Repurposed Bi-Fold Doors Bookcase

How to make a bookcase out of repurposed bi-fold doors.

How to make a bookshelf out of a bi-fold door.

Hi I'm Mimi from the Blue Roof Cabin Blog and I am so happy Gail allowed me to guest post on MRL today. Gail's blog is my favorite! I love a good re-purpose don't you?

On my blog I share my passion for all things DIY. Today I'd love to show you how I repurposed bi-fold doors into a bookcase. Here's what I started with:

Repurposed Bi-fold Doors

two bi-fold wood doors that I picked up at the Restore.

The first thing I did after removing all the hinges and handles was to router a channel into the doors for the back to fit into. I used ¼" pine bead board boards for the back. You know the kind that come wrapped up in packages at the big home stores.

To determine the width of my bookcase I cut the tongue off one of the bead board boards and dry fit them all together. I measured then subtracted for the channels and cut my 1 x 4's accordingly.

Pocket Hole Joinery

The bi-fold doors are paneled and the spacers just happened to be the same size as a 1 x 4. To attach the sides and support the shelves I drilled pocket holes into some 1 x 4's then glued and screwed everything together.

I attached a 1 x 4 to the bottom front in the same way.

Attach The Back of the Bookcase

I attached the bead board to the back with glue and nails.

The shelves I made by gluing and clamping together 1 x pine boards. I had to notch out the back corner of each shelf with my jig saw. The shelves were all secured to the bookcase with glue and nails.

Secure Shelves for Bi-fold Doors Bookcase

I wanted more shelves than there were 1 x 4's so I used ⅜" x 2" trim to support the additional shelves. I glued and nailed them to the edges of the bi-fold doors and through the bead board back.

Add Trim to Bookcase

For the top of the bookshelf I decided to router the edge of the top board to continue the look of the crown molding. I like big crown.

Because of the way the bi-fold doors are designed there was a gap between the crown and the middle part of the top of the door. I filled it by gluing and nailing a ¼" dowel to the door. Don't you think it ties in with the bead of the bead board?

I finished the edges of the shelves off with some trim I picked up at the Restore.

It's Time to Paint the Bi-Fold Door Bookcase

For the paint finish I started by priming the whole cabinet with oil based primer because the bi-fold doors appeared to have been sealed with oil based poly. I could tell by the lovely yellowness of them.

I decided to do a two tone as well as try a new technique I have been seeing all around the blogisphere. For the inside I used a flat latex Robins Egg Blue color. For the outside I tried the vaseline technique to get a chippy look.

The first coat was a layer of dark brown latex. Once that dried I randomly touched areas I wanted to look "chippy" with the vaseline. Paint wont stick to where you put the vaseline. I didn't go overboard with it because I didn't want it to end up looking like a spotted cow.

I liked the look but.... I'm so used to sanding to distress that I started sanding and then ended up sanding over the whole thing with my palm sander. I like how the finish turned out in the end. So, I finished the whole thing off with clear acrylic satin. I have been using chalk paint so much lately it was fun to play with good old latex again.

This bi-fold door bookcase turned out tall.

There ya have it. If you like this post I'd love for you to stop by my blog and check out some of my other re-purpose projects like:

Kitchen Island from a Salvaged Door

Salvaged Door into Dining Room Banquette

or if you’re not that into doors check out my project gallery for furniture makeovers, re-upholstery projects and more.

Thanks for reading!

Mimi-you know I love a great door repurpose! I’m also a fan of the Habitat for Humanity ReStore! Love this bookcase, the color is perfect!
gail

See More Door Project Ideas Here

Gail Wilson

Website

Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.

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Imperial Aluminium

June 06, 2015 at 2:56 am

bi-fold doors are easy to manage and use, Aluminium bi-fold doors is good option for use. this is nice blog..!

Lisa

November 13, 2014 at 10:57 am

I know this is a couple of years old and hope you see me question. Are the doors you used solid core or hollow core? Thanks! Love this project!

- gail@myrepurposedlife.com
  
  November 13, 2014 at 11:14 am
  
  I believe that this project (not mine) was a solid door. However I have done this project https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2010/06/door-repurposed-into-blanket-chest.html with a hollow core door, using scraps of lumber to fill the gaps to strengthen the door.
  
  Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment/question
  
  gail
girlfromwva

October 29, 2014 at 9:57 am

this looks wonderful! great job!

Rose @ Confessions of a Curbshopaholic

July 16, 2012 at 9:50 am

Mimi, I love this repurpose! Great job. Now I know what to do with the leftover bifolds I took out of my son's laundry room.
Congrats on the guest post!

Stephanie @ Henry Happened

July 15, 2012 at 10:36 am

it looks amazing, and fairly easy to be made by someone very handy 🙂

Rasonda @ Lake Cottage Dreams

July 12, 2012 at 5:38 pm

I actually have a couple of these lying around but Im sure they are not real wood. Do you think it would work Mimi? Great tut Mimi, you rock lady!

Full Circle Creations

July 12, 2012 at 4:48 pm

Love it! Great job Mimi!

Holly

I Play Outside The Box

July 12, 2012 at 4:44 pm

Fantastic re-purpose!!! I love to go to our local ReStore...I look at all the goodies there and always think to myself..."wonder what Gail could do with something like that". It wasn't long ago that I saw folding door similar to what you found...but what you done with yours sure didn't flow through my brain....women like you and Gail just amaze me!! Thanks for sharing Mimi!!

Green Willow Pond

July 12, 2012 at 4:13 pm

Gorgeous transformation Mimi! I love the finish too.

Suzanne@Meridian Road

July 12, 2012 at 3:58 pm

That's a great looking shelf! Great tutorial, too. Thanks, Mimi!

Debilou ~ Mississippi Mama

July 12, 2012 at 2:54 pm

oh i love it... I follow your blog too and Im a big fan. Uhhmmm.. you know if you and Gail could get together and invite a bunch of us over for a class/fun/build something day that would be great..LOL.

Katie

July 12, 2012 at 2:28 pm

Love this fancy-pants book case! If know one told me I would have never of known this was once bi-fold door! love it!

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder

July 12, 2012 at 1:58 pm

Dearest Mimi,

Very clever idea and you are handy for doing this! Enjoy it now.
Love,
Mariette

✿ⒹⒺⒺ✿@ A Lapin Life

July 12, 2012 at 1:14 pm

Beautiful! It's a great transformation.

Dee

Laurel Stephens

July 12, 2012 at 12:37 pm

A guest post! Yay! This is such a terrific recycling idea and beautiful furniture to-boot. I haven't mastered my husband's router yet, and if I can find some thrifty doors, this is a great project on which to learn.

Anne

July 12, 2012 at 11:46 am

You need to offer lessons... Love your stuff Mimi!