not easy at any age. Love your doors and your whole home. Have been visiting your wonderful blog.

  21. Visiting from TT&J. I am dying over these! Amazing!Pinning for sure!

  22. Valerie@chateaualamode.typepad.com says:

    I'm visiting from Rhoda's and wanted to check out the barn door closet. So gorgeous and creative, but not only is it beautiful it holds wonderful memories for you which I so love to see.

  23. Oh my gosh! You were featured on tatertos & jello!!! That's HUGE!!! Congrats 🙂

  24. Your Gram looks like such a wonderful lady. I started crying, just seeing her picture. I miss my Memaw and whenever I see an older person, it makes me think of her more. I've got to go adopt some elderly people or something. LOL!

    Anyway, your doors are awesome!

  25. Je T'iame says:

    I love your blog AND your house…you have a very good eye for design

  26. Green Willow Pond says:

    Those doors are beautiful! I've been planning something like them for my office/dining room when I get to it someday (hopefully this summer)! Brilliant look! Have a lovely weekend.

    Deborah

  27. I'm catching up… looks like I'm way behind… since it's now mid-April! Absolutely beautiful outcome! What a stunning idea. They are beautiful, the shelves, doors, dishes… and your beautiful Gram… I miss my Gram too.

  28. Jessica Bruno says:

    Thanks Leslee 🙂 Good luck getting caught up!

  29. Your inspiration picture is exactly what I have envisioned for doors in my new addition.. 😉 I am sorry someone 'stole' you picture, however I am thrilled it led me to this blog post.

  30. The doors look great and I’m very interested in making them, but all of your links are taking me back to your home page. Might be something on my end, but you might want to look into that.

  31. Helpful info. Fortunate me I discovered your website by accident, and I am stunned why this twist of fate didn’t took place earlier! I bookmarked it.

  32. I absolutely love your barn door ideas. I am so very grateful for your tutorials as well. I am a very visual learner and this helps me immensely. Thank you so much!

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