DIY: Farmhouse Shutters Made Simple

During the building process, I knew one of our first DIY projects would be farmhouse shutters for our front window. I did not want the plastic generic shutters you could buy from the store and it seemed beginner DIY friendly!

Here is our supply list:

1x6 poplar boards (We used the same size boards for everything... some prefer a smaller horizontal board in which you could use a 1x4)

table saw

wood glue

Milwaukee Drill (linked below)

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-1-2-in-Compact-Drill-Driver-with-1-2-0-Ah-Battery-Charger-and-Tool-Bag-2801-21P/305529238

wood screws

tape measure

sand paper

stain (we used Varathane Dark Walnut)

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Varathane-1-qt-Dark-Walnut-Classic-Wood-Interior-Stain-339720/305502000

paint sticks (spacers between boards)

large head hex bolts

Milwaukee Rotating Saw (not necessary)

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Varathane-1-qt-Dark-Walnut-Classic-Wood-Interior-Stain-339720/305502000

Steps:

1. Cut your boards to your prefered length. We decided to cut the boards equal with the widow. Some prefer a little larger!

2. Stain the sides of the boards that you will not be able to access once the boards are assembled.

3. We used paint sticks as spacers between the boards. With the spacers in place, we used wood glue and wood screws to attach the horizontal boards. I then used wood filler to cover any screw holes.

4. Once dry, we sanded the wood filler and edges and stained the cabinets with Dark Walnut stain.

5. After the stain was dry, Brandon used a large drill bit to create pockets for the hex bolts. He had to use a rotating grinder to shorten the hex bolts. Once he created a hole/pocket for the hex bolts we screwed them in and the shutters were complete!

So easy and gorgeous! We were so pleased with how much character the shutters added to our fairly simple, basic builder style home!