Why Repurpose Your Old Door?
Canada throws away a staggering amount of old household items, including windows and doors, every year.
If the time has come to install new doors in your home, you may want to consider repurposing your old door through upcycling. Upcycling is a trend in the DIY community where old furniture is transformed into something new. Not only does repurposing your door reduce waste, it can lead to a unique, decorative piece for your home.
Here are some creative DIY ideas to repurpose your old door
1. An oversized picture frame
An old French door is the perfect opportunity to create a decorative picture frame to mount on your wall. If you decide to paint the door, add a rustic barn wood finish by using a dry brushing technique. Dry brushing involves using minimal paint on your brush, so it’s almost dry, and brushing in random strokes to avoid a uniform look. Sanding the edges of your door will give it that distressed look. Finally, place your photos behind the glass panes and mount it horizontally on the wall. The result is a charming picture frame with a rustic feel.
You could also add coat hooks to add more function to your personalized picture frame.
2. A unique outdoor table
Tired of the same cookie-cutter patio furniture? Why not make your own rustic table for the backyard out of an old door? Not only will it be a great dining space, it’s sure to be a show-stopper when guests come over. The options to customize it are limitless; you can take the rustic wood approach or paint it a bright, eye-popping colour. Using stencils can help perfect the look of the door by adding summer words or designs to the panels.
3. Entryway letter desk and chalkboard
Almost any old door can be transformed into the perfect entryway desk. The first step is selecting the paint/finish. Some scrap wood can be used to create a shelf for keys or letters when you first walk in. Next, turn the top panel into a chalkboard with chalkboard paint. A chalkboard in the entryway is the perfect way to keep the family up-to-date with grocery lists and reminders all in one central location.
4. A unique ladder bookshelf
There never seems to be enough space to keep things organized, so who couldn’t use a new bookshelf? There are many ways to repurpose an old door into a bookshelf, but one cool idea is to slant the door vertically removing all the panels and adding shelves from scrap wood. Reduce the width of the shelves as you move up the door vertically to get the slant toward the wall.
5. A full-length mirror
An old door is the perfect size to create a glamourous, full-length mirror. Simply take measurements and cut mirror to size (this may require a call to a glass company). You can remove the wood panel and replace with the mirror or glue the mirror over the wood, just be sure the wood is sanded and stripped of finish first.
A repurposed door is a fun DIY craft, but also a great way to add character and charm to your home. If it’s time to upcycle your old doors, the team at Beverley Hills Windows and Doors can help with gorgeous new doors. Stop by a showroom location or call for a no obligation in-home consultation today!