In an age when everything old is new again, old doors are getting a second chance. Seen in antique stores and at flea markets, old doors with peeling paint are an item that can be transformed into a functional and beautiful addition to the home. Here are 11 great ideas for repurposed doors.
- Folding Screen
You can either use several doors or cut one in half lengthwise to make a folding screen. Attach hinges, paint or decorate and you have an instant room divider or decorative screen. You can even hang pictures on them or install hooks for hanging clothing. Embellish them with salvaged or new moldings. Completely transform the doors by sanding and painting or leave them with their character-rich patina.
2. Sliding Room Divider
If you want to close off an open doorway in your home, you can construct a sliding mechanism and attach two doors to form a sliding room divider. Similar to barn doors, this is an alternative that lends rustic charm to a room.
3. Table
You can repurpose an old door into a coffee table or dining table with just the addition of a base. Sand the door to remove any loose paint and apply a coat of varnish to seal. For impromptu outdoor dining, drill holes in the door and thread rope through to hang from a tree. Attach the door to a fence with hinges and brace with a folding leg from underneath or secure with a rope from the fence for a pull-down table.
4. Message Board
Paint a paneled door with chalkboard paint and create a unique message board. This would make a nice addition to the kitchen or home office.
5. Art
Create a work of art with paint, decoupage or wallpaper and place the decorative door in a room or outdoors in the garden. Do nothing and leave the door in its original state for a rustic or shabby chic element.
6. Wall Hanging
Turn a door into a unique wall hanging. Use the whole door or cut it in half to display over the sofa. Use the door as a base for a photo or painting display. Enhance a fireplace mantel with salvaged doors to enhance the focal point of the room.
7. Wall Panels
Repurpose old doors as wall panels for a stairwell, hallway or a feature wall. Use them horizontally or vertically in the home for a mixture of interesting wall treatments.
8. Wall Sconce Base
Attach wall sconces to old doors and use them to frame a bed or highlight a wall in any room of the home.
9. Garden Wall
Create a garden wall with repurposed doors for a charming outdoor retreat. Use them in the yard or on a deck for a decorative privacy screen.
10. Hall Tree
Create a stylish hall tree from an old door by adding a table, mirrors and hooks for a one-of-a-kind furniture piece. A custom hall tree is a great addition to the foyer or a mud room.
11. Bookshelf
Cut out the center of the door and add shelves to the frame for a new bookshelf. Create a corner bookshelf by cutting a door in half lengthwise, joining the edges and adding shelves.
Open the door to creative ideas for repurposing salvaged pieces. Old doors can be transformed into unique pieces of art, room dividers, decorative screens, bookshelves, tables and many more one-of-a-kind pieces for the home.
