12 Unique Ways West Virginians Can Upcycle Their Old Windows and Doors

It can be so hard to say goodbye to things we don’t need anymore, especially when those things are windows and doors that have served our West Virginia homes for years, decades, or, in some cases, centuries.

The good news is your old windows and doors don’t necessarily need to head to the landfill just because you don’t need them for their original purpose anymore. Older windows and doors have a great, vintage look that can lend themselves well to multiple upcycling projects.

I compiled a list of 12 of my favorite ideas for upcycling old windows and doors, but it’s by no means the absolute limit of what you can do with them – the only real limits are your imagination and the amount of effort you’re willing to expend. So before you throw out the remnants from that big renovation project, take a few minutes to explore these ideas to give your windows and doors new life!

1. Hidden Folding Table

Need a place to fold your laundry but short on extra space? This idea might be perfect for you. By mounting an old door – frame and all – on your wall, you can create a folding table that won’t fill up the room when not in use.

Attach chains to the door and frame so when you “open” it, the door will sit flat like a table when you need it, then fold back up into the wall when you don’t. It’s your doorway to efficiency!

2. Corner Shelf

Speaking of space-savers, you can make good use of the empty corner of your room by turning an old door into a corner shelf. This is another project that will require you to cut your door down the middle, so measure carefully.

Once your halved door fits in the corner, you can add the desired number of shelves and apply the right paint color to really make your shelf – and whatever you choose to store on it – pop.

3. Patio Table

If your old door is the right shape, it could make the perfect surface for an outdoor patio table. Doors sectioned with decorative squares can be ideal for this, as each square becomes a built-in place marker.

You can try a number of base ideas with this, including simple legs attached with L brackets or a series of metal plumbing conduits. 

4. Window-Top Coffee Table

What if you could use your coffee table for its intended purpose without losing track of what you have stored inside? With this coffee table, you can!

You’ll need to hit your favorite hardware store to get wood for the table’s base and legs, and prepare to do a lot of measuring before you cut. But when it’s finished, you’ll be in awe of the new life you’ve given your old window.

5. Headboard

An old five-panel door can be transformed into a headboard that will look straight out of a rustic farmhouse. You’ll need to trim the board to fit the width of your bed, so make sure you measure first!

Creating your headboard is then as easy as attaching a French cleat for hanging, a mantle ledge on the top, and a fresh coat of paint on the finished product.

6. Dry-Erase Message Board

If you have kids, you’ve probably learned the hard way how many of their coloring supplies work on window glass – and which ones are the easiest to clean off. Dry-erase markers are the perfect compromise, and with minimal crafting, an old window can become the perfect way for a busy family to pass messages.

All your window needs is a background – some creative ideas include a poster, some vinyl decals, or even a coat of paint – and a place to hang it. Your kids will never be able to say they didn’t see your notes again!

7. Chalkboard

For something a little more unique (and, for my money, a tad more nostalgic and whimsical), you can make your old window message board into a chalkboard.

The process is more or less the same as making a dry-erase board, but instead of putting something on the backside of the window, you’ll cover the front in some chalkboard paint. Tell your kids it’s what you used before there were iPads in schools.

8. Picture Frame

Just because your old window is no longer fit for looking outside doesn’t mean it can’t still be used for a look into the past. An old window can be a gorgeous frame for family photos, school pictures, artwork, and other precious memories.

The larger your window and the more sections it has, the more creative you can be by separating photos by eras, branches of the family tree, or any other categories you can imagine.

9. Room Dividers

Your doors might not be able to separate two rooms anymore, but they can separate different parts of a single room. Two doors, each cut vertically down the middle, can be transformed into a folding screen room divider.

The same hinges your doors used in their previous lives can be used to attach the pieces together in a zig-zag pattern, and a coat of paint can make them match – or fashionably clash, depending on your taste. You can even add hooks and shelves to make your screen extra useful.

10. Bathroom Cabinet

You’ll never need to wonder what’s inside your bathroom cabinet when its door is a repurposed window. You’ll need to build your own frame box and shelves unless you’re lucky enough to find components that are already the perfect size to match your window.

This cabinet is extremely customizable, and you can either paint it or leave it in its current state for a more rustic aesthetic. 

11. Miniature Greenhouse

Your old windows can also find new lives as part of a shelving unit, making a great home for your houseplants.

Use your old windows to build a box with screens or shutters for a roof. Add shelves to the inside, and you have a miniature greenhouse that will steal all the attention of your houseguests.

12. Porch Swing

Did you know that you can transform a pair of old doors into a porch swing? Well, you do now, because I just told you! You’ll need to cut the doors down to the size you want for your swing, so make sure you are being as safe as possible.

Speaking of safety, be very careful while mounting your swing – you don’t want it falling to the ground while you’re in the middle of a relaxing swing session with your sweetheart. Make sure your ceiling is sturdy enough to take the weight and that your chains are properly rated and secured.