DIY Beam Doorway

When I redid my kitchen, I originally wanted to rip down the wall between the living room. When I decided to save 10k and leave the wall up, I decided to really embrace the division of room. Since I wanted to do a ship lap ceiling in the kitchen, I decided to put up a DIY beam doorway. This further divided the two rooms, but for the better I think!

DIY beam doorway

before

I thought I’d show how this opening between the living room and kitchen looked when we first moved in. No trim, no interest- it is two separate rooms that kind of flow? I wasn’t a fan. 

Then we installed wallpaper in the dining room and it just abruptly stopped. I don’t have a picture because I hated it. So I had all these issues- I wanted division in the rooms, an ending point for the shiplap, and for the wallpaper. The answer? A DIY beam doorway.

It looks like a cased opening, but it’s WAY easier to do because you use boards from the hardware store, screw them into the wall, and you don’t have to deal with drywall!

SUPPLIES

• 5″ Screws (pack of 50) $20
• 4×6-8′ Boards (3 of these) $57 
• Corbels (set of 2) $16
• Ultra Pure White Paint

This is a $100 project if you use paint you have on hand.

step 1

Start by cutting the 4×6 boards down to the size as the opening. We started with the header and then installed the two side beams. Our baseboards went between the two rooms, so we had to cut an opening for the wood beams.

step 2

Next, use construction adhesive and a screw to attach the corbel to the two top corners of the wood beams. This is adds a lot of interest. And gives the doorway the look of an arch. All that detail?! It makes me so happy!

The wood needed lots of wood filler where the screws secured the beams into the drywall. I also filled in knots in the wood. I wanted a smooth look and not a rustic one. For different spaces (like if you wanted to stain the wood), the knots would add character. It just depends on what you’re going for. 

Last, I used caulk on the seams.

step 3

And now, it’s all a matter of painting. I went white on white on white- I love the look of layered trim and shiplap. Above is when the space is in progress, below you can see all the trim finished.

after

Ta da! And here is the new beam doorway! Isn’t it pretty with the fancy corbels? I think it frames the view into the kitchen so nicely. I’m going to link the wallpaper in case anyone is interested in it. 

Plus, doesn’t it look so much more finished than before?!

You can see how the beams give the perfect termination point to the wallpaper-

I also wanted to show the view from the kitchen to the living room. We put crown molding in the kitchen and I think it gives the perfect finishing touch. One day we want to add shiplap and crown molding to the living room, but it’s a pricey project so we’ve got to save up for it.

Isn’t it fun seeing how layering trim and wallpaper and decorative details really finishes off a room!? I hope that this DIY was helpful- it’s such a great way to divide two rooms and add a lot of interest. Is this a project you’d do?

source links

Below are links to all products in the kitchen (click on the words or picture to be taken to the source). If something isn’t listed, it probably isn’t available anymore. If you have any questions on the sources, please leave a comment and I’ll let you know. 

Fridge and Stove– Pastel Turquoise

Mint Sink

Kitchen Faucet– Champagne Gold

Bird and Branch Chinoiserie Wallpaper Mural

Dining Room Bench (Ikea Hack)

Decorative Trim on Bench

Flush Mount Light Kitchen

Dining Room Chandelier

Ceiling Medallion

Dining Table

Pink Dining Chairs

Corbel Trim

Roller Shade Dining Room Window

Blush Blossom Peel and Stick Tile

White Subway Tile

Floating Decorative Shelves

Lenox Spice Village Houses

Pink Cabinet Paint- Cupcake Pink

Bamboo Handle Medium

Dogwood Knob Small with Pink Quartz

White Paint- Ultra Pure White (ceiling and trim)

Floral Art

Ocean Sunset Art

Pink Abstract Art

Abstract sunset hand painted art

Plates over the Stove

Tea Towel with my Grandma’s Recipe

Recipe Tin

Colorful Dishes

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