10 Exciting DIY Projects You Can Make With Old Windows At Home

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An old window doesn't have to sit in your shed collecting dust. Those wooden frames and divided panes can become the starting point for something that's useful or just nice to look at — from a rustic coffee table to wall storage that gives your everyday clutter a home. If you enjoy decorating with pieces that have a little history, repurposing a window is a way to bring that character into your space without buying something new made to look old.

The best project depends on the window you have and what your home needs. A small frame could become a jewelry organizer or a chalkboard, while several windows might come together as a greenhouse. Depending on how weathered the frame is, the project could lend itself perfectly to farmhouse wall decor, but a different finish can help the same material fit a more contemporary room.

That being said, just because you have a window doesn't mean it's ready to be turned into something else. Give it a check for rotten wood, loose joints, and cracked glass before building around it. If the painted frame was manufactured before 1978, assess it for lead before sanding or scraping; the Environmental Protection Agency explains that disturbing lead-based paint can create hazardous dust. Once you're in the clear and have found a sound piece, these ten projects offer plenty of possibilities.

Tired of the typical coffee table options in stores? Turn an old window into a coffee table with rustic charm using reclaimed wood and a little creativity. YouTuber Vintage Revivals Home & Garden Decor makes a six-pane wooden window into a coffee table using old fence boards. The fence pieces become the legs and add additional boards to create an optional lower shelf to display coffee table books or other knickknacks. A light whitewash and gentle distressing complete the farmhouse-inspired look.

There are various ways to turn windows into farmhouse wall art — and if you don't feel like doing much construction, you don't need to alter them that much for this DIY. Hanging an enlarged picture behind the panes is one simple display idea. You could also hang a wreath over the frame and swap it with the seasons. A simple wreath of greenery against a white frame would be the perfect finishing touch in a farmhouse-style home above a console or dresser. Just make sure you use hardware that can handle the window's weight.

Hallways are usually a drop zone for bags and jackets, which are things an old window could help keep tidy. Adding coat hooks to a rustic window frame turns it into wall storage with some character. This DIY works perfectly near the entrance for everyday essentials, or in the kitchen to hold mugs and dish towels. You can also paint this whatever color you'd like, letting you make sure it matches the vibe of the room it's in.

Let's be honest — most room dividers are ugly. Sure, wood-slats can still add privacy in an open floor plan, but a suspended window frame helps define areas in its own stylish way without closing off the entire room. All you need are some salvaged windows painted white and hung from the ceiling with chains and hooks. You can do the same thing with an old door frame, too. Cover the panes with opaque window film or fabric so the divider can also provide some visual screening.

If you're tired of losing your grocery list or forgetting reminders, give them a more permanent home where you're sure to see them. You could use an old window as a chalkboard by painting directly over the glass panes with chalkboard paint. The divided panes give you ready-made sections for shopping lists, weekly meals, or family reminders. Maybe add a small shelf underneath out of reclaimed wood to place chalk and erasers on, so they'll always be handy.

Making a kitchen island out of windows is a bit more involved, but it's perfect if you have multiple large windows on hand. The Shabby Creek Cottage shared a photo of this DIY, which uses the windows as decorative side panels around a kitchen island with an internal frame. Just note that the frame should be sturdy enough to support a countertop and act as storage. The windows can be used as the sides or function as cabinet doors so you can store your dishes behind them. 

Turn old windows into a greenhouse with an impressive DIY that gives your plants a charming place to shine. If you have a bunch of old windows hanging around, you can use them to form the upright sides and pitched roof, while another reclaimed board can provide the base. Glass removal and cutting make this a more involved project, so plan carefully around the panes. Once you've got the greenhouse built, place your plants (or whatever you'd like to show off) inside for the cutest display.

Mirrors can be expensive. But if you have an old window lying around, it can become one for a fraction of the cost. For this, you can use mirror-effect spray paint on the glass — Rust-Oleum has it available on Amazon for just $16 a can. The paint works well, but it's not crystal-clear. For that, you could have a glass professional replace the panes with cut-to-fit mirrors instead. Coordinate the frame's finish with nearby furniture and mount it securely to a wall, or add a support in the back to lean it on the floor.

Bathrooms can be tight and hard to navigate. Luckily, a medicine cabinet can be made out of an old window by building a plywood cabinet box and attaching the window with hinges so it becomes the door. Just size the box to suit your frame, then add shelves spaced for toiletries and other essentials. If the panes are clear, you could add privacy film to conceal the clutter. A stained glass film would work perfectly for this DIY to gently hide away your personal items.

It's easy to forget what jewelry you have when it's not on display right in front of your face. You can turn two or three small narrow windows into a folding jewelry display, joining them together with hinges and adding cup hooks along the top for long necklaces. For earrings, you could replace a pane with securely-attached screen, or stretch thin wires across an empty opening to hold fishhook-style pairs or hoops. Arrange the hinged panels on a stable surface so they stand securely, giving your accessories the cutest home.