Farmhouse? No. Barn door? Yes.

Modern Barn Door

Barn doors don’t have to look traditional! Make yours modern with this easy tutorial.

  • Sanded plywood

    1” Square edge trim in a variety of widths

    1” Square edge trim equal to the thickness of your door to finish edges

    Stain

    Nails

    Wood Glue

    Barn Door Hardware

  • Saw (jigsaw, miter or circular to cut boards to length)

    Nail Gun

    Drill

    Wrench

    Level

  • An outdoor workspace with a dark wooden board on sawhorses, a white plastic sheet, and various wooden planks and debris on a paved surface. A silver SUV with an open back hatch is parked nearby, containing miscellaneous items. There is a discarded yellow spray or paint on the pavement, and a weathered wooden fence in the background.

    Cut Wood and Stain

    The measurements for your project will depend on the size of your opening and the look you are going for. I wanted my door to be the thickness of a regular door so I could use a standard barn door slider. Cut your plywood and slats to size and stain or paint.

  • Wooden tabletop being assembled on a white quilted blanket with tools and supplies around it, including a drill, clamps, measuring tape, and level.

    Arrange Slats and Attach

    Before you make anything permanent, I recommend trying a variety of arrangements with your slats, especially if you’re using different widths like I did. Once you determine placement, attach to the plywood using wood glue and a nail gun. I framed out my door with trim to hide the raw edges of the plywood and slats.

  • Interior view of a small closet or alcove with a gray brick wall, surrounded by a wood frame, and a single gold wire hanger hanging from a black hook.

    Install Hardware and Hang

    Using the instructions for your barn door hardware, install the brackets on the door and the track on the wall. Be sure to bolt the track to studs as the door will be very heavy. Finally, hang your barn door on the track. This is probably a two person job, but I did it myself by propping the door up on wood blocks then gently dropping it onto the track.