The Friday Five: Five Uses for Old Windows

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:

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

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

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:

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

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.

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:

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

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:

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!

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!