Upcycled Cupboard Door into Command Center

Wow, summer came to us with a bang this year!!  My kids have been out of school for a week and are reading up a storm and loving the time to just play.

I have been insanely busy with random things like presenting all day at a girls day camp and then running a service project for the women in my church.  To top it off we are leaving tomorrow for a family reunion and will be gone for a week so I will be MIA in blog land!  And.....before we leave in the morning my husband and I are doing a triathlon.  It will be my first open water swim so please pray I won't DIE!!!  Eeek!  I am insane.

With all that craziness going on I thought I would share one of my contributor projects that appeared about a month ago on My Repurposed Life, an upcycled cupboard door into command center!

MyLove2Create, Upcycled Cupboard Door into Command Center

It is perfect for the small spot behind the door from my garage into my kitchen!  I have been wanting a place to hang my purse and jot notes and reminders down in hurry and this is just what I needed! 
cupboard door before and painted
I picked up this cupboard door almost a year and a half ago at the Restore for $1.  I figured I could make a cute sign with it or something.  While I was painting another project, my Large DIY Bracket Frame, I decided to paint the door too, why not?!   It has been hanging out for a while now with nothing to do.  Well, not anymore!  I came up with the idea to make this cute little cupboard door into a fun command center!
Priming and painting plastic tray
I was thinking of painting a chalkboard on it and making a cork board,  so I knew I needed a place for chalk, paper, pens and such.  In my kids bathroom I have these cool little plastic drawer organizers.  I remember thinking this will totally help separate my kids tooth brushes and toothpaste, I am so smart.... Wrong!  For some unearthly reason my kids don't use them, everything is just thrown in as a huge sticky mess  (I say sticky because kids can't just push out a small amount of toothpaste, it has to be a quarter size, and then the rest gets rubbed all over EVERYWHERE, ready to turn into toothpaste cement once it dries.  Have you ever tried to clean up dried toothpaste?  Ha, now you have an experiment, go ahead give it whirl...have fun!) My pathetic attempt at organizing was completely fruitless. 

Sorry tangent... Anyway, I saved an "unused" plastic tray from the grasp of the cement hardening toothpaste and scrubbed it really good.  Then I gave it a coat of plastic primer, and then glossy black, both of which I already had on hand.
Taping off and painting chalkboard paint on cupboard door
I taped of the top of the cupboard with painter’s tape, oops ran out of the green.  Then I gave the cupboard and the plastic tray front, three coats of chalkboard paint.  The above photo is after one coat.  I love this stuff!
Cutting the cork
If you have been reading my previous contributor posts for Gail you know I get a lot of stuff for free.  This cork roll was one of my free finds, and to tell the truth I can’t even remember from where, craig’s list, freecycle…  But, I knew someday I would want to use it!  I cut it to the size I wanted using my paper cutter and mat, and this plastic ruler that has been used more for wood and other projects than quilting.  It is awesome!
Using gorilla super glue to attach cork onto cupboard door
I used this (non expanding) gorilla super glue to attach it to my cupboard door.  I just put glue on the back of the cork, set it where I wanted it, put a heavy book on top and held it in place for about a minute.
screwing plastic tray onto cupboard door
I predrilled holes and screwed on my plastic tray.  I didn’t take a picture but I used black glossy craft paint to paint over the screws, so they would blend in.
Using contact paper as chevron stencil
I could have been done at this point but since I never throw anything away…I still had this left over contact paper stencil from when I  made my Halloween Spider Craft.  I used a few chevron stripes to stick on the cork, and pressed them down firmly.
painting chevron stencil
Then I simply painted one coat of white.  When I do stencils I always start, with very minimal paint, on the stencil and paint towards the middle.  This ensures crisp clean lines!
MyLove2Create, Upcycled Cupboard Door into Command Center
I added three hooks on the bottom for keys and my purse (yay!), and I was done…
Adding d-rings to hang cupboard door
Well almost.  I did add two D-ring mounts to the back.  They are nice and strong, and I just had to drill screws into the wall to hang them on.  One screw was in a stud the other was anchored in the drywall.
MyLove2Create, Upcycled Cupboard Door into Command Center
It is super awesome to be able to hang my purse and keys!  I also love having the cork board for coupons and reminders, and the chalkboard too!
MyLove2Create, Upcycled Cupboard Door into Command Center
The little tray can hold quite a bit and I don’t have to worry about things falling out!
MyLove2Create, Upcycled Cupboard Door into Command Center
I am pretty excited about it, and happy I finally found a use for my $1 cupboard door! I am thinking my husband has no excuse now for losing his wallet and keys.  The tray and hooks are perfect for taking care of such a job!
MyLove2Create, Upcycled Cupboard Door into Command Center

As I was building this I realized that this might be nice for my kids rooms or maybe even the office, it really could be modified for any room in the house!  What would you use it for?
Hugs,
Mindi
I will be linking to these parties.

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18 comments

  1. wow, you're so busy these days! Good luck on the triathalon!!! you're one brave woman!

    have a safe (fun) trip!

    gail

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  2. Love how you reused the cabinet door. You were able to create something so useful that took advantage of a small space and made it functional. Would love if you shared your talents on Merry Monday Linky Party tomorrow at 6pm PST @My Pinterventures.

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  3. Mindy, this project is so cute! I love the functionality in such a small space. Hope you have a great summer!

    Val @ artsybuildinglady.blogspot.ca

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  4. This project has like 5 things in one....and as a busy mama that just rocks for how we roll around here! I just love it Mindi!!! And the fact that you made it out of an old cupboard door just blows my mind....it is beautiful! I hope that you are having a good week and sorry I am behind a bit we have been so busy over here! Happy summer pal! Great job! Nicole xoxo

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  5. Such a fun idea for getting organized! Thanks for sharing at Fridays Unfolded!

    Alison
    Nancherrow

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  6. Love it...how cute. I love the blue you used ;)

    Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Wow what a great idea and I think I am going to make one for my laundry room by the back door. Not only can I empty pockets in the tray I could use it as a message board on your way out the door.

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  8. This is too cute! I have a couple of cabinet doors lying around - maybe I should give them to you since you always come up with awesome ideas. :D

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  9. This is such a great idea - I love how you used both chalkboard and corkboard so you can handle all sorts of messages! Great drop zone :)

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  10. Another great project! I had to save it for future reference. Thank you so much for sharing at Tuesdays at Our Home. Hugs, Maria

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  11. That's a brilliant idea on how to re-purpose those doors! I love all the little details and color.

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  12. Love this! Thanks for sharing at the party Mindi! Theresa @DearCreatives

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  13. You did an amazing job on this project! What I love about it the most is that I have all the supplies here at my house already to make my own! This would be a perfect addition to my front door, especially with the little chalk holder since my son likes to pull down my husbands work badge! Great job! I would love it if you joined up with our party this week, I could totally see this as something that would be a feature! http://www.sowderingabout.com/search/label/Awesome%20Things

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  14. Fabulous job of combining chalk board, cork board, heck... everything into one! Love it!

    Thanks so much for sharing at Show-Licious Craft & Recipe Party!
    ~ Ashley

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  15. Thank you for sharing this post at City of Creative Dream's City of Links on Friday! I appreciate you taking the time to party with me. Hope to see you again this week :)

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  16. genius! love the "others" (cork, hooks, tray...) beside just chalkboard.

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  17. Another super cute and practical project! I'm featuring it today at Think Tank Thursday! http://saving4six.com/2014/06/welcome-to-think-tank-thursday-87.html

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  18. This is just awesome!

    Sarah @ Backwoods Babies

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Your comments make me smile! I love to hear what you think!