For many of us, the problem of what to do with old household items is a constant question. Things inevitably start to break down and come to the end of their life cycle, or we decide that a complete revamp of our home or a certain area of our home is in order and we are left with two decisions: send the old material and items to the junkyard or attempt to extend its life by finding an innovative and creative use for it. Old doors are no exception. Below are five great ideas when it comes to repurposing an old door.
Glass door room dividers. Old glass doors, whether they are from an outside structure such as a garden or storage shed or swinging patio doors can make great rustic-looking room dividers anywhere in the house. Use old glass doors to create a sense of privacy and add some character to a computer room or home office.
Bathroom cabinets. The weathered wood of an old door can add a surprising amount of charm to a bathroom, especially if the aesthetic or theme of the house is old and storied. Bathroom cabinetry typically comes with mirrors and lighting, which you are still able to install yourself on or above your new DIY door.
As a decorative piece. Add a sense of charm and mystery to a bedroom or guest bedroom by tucking an old door in the corner behind an armchair or beside an armoire. The door does not have to be in amazing shape for it to look great. An old door that is not holding up to the test of the elements and time can still find life as an artistic statement or decorative piece, especially if it complements the existing aesthetic in a room.
As a backdrop for some impromptu shelving. An old door with some two-by-fours affixed to the exterior can be leaned up against a wall in the hallway, or again, even in a bedroom and be used as a shelving unit to place books, a vase of flowers or family pictures. Hooks can be attached and used to hang umbrellas, bags, purses, even keys.
Turn it into a table. An old door simply needs to be flipped upside down and 90 degrees, remove the handle, affix some legs and you have a new table. It doesn’t even need to be refinished, simply leave it as is and let the character it has built over the years speak for itself.
With a little creativity and some elbow grease, anything around the home can be completely reimagined to serve a multitude of purposes. Whether you are in love with an old door that has come to the end of its life that you just can’t bare to part with, or are trying to reduce the amount of waste you are sending to the local landfill, consider the above five repurposing ideas for your old doors and let your mind run free.
