Covering up My Incredible Eye Sore - Barn Door Closet!

2 Materials
$20
2 Hours
Easy

We can blame me and the epic lack of communication with omy electrician remains a VERY sore spot for me because it apparently never occurred to anyone that I needed to discuss the location of the new panels SO they ended up right here, right by my front door. Ugly. Ugly. Ugly.

I went to my stash of left over 2x4s and 2x6s and managed to build the entire frame out of scrap lumber from the house renovation. A barn door closet has to first start with a good frame! Really, I just built a little room.

It is not the exact right way to frame in a closet, but it is sturdy and level (screwed to the ceiling joists and the floor) so I'm ok with it not being perfect in wall building standards - it certainly isn't holding up the house or anything. I used a 2x6 on the right side of the door frame to give extra support for my old barn door.

I got to work then covering the entire frame with leftover bead board. I saw no reason not to utilize the scraps I had and, low and behold, it was enough to cover my entire barn door closet!

Like so many things in the house this old door was actually the old wood shed door and, amazingly, this is the old wood shed that is now my entryway.

Then I got to painting and I'm so happy with how it turned out!


(THIS CLOSET PASSED ELECTRICAL INSPECTION BUT ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR CURRENT CODES.)

Suggested materials:
  • Paint
  • Timber
GrandmasHouseDIY
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Frequently asked questions
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3 of 4 questions
  • Paula Bois-Brady Paula Bois-Brady on Oct 03, 2016
    Did you have an electrician come in to secure and protect all the loose wires?
  • Shari Coppinger Shari Coppinger on Oct 29, 2016
    Putting the panels in a closet is strictly against electrical codes in many states. I know here in Mass. and NH it is a code violation. Perhaps you could warn people to find if this is the case in their state before they follow your idea? Which looks really great by the way. I was told that in case of emergency anybody should be able to see the location of the panels .
  • Mike Williamson Mike Williamson on Jan 03, 2019

    Nice job hiding the breaker box.

    I love the live edge wood plank with the horseshoes, above the door!

    I'm looking for a piece or wood like that. Can you tell me where I can buy something like that?


    Mike

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  • Aiokersonalicea1 Aiokersonalicea1 on Jul 04, 2018

    You did a wonderful job.

    If it had been me, there would have been a fight with the electrician. He/She should have known better. All the electricians I have ever talked to would like to have a long talk with them. They left you in a very dangerous situation with ALL those loose wires.

  • MahtaMouse MahtaMouse on Apr 19, 2020

    I . would . be. beyond ticked if my electrician did that to me (by the front door) without asking or at least warning me!!! I love your idea tho; so clever... too bad I never thought of that.


    Like you, I have my panel beside the door... my back door. In my case I didn't have a choice since all the electrical (wires coming in, meter, etc) were on the other (exterior) side of the wall. So what I did was have a large thick frame made out of decorative scrap molding for one of those cheapo 5' long door mirrors you see in Target & Walmart, and then hang it in front of the box (and yes, it did pass inspection). Right now it's on a cleat of sorts, but because it's so big and heavy due to the wood frame; I'm seriously thinking of changing it out to a long heavy duty piano hing for more convenient access to the panel.


    BTW, I've also seen pictures of panels hidden by tapestries.

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