Creating Beadboard Cabinet Doors For A Cozy Kitchen Makeover

Beadboard cabinet doors are a popular option for kitchens, offering a simple, versatile, and elevated aesthetic. They are widely used for wainscoting and ceilings, but they can also make a great statement in your kitchen. Beadboard is a cost-effective way to update the look of your kitchen without investing in a whole new kitchen. You can purchase beadboard primed in white so that you can paint it, or you can buy it in unfinished wood and stain it to achieve your desired look. This guide will walk you through the steps to make beadboard kitchen cabinet doors and offer tips on how to complement your kitchen's aesthetic.

Choosing beadboard material

Beadboard is a widely used material that can be used to make a statement in your kitchen. It is a great way to update your kitchen without investing in a whole new setup. Beadboard can be purchased in 4 by 8 sheets, the standard size of a plywood sheet, and is typically primed and ready for painting. Before purchasing, it is important to measure your door faces to determine the number of beadboard sheets required.

When choosing beadboard material, there are a few options to consider. Beadboard is commonly made from wood, specifically tongue and groove wood, which can be purchased primed in white for painting or as unfinished wood for staining. The type of wood used can vary, with options like poplar, knotty alder, and oak being popular choices. Poplar is a good option for those on a budget, as it is relatively inexpensive and easy to work with for beginner woodworkers. Harder woods, like oak, can be more challenging to work with but may offer a more premium finish.

Another option for beadboard material is MDF (medium-density fiberboard), which can be significantly more affordable than wood. MDF can be a great choice for those on a tight budget, but it may not offer the same premium look and feel as wood. It is also important to note that MDF may not be as durable or long-lasting as wood, especially in a high-use area like a kitchen.

When selecting beadboard material, it is essential to consider the overall aesthetic you want to achieve. Beadboard is typically associated with a rustic or antique look, often featuring decorative edges. The vertical beadboard design is the most popular and can complement various kitchen styles, from modern to traditional farmhouse. However, horizontal beadboard is also an option for those seeking a more unique, modern look.

Additionally, the colour of the beadboard is an important consideration. White beadboard cabinets are particularly popular, as they add dimension and texture while maintaining a clean, crisp aesthetic. White cabinets can be especially effective in Scandinavian-style kitchens, creating a simple and relaxed feel. However, other colours like blue or green can be used to achieve specific styles, such as a Mediterranean look. Ultimately, the choice of beadboard material and colour will depend on your personal preferences, budget, and the desired aesthetic for your kitchen.

Removing cabinet doors

To remove your cabinet doors, start by taking off any handles. Then, unscrew the hinges, being careful to keep the screws in their holes so you don't lose them. You can make a pencil mark on the back of each cabinet to keep track of their locations if you plan to re-hang the doors later.

Before adding beadboard to your cabinet doors, you'll need to prepare the doors for adhesive by sanding them down. Secure the doors to a flat surface and use a belt sander to sand them. Skipping this step might cause the existing finish on the doors to prevent the adhesive from bonding.

Once the doors are prepared, put on your safety glasses and cut the beadboard to the size of each cabinet door. Lay the beadboard on top of the cabinet to make sure it fits. It's important to measure and cut the beadboard for each door individually to ensure they all fit properly.

Now, you can apply a generous amount of adhesive to the cabinet doors or the back of the beadboard. Place the beadboard pieces onto the cabinet doors, applying pressure and sliding them slightly from side to side to bond them together with the adhesive. Make sure all the edges are lined up and use clamps to hold them in place until the adhesive dries.

After the adhesive has dried, use caulk to fill in any cracks and the edges of the doors. Once the caulk is dry, sand it down, and your doors are ready for painting or staining.

Preparing doors for adhesive

Preparing the doors for adhesive is a crucial step in ensuring the beadboard properly adheres to your cabinet doors. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

First, remove your cabinet doors by unscrewing the hinges. It is a good idea to keep the screws in their holes to avoid losing them, and you can even make a pencil mark on the back of each cabinet to keep track of their locations for easy re-hanging later.

Next, you will need to sand down the doors. Clamping the door to a flat surface will help stabilise it, and then you can use a belt sander to sand the surface. This step is important as it will help the adhesive bond properly to the door. If you skip sanding, the existing finish on the doors may prevent the adhesive from adhering correctly. Remember to wear safety glasses and a face mask to protect yourself from any wood dust.

Now your doors are ready for the beadboard to be adhered. You can purchase beadboard in 4 x 8 sheets, either primed in white or as unfinished wood, depending on the look you are trying to achieve. Measure your door faces, both horizontally and vertically, to determine how many beadboard sheets you will need. It is important to cut the beadboard to size for each cabinet door to ensure a proper fit. Lay the cut beadboard on top of the corresponding cabinet door to check that it fits before adhering.

Once you are happy with the fit, apply your adhesive generously to the back of the beadboard. Then, place the beadboard onto the cabinet door, applying pressure and sliding it slightly from side to side to bond it with the door and ensure all edges are lined up. You can use clamps to hold the beadboard and door together while the adhesive dries.

After the adhesive has dried, you can finish your cabinet doors by caulking any cracks or edges and then sanding the caulk once it is dry. Finally, paint or stain your doors in your chosen colour.

Cutting and placing beadboard

To start, you will need to remove your cabinet doors, taking care to take off any handles. Unscrew the hinges, but keep the screws in their holes to avoid losing them. You can make a pencil mark on the back of each cabinet to keep track of their locations if you wish to re-hang them easily later. Prepare the doors for adhesive by clamping them to a flat surface and sanding them down with a belt sander. This step is important because, without it, the existing finish on the doors might prevent the adhesive from bonding.

Next, put on your safety glasses and cut the beadboard to the size of each cabinet door. Lay each piece on top of its respective cabinet to be sure it fits. It is important to measure and cut for each door individually, as they may not all be equal in size.

Now you can apply your adhesive generously to the cabinet doors or to the back of the beadboard. Place the beadboard pieces you have cut onto the cabinet doors, pressing down with some pressure. Slide them slightly from side to side to bond the beadboard and doors with the adhesive. Make sure all of the edges are lined up. You can use clamps to keep the beadboard and doors together until the adhesive is dry.

Use caulk to fill any cracks and the edges of the doors. Let the caulk dry and then sand it. Now you can paint or stain your doors in the colour you have chosen. To achieve a finished look, you’ll likely want to paint the entire doors and perhaps the front of your cabinets (this will be fairly simple with the doors already removed.)

Painting or staining doors

Painting or staining your beadboard kitchen cabinet doors is the final step in the process of making them. You can purchase beadboard that is primed in white and ready to be painted, or you can buy it in unfinished wood to stain. The choice is yours, depending on the look you are going for.

If you are painting your beadboard kitchen cabinet doors, you can opt for a white finish, which will give your kitchen a crisp, light, and clean feel. White beadboard cabinets complement the Scandinavian style, which is known for its simple and relaxed aesthetic. You can also paint your beadboard kitchen cabinet doors in an inviting blue or green to achieve a Mediterranean feel. If you want to let the natural beauty of the wood shine through, you can opt for a stain instead of paint. This will give your kitchen a more rustic or antique look.

To prepare your beadboard kitchen cabinet doors for painting or staining, you will need to first remove the doors by unscrewing the hinges and taking off any handles. Keep the screws in their holes to avoid losing them and mark the back of each cabinet with a pencil so you can easily re-hang them later. Next, you will need to sand the doors to prepare them for the adhesive. Clamp the doors to a flat surface and use a belt sander to smooth them down. This step is important because it will ensure that the adhesive bonds properly to the doors.

Once the doors are prepared, you can apply your paint or stain of choice. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper application and drying times. After the paint or stain has dried, you can re-hang your doors using the screws you saved earlier. You may need to use longer screws in the handles and hinges to accommodate for the added thickness of the beadboard.

Frequently asked questions