How To Upscale a Cheap Door for under $20

Here is an easy way to make an old, damaged, cheap, wood panel door look like a new solid six panel door!

We originally got this idea from that Design on a Dime show. We saw them upscale a bedroom with this look and we had to give it a try. This process is easy and cheap with the hardest part being waiting for the paint to dry so you can put it up to see how it looks! All you need is some 1/2 X 3/4" quarter-round trim, paint, caulk or wood filler, brad nails, and some time.

I started by removing the old hollow core door and putting it up on some sawhorses (my wife's high-top table benches). I had some extra primer handy from the bonus room renovation so I put on a quick coat to hopefully cut down on later final coats of paint.

Once that was dry I started laying out the panels. I measured in 4" from top and both sides and used a chalk line to make a grid lines. This will keep everything straight and aligned for perfect spacing. I measured up 6" from the bottom and then 6 inches in between the two larger panels for the bottom and middle of the door. So the measurements are as follows -

4" from top and sides to all panels. 6" up from bottom to the bottom panels. 6" in between the bottom and middle panels, and 4" in between the middle and top panels.

Next I measured the squares I had made. 10" squares for the top panel and the two middle panels measured 10"X23 and 10"X27" for the bottom two panels. Time to make a bunch of cuts!

Using a "chop saw" or miter saw is the best way to get this done but I am sure a circular saw, table saw, or other saw could be used. Set to 45 degrees and start cutting! You will need 16 10" pieces, 4 23" pieces, and 4 27" pieces cut.

Once you have all your pieces start laying them out on the door using the grid lines you made earlier. The outside of the trim should run along your lines. Once everything is set up just the way you want it start nailing! I used a pneumatic brad nailer with 18 gauge 1" bards to secure the trim. You can also just use some brad nails and a hammer if you want to go old school.

Next I grabbed some spackling compound and, using my finger, filled in the brad nail holes and any cracks from my imperfect mitered corners. Time for paint! I used a matte pure white Behr premium paint for this project and I was happy with the results. Cheap paint needs more coats, just remember that.

All that is left now is to put that door back in place and sit back and admire your awesomeness! You have just upscaled something!

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Folk Round by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)