How To Make Shaker Cabinet Doors

Shaker cabinet doors are a classic and versatile style that can be used in a variety of kitchen and bathroom designs. They are characterized by their simple, clean lines and recessed panel, and can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, MDF, and even metal.

Making your own Shaker cabinet doors is a great way to save money and get exactly the look you want. While it may seem like a daunting task, it is actually quite straightforward with the right tools and materials.

Materials You'll Need

Wood or MDF for the rails and stiles
1/4-inch plywood for the panel
Wood glue
Clamps
Brad nailer or finish nails
Sandpaper
Paint or stain (optional)

Tools You'll Need

Table saw
Miter saw
Router with a 1/4-inch straight bit
Drill
Countersink bit
Flush-trim saw

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cut the rails and stiles. The rails are the horizontal pieces of the door frame, and the stiles are the vertical pieces. For a standard 18-inch wide door, you will need two rails that are 18 inches long and two stiles that are 30 inches long. 2. Cut the panel. The panel is the recessed center of the door. For a standard 18-inch wide door, you will need a panel that is 16 inches wide and 28 inches long. 3. Rout the dadoes. Dadoes are the grooves cut into the rails and stiles that will hold the panel in place. To rout the dadoes, set your router to a depth of 1/4 inch and a width of 1/2 inch. Make two dadoes in each rail, 1/2 inch from each end. Make one dado in each stile, 1/2 inch from the bottom. 4. Assemble the frame. Apply wood glue to the dadoes in the rails. Place the panel into the dadoes and then apply wood glue to the dadoes in the stiles. Place the stiles over the panel and align them with the ends of the rails. Clamp the frame together and allow the glue to dry. 5. Secure the frame. Once the glue has dried, you can secure the frame with nails. Use a brad nailer or finish nails to drive nails through the rails and stiles into the panel. Countersink the nails slightly below the surface of the wood. 6. Trim the edges. Use a flush-trim saw to trim the edges of the door flush with the frame. 7. Sand and finish. Sand the door smooth with sandpaper. You can then paint or stain the door to match your desired finish.