Way back in February, when I organized my pantry, I mentioned that I was looking for an old screen door to replace our current pantry door. I looked for an old screen door for a while, then a new one…but then realized that finding one in the size I needed was a pipe dream. Our pantry door is so narrow (24 inches) that screen doors in that size pretty much don’t exist. Which is okay, because new screen doors cost about $150 – $200, and the one we built cost us a whopping $18.
Here is the previous pantry door…it’s a plain jane, cheap as they come, builders grade door. That’s not the worst part though, the worst part is that it opened the wrong dang way. It makes no sense and has driven me nuts from day one.
Your going to have to forgive me for this tutorial, it isn’t as thorough as most. My husband and his brother Taylor built it while I was inside painting the plank walls and I missed some golden photo opportunities. So I’m not going to get too specific, which is okay because everyone’s measurements and door designs will be a little different anyway.
So here’s how it went down.
I’ve been planning this screen door for a while, so naturally when I told Adam it was screen door time he thought I had a solid plan in place. In reality all I had was pretty pictures of screen doors floating around in my head, and I was sure he would take care of the details, since he’s a dude and does most of the building around here. When we got to Home Depot we quickly realized that no one had a plan and ended up just grabbing some 1X4′s and heading home.
Adam and Taylor cut everything to size and we started fiddling around with the design …while Elijah gave himself the important task of measuring everything in sight. Also, he seems to have lost his pants somewhere along the way.
Originally I had thought we would make the screen door be mostly screen, but Adam pointed out that it wouldn’t be sturdy enough, especially made out of cheesy 1×4′s. His solution was to mount the entire flimsy 1X4 door to a piece of 3/4 inch plywood that we had lying around AND make the bottom half be solid. What they did was cut the plywood down to door size and cut a window out with a jigsaw. This means the entire back of the door is a solid piece of plywood. (This is where extra pictures would have come in handy…)
After deciding on a design for the front they just screwed the plywood and front pieces together.
Here is what it looked like all put together.
(Also notice – different day, different clothes….still no pants. That’s how we roll.)
Here is when I decided I was really glad our new door has a solid bottom half. My kids think the pantry is the best toy box ever, so the bottom section is hard to keep organized. That’s okay though, cause no one can see it. Nice one Babe.
For the hardware we used this screen door kit that was about $8 at Home Depot. It had the handle, hinges, screws, a spring so it will close on its own, and a lock. A lock!
Adam readjusted some stuff to fit the new door, sanded and painted the door frame, then painted the door and re-hung it. To make things easy (and keep from having to chisel out new insets for the hinges) he just slapped those suckers on the front. Works for me! Remember the motto… “Farmhouse baby!”. Everything is acceptable if you just call it “farmhouse”.
So here is the new door! Let me just preface this picture by saying that I’m freakin in love with it. Like big puffy heart, make out with it in front of my locker, doodle ”Mrs. Ashley Screen-Door” all over my notebook kinda love. I love how it looks with the plank walls, I love how tall dark and handsome it is, I love that you can finally see all my beautiful organization. I love that it looks like it should be outside and I love that it opens towards my kitchen.
Here is the backside, we used a staple gun to attach the screen and then added some trim. I might end up adding some more small baskets to the back of the door, it’s begging to be given a purpose. Also, I added a bead of hot glue to the door jamb to keep if from being too noisy when it shuts, and it actually works really well.
Just for fun, here is a little collage of how far the pantry has come. It started out plain and pink, then got messy and pink, then I painted and stenciled it, organized everything, we added the plank walls and now we added the new door and can officially call this space finished!
I’m so happy to have this project finished, I knew it would have a big impact on the space and make it feel …whats the word…homey? Custom? Awesome? Let’s go with awesome. Next I’m moving about three inches to the right and working on a ginormo feature wall for the space between the door and the curtain. Everything is finally starting to come together and I’m excited!
Update: The dining room is finished (for now), here is a shot of the whole thing…
I’ve been on the lookout for a screen door like this too for my mudroom! They sure are expensive though. I never even thought of building one! I could probably even do it myself!
Courtenay recently posted..Decorating with saws?
Completely, totally, utterly fabulous! Love the custom look. Your room is looking amazing; can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
Korrie@RedHenHome recently posted..Poison Control
It’s fabulous: the color, the details, the structure. I want one too. Jo @ Let’s Face the Music
Jo @ Let’s Face the Music recently posted..Trim, Finally
Hi Ashley,
I very like your blog! I read it anytime you write something! You have great idea for your house!
Elijah is so funny and intelligent! He makes my day everytime i see him ! :P And his brother so adorable!
Sorry for my english.. i’m from Québec so my principale langage is french! But i’m better for read than write! ;)
Bizou! (xo)
Jessica
Jessica recently posted..Boule en bonbons pour halloween!
I love your door–it looks fantastic. And how dumb was it that they had the original one opening the wrong way? Nice job!
Diane recently posted..Rest for the Weary
Ok, I just LOVE your screen door! I do like the dark colour too – makes it really stand out. Well done you guys, it’s beautiful!
Inspire Me Heather recently posted..project: pom poms
The door looks great! Makes me wish I had a pantry of my own…maybe that would work on the hall linen closet??
Fabulous! Love the color too! Can’t wait to gut our downstairs and make a pantry possible =)
Amanda M. recently posted..Wordless Wednesday
That door is the cherry on top of an awesomesauce sundae! I love it. I keep making my husband take down unnecessary doors in our rental; maybe I can convince him I can build us a door like yours for the pantry – I’m so jonesing to paint in there ;)
Thanks for sharing!
Julie recently posted..What is it?
When I saw your last pic, it hit me. This looks like my Grandma’s back porch…seriously she had a screen door, my dad had made to replace the one the one she had..the screen on the bottom all her grand kids came in hands pushing the bottom screens…I rember a couple of wood caddys screwed to the wall next to the screen door, she had her canning jars in them..she made all of her homemade pickles..so German yummy and her homemade lye soap..hold your nose…she had a farm house table to work on…thanks for a happy memory
looks awesome! Gives it a whole lot more character!
bekah recently posted..Succulent Cupcakes : A basic How-To
Wonderful new look in the farmhouse. Great door! It’s practical, well made, and extrememly pleasing to look at. I love the look. Good job family.
That is seriously cool!!! Adds so much character!
Janel@nelliebellie recently posted..DIY ABC display art
Amazing! I love how you designed the door with the rails in the bottom half. I would not have thought to build a door. I have a pantry project in my future that will need a door…and now I know I can make one. Thanks for the tutorial!
Have a lovely weekend!
Deborah
Deborah recently posted..Fall Bookcases and Craft Room Update
How beautiful! It turned out so nice, who wouldn’t want their pantry to look so nice! I started a screen door last summer that I haven’t been sure how to finish with decorations, now I know how to go about it. Thank you for the tips! ;)
You seriously always amaze me! I am loving the progress of this room and I cannot wait to see what you have in store next. The door is perfect, I love the color that you chose and I seriously can’t believe you made it for $18! Great job, as always.
Taryn @ Design, Dining + Diapers recently posted..Happy Hour Party #5
This is seriously fabulous! I love how it looks, and that you made it so inexpensively and improved the function. This post is definitely going on my Pinterest. :)
Cheers!
I can see why you are in love! What a beautiful screen door! Great color, design and now it’s so much more convenient- opening the right way. :) it goes so wonderfully with the whole new look and feel your kitchen has transformed to! Awesome is definitely the right word!!! I love seeing all you do!
Cheers, Ashley! And kuddos to that handy hubby of yours!
Love this post! Love the door, love the pantsless kid, love the talented hubby, love you! Like big puffy heart, make out with it in front of my locker, doodle ”Mrs. Amy Domestic Imperfection” all over my notebook kinda love. (Best line evah!) Keep up the great work girl!
Amy@DisneyLiving recently posted..Little Boy’s DIY Disney Shirt
Lol, “Mrs. Amy Domestic Imperfection” …you win the comment of the day award!
i luv it and i’m ssssssooooooo being a copycat!! oh honeeeyyyy – thanks for doing all the hard stuff we are seriously going to insert our dimensions and go.
michelle recently posted..Menu Plan and weekend wrap up
This is fabulous! Love the design and color. The door swinging the wrong way would have driven me crazy as well!
Love it! And…. love that you can lock it when you do want to keep the littles out!
KA-DUNK!!!! This is SA-WEET!! Ive got door envy now!!! lol great job:)
Wow, that’s fantastic! That really adds a lot of character to the room. Great designing on the fly too!
I love it! It almost looks like your porch and that would be the back screen door into your house… which is cool looking! Isn’t it nice to have a man in your life who can come up with something out of nothing AND no plan!? LOL!
Tania
Tania recently posted..Vintage Trailer Goodies
Yes! yes times a million…I don’t know what I’d do without him :)
LOVE IT! It looks like your whole dining area is outside… so quaint.
Jenna recently posted..Halloween Mantel 2012
This looks amazing. I love it! And the color is just perfect against the white walls.
Keeping it Cozy recently posted..A Barn Sale
I love the colour of your farmhouse door and the hinges and the trellis designs peaking out from inside and the whole thing!!! Hopefully this new door will keep the little one out of all the goodies ;) I know how hard that can be times three.
It is nice to see your whole kitchen coming together over time. :)
Come by and visit if you get a chance!
what a great idea! It gives it so much character. I found you at Keeping It Simple. There’s a party at my place if you feel like linking up!
This is awesome. I am featuring it so my readers can see it!
That is a fabulous screen door, and a great idea! Ugh, I hate living in a rental sometimes. Mentally storing this idea away for later on, when we buy a fixer upper house. I think this would be great on closet doors too!
Jess
Jess @ Tupelo Creative recently posted..Vintage Beauty.
I’ve been there, living in a rental and sooo wanting a fixer upper. You will get there…then you can be like me and have an ever growing stack of discarded doors in your attic, lol.
This is SO AWESOME! I have just devoured your plank walls tutorial and this door is EXACTLY what I need for my small pantry. It was also inspiring because my pantry (which is exactly like yours–small) has shelves that go from front to back, which makes it so I can’t reach or see the stuff at the back. Don’t know why I didn’t think to change out the shelves for narrower ones and then use the new side space like you did. All in all, it’s AMAZING, and I couldn’t be more grateful for your tutorials. The screen door makes the whole project!!!
Julie
I have to admit, when I first read that you wanted to put in a screen door, I was doubtful… But, oh my gosh, how cute is your door??? I love it! Great job!
Lol, thanks Bethany! I’m sure you weren’t the only suspicious one!
I’ve been looking for a good half screen door for the pantry, this is awesome, I pinned it. Thanks!
Thanks for pinning it!
It’s amazing what a new door can do to your room. It looks perfect.
What a GREAT idea!
I love it!
IF I had a pantry… and IF I were as organized as you I think I would follow you on this option!
Toqua’s Crafts recently posted..Pop up Bat Card
I already have pantry envy since I don’t have a real one…but I LOVE your custom screen door! I’d go with awesome, too! It really is. :)
Kelly
Kelly recently posted..DIY Wonder Woman Costume
Very creative. It really came out great. Thanks for sharing at DIYbyDesign.
I LOVE this! I too have a 24″ builder grade pantry door. I have be searching for an antique solid wood door or screen door that will fit the space. Not having much luck. But this, I could do!! Thanks for the idea :)
Oh I love this project!!!!! I want one.
Thanks for linking up.
XO
Kristin
kristin recently posted..Simple Paperbag Popcorn
WOO HOO… this is amazing and just what I was looking for… now to convince the hubs we must do this!! Thanks girl!!
I love it!! You guys did a wonderful job and it’s awesome!! I wish I had a pantry door, but i may find somewhere to put a door just to have one!! Love your blog!!
Love or. Good job!!!
Great color!
Absolutely beautiful! Love the little shelves you’ve created on the sides! Great job!
Peggy recently posted..Don’t Spill Motor Oil On Your Carpet
Absolutely love this!!! What a great idea!!
Tiffany | offbeat & inspired recently posted..Harvest Focaccia Bread
hey i was wondering, did you screen the top and if so how did you do it?
I adore the plank walls and screen door…just like my Gammie’s back porch, table and all. *sigh* What color did you paint the door, please? It’s perfect.
Your personal article, “DIY Screen Door For The Pantry — Domestic Imperfection” was worth
commenting down here in the comment section!
Only needed to say you did a superb job. Many thanks ,Mohammad
http://tinyurl.com/0577lacy23703 recently posted..http://tinyurl.com/0577lacy23703
“DIY Screen Door For The Pantry — Domestic Imperfection” was a
wonderful blog. If only there were considerably more websites just like this excellent one in the
actual online world. At any rate, thanks for your precious time,
Shella
http://tinyurl.com/noliedley11937 recently posted..http://tinyurl.com/noliedley11937
This is great! I knew I was going to have problems finding screen doors for the pantry and laundry “closet” in the kitchen. This will be very helpful when we get to this project. Thanks!
Oh dear, ignore my previous question. . .I found this post. Absolutely love the character this door adds. Thanks for the inspiration!
Glad you found it! I love it too, it is one of my favorite projects to date.