16 Free DIY Barn Door Design Ideas for Your Home

Building a Barn Door with a Window

The simplest DIY barn door to build is a solid door like those tutorials shown above, but if you want a barn door with a window, we can help you build it!

Barn Door Hardware

When considering a DIY barn door, look at the hardware options available to you. There are single barn door rails, longer double barn door rails, and even bypass barn door hardware! You’ll also want some type of handle on the door, and most barn door users prefer to have a floor guide of some kind as well to keep the door sliding neatly along the wall.

The hardware makes the difference between updating a hinged door to look like a barn door and either building new or updating an old door to be a rolling barn door that slides on the track. Most barn door hardware leans toward rustic style, but there are also modern stainless steel and even brushed gold options that will ensure that your barn door doesn’t look like it’s from the farm! Here are some of our favorite picks for barn door rail hardware, plus some latch and handle options.

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Hate the look of barn door hardware? Class it up by hiding the rail hardware under a DIY cornice like this!

As you shop: check the barn door hardware kit for specifics about installation, including if a header board is needed and what the maximum width of the door and thickness of the door frame the hardware is designed for. Be sure to check the weight limit too – a DIY barn door built from MDF or 1-2 sheets of plywood will be heavy!

Barn Door Hardware Installation

Each barn door hardware kit will come with its own instructions, so be sure to refer to those as you install the barn door rail and attach the rollers to the door. When you install, you’ll need to mark the wall studs with a pencil and drill pilot holes so the hardware is securely attached to the wall. You’ll also need to take into account the thickness of the door frame (if any) and the distance the barn door hardware and the door itself should protrude from the frame for the look and style (and sound barrier) you want from the door.

As you can see in the gallery below, many barn door rails are installed on an extended door frame header so that the additional piece is integrated into the door framing for a seamless look. This is most easily accomplished with a flat craftsman style trim (like Corey showed you how to DIY here, with the matching window trim here) but the flat piece of trim can also be topped with other carved trim or crown molding for a more elegant style to match the other trim in the house. You could also add an entire DIY wood beam doorway to anchor and disguise the barn door hardware.

Gallery: DIY Barn Door Design Ideas

Barn doors are a great way to add style, functionality, and personality to your home. Whether you prefer a traditional or modern look, there’s a DIY tutorial for barn door design here for everyone. With a little creativity and some basic tools, you can create a beautiful barn door that enhances the aesthetic of your space. So why wait? Start planning your DIY barn door project today and transform your home into a stylish sanctuary. Here is a gallery of beautiful barn door designs we’ve seen at the Parade of Homes, including everything from rustic reclaimed wood barn doors (made from actual barn wood) to modern elegant mirrored barn doors, and even barn doors to hide the television!

Click to see each image larger, read more details, and scroll through the gallery.