DIY Backgammon Board with a Recycled Door
- By Joan
- November 9, 2022
- 2 Comments
DIY Backgammon Board with a Recycled Door
I picked up these 2 hollow core doors for free from the dump pile at my local architectural salvage yard. They were in awesome shape, just not what people are normally looking for when they’re shopping for vintage doors.
I cut the doors into 6 24×24 inch squares getting rid of the door knob hole.
The problem with using hollow core doors, once you cut into them they are (surprise, surprise) hollow inside.
Don’t be deterred, they still are a fantastic canvas for painting on.
Cut scraps of wood to fit inside the edges of your door, glue and clamp in place.
Since I will be adding a frame I did not have to fill in all the holes and anything messy will be covered up..
This is how my 2 ft square door compares to the size of an average gameboard.
From 2 doors I had enough wood to make 6 gameboards.
Look how pretty that wood is. It definitely reminded me of mid century modern decor and wouldn’t they be beautiful as a headboard. But I digress, back to my project…
I primed my game boards with a coat of light grey chalk paint.
Online I found a pattern for a backgammon board.
At BlockPosters.com I enlarged and printed out the pattern to be equal to 24″ square. (about 3 pages wide) Print and tape the pages back together.
To transfer your image to your door, cover the back of the print out with charcoal (above) or pencil.
Tape the backgammon image to your door and use a pen and straight edge to go over the lines transferring the image .
Fill in the transferred lines with your favorite colors. I’m using chalk paint that I currently had on hand. You can use acrylic paints but I find the chalk paints give better coverage in just one coat.
To make the backgammon game look a little more official, I used a couple of IOD transfers I had leftover from this project.
If you go to this website you can find a retailer near you.
If you like the aged look on a gameboard, the we’ve been playing this game for years look, go over the entire gameboard with fine sandpaper.
Seal with clear wax and a tiny bit of antique wax mixed in.
Use the antique wax sparingly and add more as needed. Wipe off any excess.
When dry, buff the backgammon board with fine steel wool.
I framed my board with plaster lath strips. The strips were easily nailed to the blocking I inserted in the door. They were the perfect width for my door but did need sanding.
Game pieces were easily cut from a fallen branch. Paint with 2 contrasting colors.
When not in use the backgammon board would make a fantastic graphic wall decor.
I haven’t made them yet, but I do have enough door pieces to create 5 more game boards. Wouldn’t they make great presents?
Until next time, stay inspired.
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Excellent project, as usual!!! I am always inspired by what you do–thank you so much for sharing all the details and steps taken! Went with a girlfriend to Black Dog Salvage the other day (she’d never been there!) and saw the IOD kits–so when I saw the crests you used on the board, made me want to go back and purchase a kit! Clicked on the link to your June post with the thrift store finds, and loved THAT post too!
Fantastic result!! You are so talented Joan!