What To Do With Old Kitchen Cabinet Doors

Repurposing Old Kitchen Cabinet Doors for Home Decor

Discarding perfectly good cabinet doors is wasteful; their sturdy construction and often attractive finishes lend themselves to creative repurposing within the home. These projects transform discarded materials into unique and functional décor pieces, adding character and reducing environmental impact. The following examples demonstrate how simple techniques can yield impressive results.

Cabinet Doors as Wall Art

Transforming old cabinet doors into unique wall art offers a versatile and budget-friendly approach to home décor. The flat surface provides an ideal canvas for various painting and distressing techniques, allowing for personalized expression. Careful selection of color palettes and distressing methods can create a range of styles, from modern minimalist to rustic farmhouse.

What to do with old kitchen cabinet doors – For a rustic look, consider a palette of muted greens, browns, and creams. Apply a base coat of cream paint, then lightly distress the edges and corners with sandpaper to reveal the underlying wood. Use a dry-brushing technique with darker brown paint to highlight the wood grain and add depth. Finally, seal the piece with a clear varnish for protection. Imagine a cabinet door transformed into a charming depiction of a country landscape, perhaps with a distressed white background and subtle hints of green and brown to represent rolling hills and fields. The effect would be enhanced by using a stencil for the landscape itself. Alternatively, a modern minimalist look could be achieved with a bold geometric design painted in a single, vibrant color against a clean white background. The clean lines and crisp color would create a striking contrast, perfectly suited for a contemporary interior. The simplicity of the design allows the texture of the wood to subtly peek through, adding an organic element to the modern aesthetic.

Repurposing Cabinet Doors as Headboards

Repurposing old cabinet doors to create a headboard is a cost-effective and visually appealing alternative to store-bought options. The size and style of the cabinet door can be adapted to suit the existing bed frame and personal aesthetic preferences. A simple, single-door headboard can be easily constructed, or multiple doors can be joined to create a larger, more dramatic piece.

For a rustic-style headboard, choose a cabinet door with visible wood grain. Sand the surface smooth, then apply a coat of stain to enhance the natural wood tones. You could even incorporate metal hardware, such as old drawer pulls or hinges, to add a touch of industrial flair. Picture a full-sized headboard made from two vertically-oriented cabinet doors, joined with sturdy hinges and finished with a dark walnut stain. The natural wood grain would be visible, adding warmth and texture to the bedroom. For a king-sized bed, three doors could be arranged horizontally and joined to create a wider, more substantial headboard. The potential for customization is vast, allowing for a unique and personalized addition to the bedroom. Alternatively, for a more modern approach, a single door could be painted in a bold color and mounted directly to the wall, creating a clean and contemporary focal point above the bed.

Creating Outdoor Planter Boxes from Cabinet Doors

Transforming old cabinet doors into outdoor planter boxes offers a unique and functional way to enhance outdoor spaces. The sturdy construction of cabinet doors provides a durable and weather-resistant base for planting flowers, herbs, or vegetables. This project requires minimal tools and materials, making it an accessible and rewarding undertaking.

To construct a planter box, you will need several cabinet doors (depending on the desired size), exterior-grade wood screws, weather-resistant sealant, and soil. First, ensure the doors are clean and free of any loose paint or debris. Then, arrange the doors to create the desired shape and size of the planter box. Use exterior-grade wood screws to securely fasten the doors together, creating a sturdy and watertight structure. Apply a weather-resistant sealant to protect the wood from moisture damage. Finally, fill the planter box with soil and plant your chosen flowers, herbs, or vegetables. Consider a planter box constructed from three cabinet doors arranged in an “L” shape, creating a corner planter for a patio or deck. The doors could be painted a cheerful, vibrant color to complement the surrounding environment. For a more rustic aesthetic, the wood could be left untreated or stained with a natural-looking wood stain, allowing the natural wood grain to show through. The resulting planter box would be both functional and aesthetically pleasing, adding a touch of charm to any outdoor space.

Transforming Old Kitchen Cabinet Doors into Functional Items

Repurposing old kitchen cabinet doors offers a sustainable and creative approach to home improvement, extending their lifespan beyond their original function. This section explores practical applications for these often-overlooked pieces, transforming them into functional and aesthetically pleasing additions to your home. We will delve into the processes involved in creating shelving units, cutting boards, and magnetic message boards, emphasizing safety and design considerations.

Small Shelving Units for Bathrooms or Entryways

Converting old cabinet doors into small shelving units is a straightforward project achievable with basic woodworking skills. A standard cabinet door, measuring approximately 24″ x 12″, can be easily transformed. For a bathroom, a smaller unit might be more appropriate, perhaps 18″ x 10″. The design can be varied by adding decorative molding or leaving the original door panel intact.

To create the shelving unit, you will need: the cabinet door, two L-brackets per shelf (size depending on shelf depth), wood screws, wood stain or paint (optional), and sandpaper. First, sand the door smooth. Then, measure and mark the locations for the shelf supports. Securely attach the L-brackets using wood screws, ensuring they are level. Add shelves of your desired depth and material (e.g., plywood). Finally, apply your chosen finish. Multiple shelves can be created by using multiple doors or by dividing a single door.

Cutting Boards and Serving Trays from Cabinet Doors

Reclaimed wood offers unique character and charm for cutting boards and serving trays. However, it’s crucial to ensure the wood is food-safe. Before using reclaimed wood for food preparation surfaces, thoroughly inspect it for any signs of damage, chemical treatments, or previous finishes. A deep cleaning and sanding are essential. Applying a food-safe mineral oil or beeswax finish is recommended to protect the wood and enhance its durability.

A cabinet door measuring 24″ x 12″ could be ideal for a large cutting board, or it could be cut into smaller pieces. Design options are endless. A simple, natural finish showcases the wood grain, while a darker stain provides a more dramatic look. Inlays of contrasting wood or decorative metal accents can add unique visual appeal. For serving trays, consider adding handles or decorative feet. Remember to always use a separate cutting board for raw meats to avoid cross-contamination.

Custom Magnetic Message Boards

Transforming cabinet doors into magnetic message boards offers a unique and personalized organizational solution. The process involves preparing the wood surface, applying magnetic paint, and adding decorative elements.

First, sand the cabinet door thoroughly to create a smooth surface for optimal paint adhesion. Apply a primer to seal the wood and improve paint adherence. Next, apply several coats of magnetic paint, allowing each coat to dry completely before applying the next. The number of coats required depends on the specific magnetic paint used and the desired magnetic strength. Once the paint is dry, apply a topcoat to protect the magnetic paint and add a decorative finish. Finally, add decorative elements such as chalkboard paint, fabric, or decorative paper. The resulting message board can be mounted on the wall or left free-standing. Consider the size of the cabinet door; a larger door will allow for a larger message area.

Creative and Artistic Uses for Old Kitchen Cabinet Doors: What To Do With Old Kitchen Cabinet Doors

Repurposing old kitchen cabinet doors offers a wealth of creative possibilities, transforming discarded materials into unique and functional home décor pieces. This approach not only reduces waste but also allows for personalized expression, resulting in one-of-a-kind items reflecting individual style and preferences. The possibilities extend beyond simple functionality, embracing artistic expression and adding character to any living space.

Unique Furniture Pieces from Cabinet Doors

Cabinet doors, with their inherent structural integrity and often attractive finishes, lend themselves readily to the creation of small furniture pieces. Their size and shape provide a solid foundation for a range of projects, from simple side tables to charming benches.

Small Table A single cabinet door, cleaned and refinished, can become a stylish coffee table or side table. Adding simple hairpin legs or repurposed wooden legs creates a unique and functional piece. Consider distressing the finish for a rustic look, or painting it a bold color for a modern aesthetic. A glass top could add a touch of elegance.

Bench Two or more cabinet doors, joined together and fitted with a comfortable cushion or padded seat, create a charming bench. The doors can be left in their original state or painted and decorated to complement existing décor. For added stability, consider adding a simple frame to the structure. A slightly curved top adds to the elegance.

Step Stool A smaller cabinet door can be transformed into a sturdy and attractive step stool. The addition of non-slip rubber feet enhances safety. The door’s surface can be decorated with paint, decoupage, or stencils. A simple handle can be attached for ease of use.

Wall-Mounted Shelves Several cabinet doors, cut down to size and secured to a wall, create unique and decorative shelving. These shelves can be painted, stained, or left in their natural state, depending on the desired aesthetic. Adding brackets provides support and a decorative element.

Crafting Projects Using Cabinet Doors, What to do with old kitchen cabinet doors

Beyond furniture, cabinet doors offer a versatile medium for crafting projects. Their flat surfaces and often durable construction make them ideal for a variety of applications, offering a blend of practicality and artistic expression.

Decorative Boxes By cutting and assembling cabinet door sections, you can create unique decorative boxes for storing small items. Adding hinges and latches enhances functionality. These boxes can be painted, decoupaged, or embellished with various decorative elements, like beads or shells. Different sizes of boxes can be created using varying sections of the doors.

Picture Frames Cabinet doors provide a substantial base for creating large or uniquely shaped picture frames. After cutting the door to the desired size and adding a backing, the frame can be painted, stained, or distressed to suit the image and overall décor. A simple bevelled edge can add a touch of sophistication.

Small Birdhouses Smaller cabinet doors can be adapted to create charming birdhouses. A hole for the birds’ entrance needs to be cut, and the house should be secured to a post or tree branch. The doors can be left natural or painted in vibrant colors to attract birds. The addition of a small perch would complete the design.

Magnetic Chalkboards Applying chalkboard paint to the surface of a cabinet door transforms it into a reusable message board or a fun area for kids to draw. Adding magnets allows for the display of notes or artwork. This repurposing idea provides a practical and aesthetically pleasing solution.