How to build barn door console or buffet - free plans by ANA-WHITE.com
See also: Simplified 8' Barn Door Console Plans

Preparation
- 2 - 2x10 @ 8 feet long
- 2 - 1x8 @ 8 feet long
- 2 - 1x10 @ 8 feet long
- 1 sheet of 1/4" thick plywood or hardboard (for back)
- 3 - 1x2 @ 8 feet long
- 4 - 1x4 @ 8 feet long
- 6 - 2x3 @ 8 feet long
- 2 - project panel pieces 17-1/4" x 36" (may be advertised as 18" wide project panel - measure in store)
- Hardware for sliding doors
Frames
- 4 - 2x3 @ 84"
- 4 - 2x3 @ 17"
- 4 - 2x3 @ 14"
Sides
- 2 - 3/4" thick project panels or plywood 36" x 17-1/4"
Face Frame
- 5 - 1x4 @ 36"
- 8 - 1x4 @ 17-3/4"
Shelves
- 2 - 1x8 @ 87"
- 2 - 1x10 @ 87"
Middle Shelf Supports and Cleats
- 5 - 1x2 @ 14"
- 5 - 1x2 @ 17"
Back
- 1/4" plywood pieces 36" long
Bottom Trim
- 1 - 1x2 @ 90" - both ends cut at 45 degrees, NOT parallel, longest point measurement
- 2 - 1x2 @ 18-3/4" - one end cut at 45 degrees, longest point measurement
Top
- 2 - 2x10 @ 91"
- Doors are cut to fit, overall 20" x 30"
Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!
Instructions
Step 1
Build two frames out of 2x3s. The frames should be screwed together as this is the main support for the entire piece. Use 2-1/2" or longer screws, or for those of you with a Kreg Jig, use 1-1/2" pocket holes and 2-1/2" pocket hole screws. Don't forget to glue the joints.
Don't be concrened about being perfect here, the entire frame is concealed.
Step 2
For the sides, add the side panels. This plan is designed to work with project panels 17-1/4" wide. You can use any material here, plywood or reclaimed wood too. I recommend screwing these to the frames, but you could also use nails and glue - nails should be at least 1-1/4" long. I love how the back overhangs by 1/4" to conceal the back (will put that on in later steps).
Step 3
Step 4
Step 6
Step 8
To get the planked look on the back of the console, Nikki ripped 1/4" plywood into strips and then attached the individual strips to the back. You can also use full sheet of 1/4" plywood. You can use shorter nails here but if you don't want to buy a shorter nail (3/4" would be ideal) the 1-1/4" nails would be fine.
Step 9
Step 10
Step 11
Nikki built the doors shown with 1/2" plywood with smaller strips nailed on top, but you can use a variety of different methods to build the doors (love the reclaimed wood!) Nikki makes her own sliding door hardware too.
Jaime from That's My Letter provides a good tutorial on her sliding door hardware if you want to check that out.
It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.
Comments
Lady Goats
Thu, 08/06/2015 - 12:19
Dream Team
Great plans, great console... totally swooning over here!!
bhoppy
Mon, 08/10/2015 - 08:11
hardware
Jamie from That's My Letter has a tutorial for making the hardware here:
http://thatsmyletter.blogspot.com/2014/10/s-is-for-sliding-door-console…
Jippy
Sat, 08/15/2015 - 21:57
More info needed
I appreciate the plans but the whole point of this post is about sliding doors yet we get no instruction on where to buy hardware or make our own. There is also no tutorial on how to make the X insert on the doors. Without instructions on these two things I think the whole post is almost pointless. It might as well just say here are plans for a regular ole buffet. I believe Nikki Grandy should show us a tutorial on how she made her hardware as it looks significantly different than the one from "Thats my Letter." But big thank you to the person from that blog who so graciously shared the tutorial about their hardware.
bhoppy
Wed, 09/09/2015 - 07:42
you could always buy your own
Here's a kit on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/TCBunny%C2%AE-Country-Sliding-Hardware-Antique/dp…
Jippy
Sun, 11/08/2015 - 09:12
Thanks bhoppy but that
Thanks bhoppy but that hardware is far too big for this console. I think that's everyone's frustration is you cannot find barn hardware that small, you have to make it.
cjay
Tue, 12/08/2015 - 14:35
Sliding Door Hardware
For the rollers I used patio door wheel. I got them at Home Depot (item # 100179045). Pack of 2 was right at $6. For the rail I used 1 1/4" x 1/8" flat bar. I only made mine 6' so that is what I used. I think is was about $11. For the door hangers and the rail supports I used 1" x 3/16" flat bar. I heated it up with a propane torch then I stuck it in a vise and bent it as much as I could. I then removed it from the vise and stuck a piece of wood in the bend that was the thickness that I needed. I hammered it down until it was snug with the wood. Then just drill and add the roller.
Jippy
Fri, 12/11/2015 - 22:54
Thank you cjay! You're
Thank you cjay! You're awesome. I figured I would just have to put flat bars in a vice and bend them. Glad it worked for you.
imsomark
Sun, 02/14/2016 - 17:50
I bent mine in a vise and it
I bent mine in a vise and it worked great with aluminum. I just used a normal hammer and it didn't really eave any marks. I cut the bar to size with a jigsaw and used a file to remove any sharp edges.
Jippy
Fri, 12/11/2015 - 22:55
Thank you cjay! You're
Thank you cjay! You're awesome. I figured I would just have to put flat bars in a vise and bend them. Glad it worked for you.
In reply to More info needed by Jippy
MichelleL
Mon, 01/30/2017 - 11:32
Doors & Hardware
I make mini barn doors for a different purpose, but can help anyone looking for hardware and/or doors for this project. TADcompany on Etsy is my shop. Message me for any custom orders.