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A Hunker report describes a DIY approach shared by TikTok user John Dolechek: use one secondhand board to make doors that cover open bathroom shelves. The method can preserve a continuous wood-grain pattern, but measurements, hinge placement and suitable support depend on the individual shelving niche.
A DIY project shared by TikTok user John Dolechek shows how one piece of reclaimed wood can be cut into several doors to cover open bathroom shelves, offering a custom alternative to leaving storage exposed or buying a purpose-built cabinet. Hunker reports that the board was installed as one panel before being divided, a sequence intended to keep the wood grain aligned across the finished doors.
The project starts with a board large enough to cover the shelving opening, sourced secondhand or reused from another job. Hunker suggests looking at architectural salvage stores, Habitat for Humanity retail stores and Facebook Marketplace. The report describes Dolechek’s board as appearing to be roughly a 1-by-16-inch board about six feet long; those dimensions are an estimate from the report, not a universal specification for bathroom shelves.
Before buying or cutting wood, measure the niche’s overall width and height, and account for the difference between nominal lumber sizes and actual dimensions. For example, Hunker notes that a nominal 1-by-16 board measures about three-quarters of an inch thick by 15.25 inches wide. A board that is too narrow may leave part of the opening uncovered.
The described method uses soft-close European hinges, typically a pair for each door panel, with a third hinge suggested for taller doors. After marking and drilling the hinge cup holes, the maker mounts the full board, marks where it should be divided, then removes it for cutting. Sanding and iron-on edge banding finish the cut sides; the doors can then be stained or painted, with optional hardware added.
A Custom Cover for Bathroom Storage
The project addresses a practical problem with open bathroom niches: everyday supplies can remain accessible but may look cluttered when left in view. Adding doors creates a way to conceal toiletries and household items without replacing the shelving itself, if the existing niche can support the installation.
Using one board for several panels may also give the doors a more consistent appearance than sourcing separate pieces. Cutting the panels only after installing and aligning the uncut board is presented as a way to carry the same grain pattern across the doors. That is a design benefit, not a guarantee: the result depends on the wood, measurements, cutting accuracy and installation.
Reusing secondhand lumber can make use of material already available and may avoid purchasing new wood, but the supplied report gives no cost comparison or environmental measurement. The project still requires hinges, tools and finishing materials, and the board must suit the opening. Readers should treat it as a custom DIY option, rather than a one-size-fits-all fix.
European soft-close cabinet hinges
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Planning the Board and Door Layout
The project’s central idea is to install the board as a single piece before dividing it into individual doors. Hunker says this approach can help keep the doors’ grain visually continuous. It also reports that Dolechek later recognized the value of planning the installation before finishing the board, so the doors would only need staining once, after edge banding was applied.
For shelving with fixed dividers, the report says a homeowner can make a separate door for each section, combine several sections behind one panel, or use a single tall door. The choice affects the measurements, hinge positions and support required. A concealed-hinge jig can help drill the cup holes for European hinges; the report also mentions a 35-millimeter Forstner bit as an alternative.
Installation depends on the niche’s construction. Hunker says hinges can be attached to an inner frame if one exists; otherwise, it advises locating the vertical stud framing the opening. The finished wood can be stained to show its grain, painted to match trim or walls, or given an accent color. These are design options from the report, not required steps.
““it’s easier to figure out the installation first before finishing the board””
— Hunker’s description of the project
Fit Depends on the Existing Niche
The source does not provide a complete materials list with total cost, a full set of measurements, or a step-by-step account for every possible shelf configuration. Dolechek’s board dimensions are described as approximate, and the report does not establish that the same size or hinge arrangement will work in other bathrooms. Exact sizing and support requirements remain project-specific.
The supplied material also does not say whether the project has been tested over time, how the doors perform in a humid bathroom, or whether the shelving frame in every home can bear the added weight. Readers should check the condition and construction of their own niche and follow the hinge maker’s installation instructions. The report offers general guidance, not a guarantee of fit or performance.
Measure Before Cutting the Panels
For anyone adapting the idea, the next step is to measure the opening and decide how many panels the shelving layout needs. Check the board’s actual dimensions, plan hinge locations and confirm where the doors can be securely attached before drilling or cutting. Install and align the full board before dividing it if preserving a continuous grain pattern is a priority.
After the panels are cut, the described process is to sand the edges, apply matching edge banding, finish the wood and reinstall the doors. Hunker does not report a follow-up assessment of Dolechek’s finished project or give a schedule for further updates; the result will depend on each homeowner’s measurements, materials and installation.
Key Questions
Can one board cover any open bathroom shelving?
No. The board needs to be wide and long enough for the specific opening, and its actual dimensions may differ from its nominal size. Measure the niche before sourcing lumber.
Why install the board before cutting it into doors?
Hunker says mounting the board as one piece before cutting can help keep the wood grain aligned across the separate panels.
What hinges does the project use?
The report describes soft-close European hinges, with a pair for each panel and a third hinge suggested for taller doors. The appropriate number and placement depend on the door and frame.
Where can someone find secondhand wood?
Hunker suggests architectural salvage stores, Habitat for Humanity retail stores and Facebook Marketplace. Reclaimed material from another project may also work if it is suitable and large enough.
Can the doors be painted instead of stained?
Yes. The report describes staining to show the wood grain, or painting to match trim, walls or another bathroom feature. The finish is a style choice.
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