|

20+ Ways To Repurpose Old Windows (Upcycled Window Projects)

When the window installers removed my old dining room windows last Friday, I initially told them to go ahead and haul off the old windows.  Then I had a change of heart. I couldn’t bear the thought of seeing those old windows be thrown into the landfill (which I’m certain is where they’d be headed if they hauled them off for me), so I got online and started looking at different ways to repurpose old windows.   There are so many amazing ideas out there!  These barely scratch the surface, but here are a few of my favorite ideas:

1. Make a headboard

DIY headboards don’t get much simpler than this, and you can hang as many windows as you want to really make a statement.

ways to repurpose old windows - antique window headboard from Liz Marie Blogvia Liz Marie Blog

2. Turn a window into a corkboard

I really love this design using corks from wine bottles, but if you’re not a wine drinker/cork collector, you can use sheets of cork available at craft stores.

ways to repurpose old windows - cork board with wine corks via Mom 4 Real blogvia Mom 4 Real

3. Use windows as a space divider

Hanging old windows is a great way to add definition to open spaces, and this idea can be used inside as well as outside.

ways to repurpose old windows - space divider on front porch via Apartment Therapyvia Apartment Therapy

4. Incorporate a window into a fence design

An old window adds interest to this garden fence, but I can also imagine small windows being incorporated into a standard privacy fence.

ways to repurpose old windows - decorative feature as part of a garden fence via Hometalkvia Hometalk

5. Use windows as doors on a cabinet

Adding old windows to a bookcase or DIY cabinet design turns it into a beautiful and unique curio cabinet.

ways to repurpose old windows - use as doors on antique style cupboard, via Knick Of Time Interiorsvia Knick Of Time Interiors

6.  Build a mini greenhouse

I love this design for a mini greenhouse to store outdoor plants for the winter.

ways to repurpose old windows - make a small greenhouse box with windows as lids, via Simply Country LIfe blogvia Simply Country Life

7. Make a chalkboard calendar

Replace the glass with panels of MDF covered in chalkboard paint, and you have the perfect calendar or days of the week to-do list.

ways to repurpose old windows - window turned into chalkboard calendar via House By Hoffvia House By Hoff

8. Create a family command center

If you need more organization than just a calendar, this command center is the perfect design.  It includes a mail organizer, weekly menu, calendar, and an area for lists.

via Dwelling In Happiness

9. Create a mini garden house

I have no idea if this serves any purpose other than being decorative, but this mini garden house is one of my absolute favorite ideas.  It’s the cutest thing, looks easy to build, and can be decorated for the seasons.

ways to repurpose old windows - small garden greenhouse via Crafts a la Modevia Crafts a la Mode

10. Use windows in a kitchen island design

This is another favorite idea of mine.  Too bad I have no room for a kitchen island!  The windows really make this island look special and custom.

ways to repurpose old windows - use as front of kitchen island, via Olive Outvia Olive Out

11. Make stained glass artwork

Actual stained glass takes quite a bit of practice, and probably many years to master.  But you can fake it with an old window, pieces of colored glass, and clear silicone caulk.

via Houzz Gardenweb forum

12. Turn a window into a coffee table

I’ve seen many different window coffee table designs, but Marty’s is not only one of my favorites, but I think hers was the first coffee table I had ever seen made out of a window.  The top opens so that the decorative items inside can be changed out.

ways to repurpose old windows - window coffee table via Marty's Musingsvia Marty’s Musings

13. Make decorative window boxes

I love this idea for adding interest to storage buildings, fences, or other outdoor areas that need a little bit of dressing up.

ways to repurpose old windows - turn windows into window flower boxes for outdoor decorations, via Simply Swidervia Simply Swider

14. Make a bathroom wall cabinet

This bathroom cabinet is so pretty, and perfectly shows off the items inside.  But if you don’t have pretty items to fill your cabinet, you could always change out the glass for mirrors, and it would be practical not only as storage, but also as an extra mirror, which is always a bonus in a bathroom.

ways to repurpose old windows - turn a window into a wall cabinet for the bathroom, via Liz Marie Blogvia Liz Marie Blog

15. Use a window to frame a family portrait

I’ve seen all kinds of windows used as frames for artwork and pictures, but this design using one large photo to fill up the whole window (rather than individual photos for each pane of glass) is my favorite.

ways to repurpose old windows - use the window as a frame for a large picture, via Domestically Speaking blogvia Domestically Speaking

16. Turn a window into a shadow box

Shadow boxes are very simple to build, and this one takes it up a notch with the addition of lights inside.

ways to repurpose old windows - create a shadowbox out of an old window, via Cheerios and Lattes blogvia Cheerios and Lattes

17.  Use as a backdrop for artwork

This is a brilliant idea for making your artwork appear larger than it is.  If you have a piece of artwork that you really like, but it’s not quite large enough for the space you want to display it, layer it over a much larger window to make the whole thing more in scale with your wall or mantel.

ways to repurpose old windows - use a window to hang artwork on, via Walnut and Vinevia Walnut and Vine

18. Build a greenhouse out of old windows

This is my absolute favorite idea, and this is what I’m hoping to do with my old windows one day.  I’ll have to wait until I have all of my windows replaced (five down, twelve to go!), and I’ll probably have to collect a few more before I can do this, but this is my goal.  There are so many design ideas for old window greenhouses online, so I’m not quite sure just yet what I want mine to look like, but I have a while to plan it.

ways to repurpose old windows - build a greenhouse out of windows, via Houzz Gardenweb forumvia Houzz Gardenweb forum

19. Turn an old window into a decorative wall mirror

This is a simple and elegant idea, and makes the perfect mirror for any entryway.

ways to repurpose old windows - turn a window into a decorative wall mirror, via Craftynestvia Crafty Nest

20. Turn a window into a fireplace screen

I never would have thought of this idea, but it’s brilliant!  The only challenge might be finding the perfectly sized window, but if you can find one, it makes a beautiful fireplace screen.

ways to repurpose old windows - turn a window into a fireplace screen, via In My Own Style blogvia In My Own Style

21. Build a movable window wall

A temporary, movable window wall is great for providing definition between spaces, especially in a small home where you don’t necessarily want solid walls to block sight lines. The window wall defines spaces without closing off rooms from each other and making spaces feel smaller.

ways to repurpose old windows - make a moveable window wall, via Sweet Melanievia Sweet Melanie

What ideas have you come across for old windows that I’ve missed?  There are quite a few of these ideas that I’d love to try myself, but for now, my plan is to save mine up for a greenhouse.  That’s the goal, at least. 🙂

 

 

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

13 Comments

  1. I love the idea of repurposing old windows. Pinterest is full of great ideas.

    I have an old square barn window that I use periodically as a backdrop to holiday decor, on my mantle. It’s fun and goes well with the rustic decor in our family room.

  2. I just got a nine panel wood window and wanted to do the weekly calendar with it. Yes Pinterest is full of ideas so I might need to find a few more. My husband thinks I’m crazy. Cheers

  3. My Father, who along with my Mother, are very serious gardners built a greenhouse out of windows. Its larger than the one shown and has a narrow paver walkway going down the middle of it so that he can garden both sides and still have easy access. This really extends their growing time in northern Ohio but they also are always doing projects because as my Mom says”If we sit around we’ll just get old.” They are both in their late 70’s with multiple health issues that they refuse to let slow them down.

  4. #3 is my goal for next summer. I’d seen it previously on Pinterest, but having just moved in June, it was put on NEXT year’s to-do list. I think replacing a few of the panes with colored glass would be fun, too. We love our new house and our new neighborhood, but the houses are just a BIT closer than we’re used to and having that much of a break between our porches would be practical but still polite. And, well, you know, not the 12′ privacy fence that I personally voted for and my husband vetoed as “anti-social”.

  5. I just bought an art window – an old window filled with clear glass shapes of all kinds that the artist attached with clear marine epoxy. It’s hanging in my picture window in my living room. What about using your windows for cabinet doors when you create your pantry? (Can’t remember if you’re still doing the pantry.)

  6. I like two of these ideas very much, the backdrop one for artwork and the movable window wall!
    Now a suggestion that popped into my head while hoping to actually see one here in your list is in the kitchen – hanging from the ceiling to hold pots and pans.
    I can’t find one online but can you visualize it?
    A window frame suspended from the ceiling from all four corners and maybe one in the middle for extra support if the pans and pots are heavy and the frame has hooks on them, like an S hook, and you hang the pots and pans on it?

  7. I have saved many old windows after they were replaced. I had ideas for using a lot of them until I realized they are all painted with lead paint… I cannot dispose of them in the regular garbage as they don’t want them either. I’m very disappointed.

    1. Sanding even with a respirator on could be an unhealthy choice…stripping with a chemical stripper would remove the lead paint and you could go from there…lead paint is not dangerous unless it is disturbed like asbestos but I would want the windows to be without any of the old paint…there are people who dip strip using a huge tub of stripper…did that once years ago and it was great…good luck…

  8. Beautiful. I love this idea and the greenhouse made out of the old windows. I have old windows and would love to build something like this but I am single….soooooo ugh.

  9. Every idea is amazing. Which one first?? I’m so gung ho to begin my first one. Thank you for sharing!