DIY A Stylish Fluted Door That Upgrades Any Room

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Fluted designs are everywhere right now, and it's not without good reason. Their clean, vertical lines instantly add texture and sophistication, giving any corner of your home a high-end look without the high-end price tag. But if the thought of covering an entire wall in fluting feels a little too permanent or expensive, a simpler way to embrace the trend is a fluted door. Whether it's a closet, pantry, or sliding door, adding this eye-catching detail is the perfect compromise. Best of all, you can DIY a simple yet effective fluted door to update a room's vibe in no time and with minimal commitment.

To get started, you'll need a few basic tools and materials: wood half-round molding or narrow wooden dowels to create the fluted effect, a plain flat door (existing or new), wood glue or construction adhesive, a level, a saw, and paint or stain to finish. If you're creating a sliding door, you'll also need a hardware kit, like this Concealed Sliding Barn Door Kit from Amazon. While it's ideal for turning plain closet doors into a trendy fluted masterpiece, the beauty of this project is that it's flexible — with just a bit of creativity, you can apply the same technique to other furniture pieces in your home and carry the look throughout your space.

With this DIY project, you can update an existing flat door or make a new one from scratch by cutting a piece of plywood to size. Then, measure and cut your half-round molding or dowels to the height of your base. Lay them on the door to make sure they fit evenly across. Then, glue each piece to the door using a level to keep your lines straight.

Once the glue is dry, sand any rough edges and paint or stain the entire thing for a finished look. Mount your door back on the hinges or new sliding track system, and voilà — an instant, stylish upgrade! While the finished door looks great on its own, you can also add a mirror to give the room a more spacious feel and make the door multi-functional.

If you want to take it a step further, you can use the same fluting technique to spice up a solid end table, refresh your dresser drawers, or even create your own stylish fluted cabinet. These small touches can tie your space together, helping you add texture to your decor and achieve a cohesive look. With just a bit of effort, you can create a subtle, modern theme throughout your home.