Stylish storage in small spaces

From NZ Gardener magazine

Rose Hughes upcycles old doors into a splendidly useful shed.

You will need: 4 old doors – same size but they don’t need to match, Off cuts of timber/ply, Decorative moulding, 4 x L corner brackets 50mm x 50mm x 20mm (interior), 4 x L brackets 75mm x 75mm x 20mm (exterior), Various sizes of screws/nails, Corrugated iron and top flashing, 2m - 90mm x 45mm treated pine for roof trusses, Drop saw/jig saw/circular saw, Sander and sandpaper, Hammer/nail punch, Wood glue, Drill, wood bits, metal bits and screwdriver, Masking tape, Quick Dry Primer and top coat in your choice of colour.

Cost: $150, not including the doors and paint

The approach to this upcycling project will very much depend on the doors you have and their condition. I found a set of four old folding garage doors. Once I had worked out how they would fit together I needed to add additional width to the “door” panel. I also added a window and decorative moulding.

Step one
Start by removing all old hardware and unnecessary elements. Make any required adjustments to the panels. Have glass cut to size and insert if required, or get a glazier to do it for you. I also added a small shelf to one panel.

Step two
If decorative moulding is required, mitre corners, cut to length, and glue and nail into position. Fill holes and sand all surfaces well. Undercoat all surfaces with Quick Dry Primer. Allow to dry then apply 2 coats of topcoat. I used Resene Lustacryl Semi-Gloss Waterborne Enamel in Double Alabaster for all but one upper panel – which I painted with 2 coats of Resene Blackboard paint.

Step three
Measure and make a floor – I used an offcut of 12mm exterior grade ply cut to size and mounted it on a timber base. Place the floor in the final position, and stand and clamp the doors in position on the floor. Using the corner brackets, attach the sides to the back, top and bottom. Use L brackets to attach the walls to the floor, if required.

Step four
Roof – cut 6 x 500mm lengths of the pine. Cut 15-degree angles to one end of each. Join pairs with Lumberloc plates |to each side – see photo. Put in position on the tops of the doors and work out the required notch to allow the truss to inset. Cut out the notch with a jigsaw. Allow an overhang of 50mm, mark and cut the trusses vertically.

Step five
Make the roof – screw the trusses into position. Cut lengths of pine to fit between the trusses and screw into position. Cut 2 ply roof panels, butt together and screw to the trusses. Cut and screw corrugated iron into position with the top edges butted against each other. Attach the top flashing.

Step six
Attach the door with hinges, add the door handle, door catches and a hanging rail.

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