How to Build Shaker-Type Kitchen Cabinet Doors

Measure the total length, width and depth for the cabinet area, from the edge of far left wall to where the cabinet unit will end, such as the far right wall. Adjust your width measurements accordingly, if you are not going to build cabinets that span from wall to wall. Use your measurements to purchase ready-made cabinets from a home-improvement or cabinet retailer to save you time. Shaker cabinet doors should be flush with each other, so be sure to take this into account when designing the cabinets.

Cut two 1-by-2 pieces of lumber according to your width measurement for the cabinets with a circular saw. These strips will be used to attach the rear wall panel for the cabinet. Use your height measurement and a carpenter’s pencil to draw horizontal guide lines for positioning the strips on the wall.

Use a stud finder to locate the studs on the wall and mark them on the wall with your pencil. Place the strips on the wall and draw reference lines to indicate the studs. Drill a starter pilot hole into the wood strips. Use wood screws to attach the strips to the wall.

Cut the MDF or wood boards according to your width and height measurements for the cabinet doors. Lay the pieces for each door on a flat surface.

Use your length measurement to cut the 5/8-by-2-inch MDF or wood board pieces for the left and right sides of each door to create the Shaker-style molding pieces for the cabinet doors. Position each piece in place on each door panel, butting the edges on the left and right.

Measure the width in between the left and right molding pieces, and cut 2 pieces from the 5/8-by-3-inch MDF or wood board pieces to create the top and bottom mid-section pieces for each door. Lay the pieces in position.

Use wood glue to attach the left, right, top and bottom pieces to the door panels. Allow 24 hours drying time. Sand, prime and stain the door panels and the facing surfaces and edges of the cabinets. Use lighter wood stain colors, such as pine, oak and maple to honor the Shaker tradition. Allow 24 hours drying time.

Attach the hardware for the door hinges, following instructions provided by the door hinge manufacturer.

Determine the location for knobs or handles. Mark screw holes and drill holes to attach hardware for the knobs or handles.

Get two helpers to lift up each cabinet unit, one at a time, so the unit is right below the wall strips and you can reference the stud marks on the wall strips. While the cabinets are being held in position by helpers, mark the inside back wall of the cabinet at the stud points. Remove the cabinet units and drill starter pilot holes on your mark. Have helpers hold and steady the cabinets as you use wood screws to attach the units to the wood strips to complete your Shaker-style kitchen cabinets project.