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You are here: Home / DIY / The Friday Five: Five Uses for Old Windows

The Friday Five: Five Uses for Old Windows

April 3, 2015 By Karen Cooper 4 Comments

Happy Friday!! For today’s Friday Five, we’re talking windows! I find old windows by the side of the road, on people’s trash piles, all the time. Don’t throw them out! Use ’em! Here are five upcycling ideas for old windows.

1.  Memo Board

An old window makes a great dry-erase memo board/calendar. Glass is the perfect dry-erase surface. First I cleaned the window well with all-purpose cleaner:

first clean the window - five uses for old windows - Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

Then, for the background, I duct-taped wrapping paper to the panes.

memo board front view - five uses for old windows - Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

You could use any kind of decorative paper here. I later updated this memo board using scrapbook paper:

memo board with scrapbook paper - five uses for old windows - Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

An easy project to create a dry-erase memo board – perfect to keep track of a week’s activities.

2.  Frame for Art

You can also use windows to frame art. I loved this paint-on-metal art, but it needed a frame or something to give it added weight. I used an old window to frame it and now it looks more substantial:

rectangle window into frame - five uses for old windows - Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

I also have an old window that sits behind this painting I got at a thrift store:

window as backdrop for art - five uses for old windows - Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

The painting itself is too small for that wall space, but the window behind it gives it weight and now it fits perfectly there. Plus, I like the layering of the green colors, plus the contrast of the densely colored painting against the light glass in the window.

3.  Window as Art Itself

Some windows are just pretty. Check out how I’ve used old windows as decorative elements.

painted tulips on window - five uses for old windows - Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

The painted window was already bright yellow. I just painted tulips on the back of the window with glass paint.

An old window from a corner cabinet we demo’ed in our old house now hangs in our family room:

cabinet window as art - five uses for old windows - Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

Remember this window from our old house? (If not, read about it HERE.)

close-up of glass in window - five uses for old windows - Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

I haven’t hung it in our new home yet, but I love it, even though I almost ruined it!

4.  Cabinet Door

I bought this cabinet at an estate sale. The door to it is an old window:

dishes in cabinet in breakfast room - kitchen reno - Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

Just make sure, when using a window as a door like this, that the window is sturdy enough to hang. Old windows sometimes come apart when hung as a door, on hinges. Trust me on this one. (I learned this the hard way!)

5. Table Top

Turn an old window into a table top!

window as table top - five uses for old windows - Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

This little table was a curbside cast-off – I found it in my neighbor’s trash pile. I painted it and added a top and now it has new life as a fresh side table!

Word of warning about using windows as table tops: Make sure that the window has tempered glass OR put a piece of tempered glass on top of it before using it on the table. Then there’s less chance of injury if it breaks.

I hope this inspires you to dumpster dive for old windows! What have you done with old windows? Share in the comments! I’d love to know!

Have a great weekend/Passover/Easter everyone! Blessings to you all!

You might also like:

  • Memo Board from an Old Window
    Memo Board from an Old Window
  • Five Upcycled Gift Ideas (Friday Five)
    Five Upcycled Gift Ideas (Friday Five)
  • The Friday Five: Five Favorite Repurposed Items in My Home
    The Friday Five: Five Favorite Repurposed Items in My Home

Filed Under: DIY, Friday Five, Repurposing and Upcycling 4 Comments

About Karen Cooper

Hi! I'm Karen. I call myself a “recovering lawyer” - I traded in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY adventures. Join me for DIY, home decorating, repurposing and upcycling, and organizing projects and tips as I transform a 1929 Tudor bungalow into our home. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home.

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Comments

  1. Cheryl @ Artzzle says

    April 3, 2015 at 2:18 pm

    Karen, I always find something good … cute … pin-able in your Friday Fives. Happy Easter and have a blessed Passover.

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      April 3, 2015 at 11:46 pm

      Thanks, Cheryl! Happy Easter and Passover and Spring to you, too!

      Reply
  2. Mallory says

    April 7, 2015 at 2:21 pm

    The dry erase board idea is so clever! Simple, yet ingenious! I love the idea of putting paper behind the glass panes for a pop of pattern or color too.

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      April 7, 2015 at 5:06 pm

      Thank you, Mallory!

      Reply

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Hi! I’m Karen. I call myself a “recovering lawyer,” because I turned in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY. This blog is all about DIY, home decorating, repurposing and upcycling, and organization. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home.




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About Karen

A "recovering lawyer," I turned in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home. Read More…

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