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How to put doors on open shelves?

Preferably lighter doors or even a slider, although I don't think a curtain would be secure enough. Something I can add a lock of some kind to. Context: I have people living in the same household as me that I don't completely trust and would like to add extra security to my open shelves. I will try to add photos later.

I'm not picky about what the doors look like but the shelves are black. One is a second hand wooden bookshelf & the other is the more modern kind of light mulch wood (forgot the name) but large media shelf. Both bought in Auckland.

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas? Or suggestions?

Is there a way to put up removable doors? If not they can stay up permanently no biggy. Is this feasable? Simple would be preferred. Thanks, Shanley.

The wooden bookshelf sizing:
Size (outer shell):
height - 191cm
wide - 61cm
deep - 31cm
This is the media shelf I bought: https://www.tsbliving.co.nz/products/cddvd-display-shelf-black?_pos=1&_sid=30087dcce&_ss=r
Overall dimensions: 95 x 24 x 194.5cm

Both, apologies for the disorganisationWooden bookshelf, sorry about the messMedia shelf, apologies for the mess

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JacobZ

Hi @ShanleyMicahnz,

Many thanks for your question and welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you join us.

Is it possible to get some photos of the shelves? Our helpful members can offer general advice, but it's often much easier to give advice that is relative to your issue when it can be seen. Let me know if you require any assistance uploading images, I'd be more than happy to help.

Would the shelves be narrow enough to have one door? Or would they require two doors that meet in the middle?

The simplest way I can think to add lockable doors is to install Kaboodle Doors with Kaboodle Door Hinges and a hasp and staple that can be locked with a padlock.

Unfortunately, it's hard to say what would work without seeing it.

Allow me to tag some of our helpful members to see if they have any ideas @DIYGnome, @Nailbag, @Dave-1.

Jacob

Dave-1

Morning @ShanleyMicahnz

Interesting question... 🙂 Going to wait for some pics as ive already pictured in my head a few different types of shelves as I was reading your question and kept changing the shelf 🙂

If the shelves are far enough apart and deep enogh you could potentially screw a small localable style box on the shelf itself. Keep the most important items in it and leave the others "in the danger zone"? 🙂

Dave

ShanleyMicahnz

Hi, I have added photos!

ShanleyMicahnz

Hi, I have added photos! Hope it helps. @Dave-1 @JacobZ

JacobZ

Hi @ShanleyMicahnz,

Thanks for uploading those photos.

Now seeing the shelves, my recommendation is still very similar to my original advice, however I would change the doors to inBuilt Black Edged Melamine to match the shelving.

You would need to measure the dimensions of the shelves and have the melamine cut to match. Whether you have a single door, or a double door depends on the widths of the shelf.

You will then need to attach the melamine doors with cabinet hinges that are rebated into the shelf and door. This can be done with a Kreg Concealed Hinge Jig to ensure perfect rebates every time.

Once the doors are installed, a hasp and staple with a padlock would work with a double door, or a Prestige 110 x 19mm Door / Drawer Lock would work for a single door.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

Dave-1

Evening @ShanleyMicahnz

Mmmm I have in mind some clear perspex and hinges for your squarer bookshelf.

Suntuf 600 x 1200 x 3mm Clear PVC Handisheet $63.69ea

Taskmaster 305 x 27mm Matte Black Continuous Hinge $8.06ea

Goliath Straight Tongue Lock Barrel $11.86ea

(there are a large range of locks available depending on how you want to go locking down the cabinet.

You could either cut the perspex so it covers one row of shelves or go for a two door approach. If you do that you may need to figure out how to install the lock in the middle (bit of an unknown until you decide on a few things) The clear perspex will still give you full view of the cabinet and the continuious hinge will give a better way to fix it to the edge of your shelves.

Dave

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