Quick and Easy Interior Slab Door Makeover With Trim

Step 2: Cut your strips

So for the shaker style you need two long strips the height of your door. I’d recommend making your strips between 4-6’ in width depending on your door dimensions. I used leftover vinyl flooring strips (weird, I know, but I was looking to use up what I had in the garage and these seemed perfect). These strips were pieces that had previously been ripped down and they are about 3.5” in width. They do the job but would’ve been better if they had been a little bit wider to accommodate the full doorknob and lock cut outs. You will then need three shorter pieces cut to the width of the door minus your two vertical strips (these pieces will fit between the vertical strips). 

I feel like I should mention here that I previously painted my doorknob and lock hardware from a dated gold to this modern matte black. That process is covered in this  blog post. 

Step 3: Attach trim to slab door

From the long strip on the doorknob side, you will need to trace your doorknob opening and cut it out of the strip using a jigsaw. Then attach to the door with brad nails and  nail gun. You can also add adhesive for additional security. I didn’t because I always like the ability to change something later without damaging the surface a ton. Then attach the top and bottom horizontal strips the same way. Last you will want to measure the gap between your two horizontal strips. Make sure to equally space your two middle horizontal strips prior to attaching. 

Step 4: Finishing touches

Believe it or not, you are almost done with your slab door makeover already! The last couple things you need to do is: 1)  caulk all the edges where the trim meets the door so there are no gaps, 2) prime the door and trim, 3) paint your door and trim with two coats of paint. I used the color  Urbane Bronze by Sherwin Williams. It is an awesome moody neutral with both gray and brown undertones. This color plays well with both cool and warm walls. I also opted to paint the door frame trim but this is just a personal preference. 

You are done! Can you believe it is so simple and inexpensive to update an interior slab door?! Oh, and one more thing I want to address because I’ve had people ask on my  IG page. If you are doing the side of the door that closes into the frame: you will need to inset your added trim to accommodate for the door frame. If you don’t and your extend your trim all the way to the door edges then your door will not close all the way. Trust me, once it is painted you will never even notice it is a bit offset. And obviously, you won’t see it at all once it is closed!

I’d love to hear your questions or comments below! And if you want to see the  barn door tutorial from this same hallway, click here! Or you can check out the vinyl flooring in action in this  Boho guest room makeover.