Cabinet Made from Reclaimed Shutters

What can you do with four reclaimed shutters? Use them to make a shutter cupboard! Don’t be intimidated by the process, simply follow my step by step directions.

Tall Yellow Shutter Cupboard

I made the shutter bookcase for Jan a couple of months ago. She had 4 more shutters and she asked me to build her a shutter cupboard.

Designing and Building a Shutter Cupboard

These shutters are taller than I am.

I had to cut them off because two were shorter than the other two. Once I got them to match, I used my Kreg Jig Jr. to make pocket holes to join three of them together.

How To Add Shelves

I didn’t have any wood to use as shelves, so I purchased a piece of plywood at Home Depot. I cut the shelves to size. I attached the bottom shelf and the top of the cupboard first.

Then I got busy installing the other shelves. I cut some scrap wood to use as spacers so that the shelves would be uniform in height. The middle shelf would be the one that would keep the unit squared and sturdy. Because the shutters have the middle piece I was able to use pocket holes all the way around 3 sides.

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The other shelves, I could only attach with pocket holes in the front and the back. However the pocket holes made with the Kreg Jig make very tight joints.

Adding Decorative Base

I wanted to raise the cupboard off the floor with a decorative “skirt”. I folded a piece of paper in half so that the left and right sides would match. With the paper folded in half I cut out some curves. I traced the curves onto a piece of 1×4 and cut it out with my jigsaw.

While I was looking for a board to use as the back, I realized the 1×4  was just too wonky. The boards I decided to use were reclaimed drawer parts.

I used my Kreg Jig to make more pocket holes and joined the three new pieces together. (they were a little larger than a 1×4 so I had to rip them on my table saw to get them down to size)

On the left, the new piece.

See how caddywampus the first one was? yeah, not working! Seriously, it’s worth the extra time and effort to do things right.

How To Attach The Base

More great pocket holes and pocket hole screws  to attach it to the cupboard!

Time For Paint

I primered the cupboard one day while I had my sprayer fired up. Then I added some more shelves.

Add Trim to the Top of Shutter Cupboard

I cut the crown molding and used Gorilla Wood Glue and my nailer to attach it.

This picture dates itself. See the shingles?

Painting with Painter’s Tape

Jan decided she wanted this cupboard to be two-toned. The cupboard was an “oops” that Jamie gave me a couple of years ago. The top and bottom trim are Martha’s Heavy Cream. I taped it off to get a clean crisp line.

A Look at the Hinges & Hardware

I had three hinges in my stash that worked great for the cupboard door.

The cupboard is not 100% square, so the door shifts a little when it is closed. I installed a “catch” that helps align the door when it is closed. shhhh don’t tell Jan, okay?

Because the shutters were old and weathered, the paint (even though I did use primer) would not cover smoothly. However, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this look! I think it is a perfect look.

This is the knob that is currently in place. Jan is probably going to want me to change it out. Hey! It’s a woman’s right to change her mind, right?

I gave a little coat of paint to the hinges.

Pretty Yellow Shutter Cupboard

Do you like the two toned look? How about the knob? Jan is thinking it needs a simple wooden knob instead. Please let her know what you think in a comment below.

gail