Style Your Fridge with This Easy DIY Wooden Handle Tutorial
We decided to upgrade our fridge with a beautiful natural wooden handle! Spoiler alert: we didn’t buy this handle; we actually collected it from the woods – yes, really! The two handles in the picture are made from a large branch of an elderberry tree. You won’t find a more natural, beautiful, or cost-effective refrigerator handle anywhere. As an added bonus, with this DIY refrigerator handle we created sustainable home decor by incorporating natural materials that not only beautify our space but are also budget and nature friendly. And the best thing is: You can do that too! Here is my Step-by-Step guide on how to HANDLE your fridge, haha! Let’s dive into the steps!
DIY Wooden Handle: Step by Step Guide
The first step is to have a refrigerator that already has a handle. Thanks to the old (not-so-pretty) handle on our fridge, we could easily attach the new handles without drilling into the fridge itself, preventing any damage. You can see the old handle in the next picture right next to the new handle – quite a change, right?
During a walk, we stumbled upon a broken elderberry tree. Finding a dead tree had several advantages: we didn’t have to break off a living branch, plus the bark had already come off, making it easier to work with the wood. However, not everyone will find such a lovely branch while strolling, especially when actively looking for one. But if you’ll keep your eyes peeled, you’re sure to find something! Alternatively, the local hardware store might have what you need.
We first cut the raw branch to size using a hand saw. Since we wanted handles for both the refrigerator and the freezer, we sawed the branch into two similarly sized pieces. Next, we sanded the wood by hand with sandpaper until the wood was smooth to our hands and we were happy with how it looked. Since we love the natural look, we didn’t treat the wood with oil or paint. But make sure you’ll design your handle the way you love to!
Why We Love the Wooden Fridge Handle
We’ve had these handles on our refrigerator for over four years now, and we couldn’t be happier! Not only does this handle look great (especially in our cozy wooden house), but it also feels fantastic. Wood is much warmer than cold metal. The rounded shape makes it easy to grip, unlike the old handle, which was too thin and angular.
What Else Did We Change About Our Fridge?
Additionally, we applied chalkboard film to our refrigerator and freezer for a cohesive look – the original dark gray color of the fridge didn’t match our decor at all. The chalkboard film can be written on with chalk markers. Also, magnets holding cards or pictures look harmonious alongside the erasable chalk messages on this black fridge!
If you’re looking to give your refrigerator a fresh new look, feel free to comment on what changes you make and how you like it! Good luck with your DIY Refrigerator Handle project, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out! xx Pauline