100 Ways to Use Old Windows

This decor walkthrough stays in the order the work happens.

We couldn’t do a week of solid window tutorials without letting old windows in on the action. So we’ve collected 100 ways to reuse old windows (phew — it was a lot of searching to find the very best ones, so we could show you something outside of the norm!)

Where to find old windows? If you’re lucky, you can find them at an old house and salvage them — so make friends with people who have old houses and need to replace their windows! Otherwise, you can look at window shops (since they replace them and often end up with the old ones), flea markets, antique shops, etc. Having trouble finding an old window? Stay tuned — later this week, we’ll show you how to build your own old-style window! (Be sure to subscribe by RSS or email to get updates for every post of All Things Windows)

Once you’ve found your window, we’ve got all the options you could ever need to know what you want to do with it! We’ve got options for single-pane windows, multi-paned windows, and old windows without glass (because not every window makes it through intact ) — for everything from decor to furniture both inside and outdoors.

Ready? Here we go…

100 Ways to Use Old Windows

We’ll start off with the more traditional, classic ways to use old salvaged windows…

Use an old window as a large photo frame (by Domestically Speaking)

or treat it like a collage frame (from Laura Haley Photography)

Make it a decorative by backing it with colorful scrapbook paper (by Liz Marie)

or with burlap for a nice oldish texture (from A Diamond in the Stuff)

Etch your old window! (via Empress of Dirt)

Staple chicken wire or hardware cloth to the back to make an organizer or display (by RedTop Workshop, here on Bekob)

Create a gallery collection of old windows (via Apartment Therapy)

(source unknown, sorry)

Add hooks and use it as a coat hanger (source unknown).

Use it to add depth when you layer your mantel and decor (from Sugar and Spice)

and use it to add interest to a hanging wreath (at The Sweet Survival — and how solid is that window??)

or a clock (from Down to Earth Style)

or a framed photo or artwork (by Walnut and Vine)

On the next page: more options for using old windows that are flat/non-paned –>

SEE ALSO
page 3: options for using old windows with wooden sashed panes
page 4: How to use an old window that has no glass
page 5: Things you can build with old windows
page 6: Using old windows in your yard and garden

Using Old Windows That are Flat Glass
(no wooden sash pane divider thingies)

While the windows that have the separate panes (wooden sashes, dividers, whatever they are called) are the most sought after — because they scream “I’m an old window! Aren’t I neat?!” — the plainer windows with flat glass surface all the way across have some nice advantages. Meaning, you can do these things with them that you couldn’t do with a “fancier” salvaged window.

Use it like a canvas! Paint your go-to scene on it (from The Shady Porch)

And you can back your artwork with sheet music or old book pages, too (by Creative Genius Art — with lots of other painted windows, too).

Create a clock with it (original source unknown, sorry!)

Paint some wood scraps (or even paper) to make colorful artwork (from Beyond The Picket Fence).

Take it up a notch and make a deep chicken wire photo display with a hinged window on the front (love this from The House of Smiths!)

Put that glassy surface area to work by applying a large vinyl decal of a family name (at Stonegable)

or a wordier family definition, saying, quote, or scripture (from Diary of a Crafty Lady).

Paint on the back to create a dry erase menu board or family organizer (from The Rustic Pig).

Add some washi tape and stickers to create a dry erase family calendar (via Artsy Vava)

Install it in a wall. Yes, that’s right. Put it back in an interior wall! (by  direct Decorating Tips) [plus read more info about making a faux leaded glass window here]

Of course, you can still use it for photos — just create a collage (from Mouse and Hinge). You could even do a square collage to give more of the look of the paned windows with photos.

Create a display shelf (via Robo Margo)

Add some handles and create a decorative tray (by Eclectically Vintage)

On the next page: using windows that have pane dividers –>

SEE ALSO
page 1: Great ways to recycle an old window
page 4: How to use an old window that has no glass
page 5: Things you can build with old windows
page 6: Using old windows in your yard and garden

Using Old Windows with Pane Dividers

Use those wooden sash pane dividers (I hope that’s what they’re called!) to your advantage and really use them to add character to your old window project.

Add a shelf and make one pane a chalkboard, cork board, or white board (image source unknown, sorry)

Screw a few coat hooks into the wooden window frame to create a coat hanger (by Aimee Weaver)

Fill in the pane sections with striking sea glass to create a stained glass effect (via Completely Coastal).

Add hooks, knobs, and cups to make an organizer or decorative themed wall decor (by Tootsie Time).

If you’re feeling brave… use them as a shower curtain! (via Design Sponge) And no, I’m not sure how this would work either!

Use spray paint (or an old mirror) to make a paned mirror (from Finding Home).

Create art from cast off wood pieces (by Beyond the Picket Fence)

by framing doilies (from Flea Market Trixie)

or by painting your old window! (via Tremain Street Cottages)

Attach a wire basket to create a “window box” that can be either decorative or functional (sorry, source unknown)

Hang a set of old windows (carefully, now!) to serve as a room divider (found on Casa Sugar).

Frame prints and hang a clock on top (from Faded Charm Cottage).

Make your old window into a shelf (by Cottage Living)

Create colorful and sentimental art by using an old window to “frame” a quilt (from That’s My Letter).

Build a shallow frame to create a shadowbox (by Unskinny Boppy)

and you can add lights, too! (from Cheerios and Lattes)

Use it as a memo board (by Feminist Housewive on SYTYCDecorate)

or wedding seating chart (from Long Eared Love).

Use it to create a headboard (by Liz Marie). And look at more upcycled headboard options here.

An old window makes a well fitted fireplace grate or cover (for an unused fireplace with candles — via Down to Earth Style).

On the next page: how to use an old window that has no glass –>

SEE ALSO
page 1: Creative ways to recycle and reuse old windows
page 2: options for using old windows that are flat glass
page 5: Things you can build with old windows
page 6: Using old windows in your yard and garden

How to Use an Old Window with No Glass

Sometimes, life gets to the best of us, even lovely old windows. But you can still put those old window frames to use! Try these options for glassless old windows.

String up twine and make a photo card display (by Sunnybrook Farm Designs)

Hang regular photo frames inside the old window (by The Rowe Fam)

Or on top of it (from Down to Earth Style)

Or use ribbon to hang photos in each pane (from Design Build Love).

Use hardware cloth, chicken wire, or window screen to create a great accessory organizer (by Hello Brit, via The Apron)

or a nice photo display (on Rusty Rooster Vintage).

Staple painted fabric inside to make a decorative sign (from Denise on a Whim)

Use wire and knobs to create a jewelry organizer (found on Etsy).

Hang it up high in the kitchen to create a pot rack (by The Frugal Girls).

Paint a piece of wood with chalkboard paint to create a message board or calendar (from House by Hoff)

Stick a piece of sheet metal in the window to create a magnetic chore chart (by Decor Allure).

Use strung twine to create a display for memorabilia or seasonal items (at Funky Junk Interiors).

Hang mason jars with tealights to create a nice ambient light (via Beauty and Bedlam).

Handmade up a command center from your old window (from Junk Market Style)

Make a vertical garden for succulents (at Second Chance to Dream).

Create a memo board – chalkboard combo (via Beyond the Picket Fence)

Organize your family with a wine cork corkboard (at Mom4Real)

Hang Christmas ornaments or other small collectibles in the panes (by A Diamond in the Stuff)

Combine an old window with some small photo frames to create a wall decoration that helps hide your thermostat (by Open Hands Full Heart, here on Bekob)

On the next page: things you can build from old windows –>

SEE ALSO
page 1: Great ways to use old windows
page 2: options for using old windows that are flat glass
page 3: How to use an old window with pane dividers
page 6: Using old windows in your yard and garden

Things You Can Build Out of Old Windows

On top of being great for decorating, old windows make great building materials!

Build a terrarium, and then for bonus points, turn it into an memorable fairy garden (from Unskinny Boppy).

Use old windows to build a tall jewelry/display case (via the ReStore)

Build a barn wood cabinet (via RoboMargo).

A shallow wall cabinet is well fitted for an old window door! (original source unknown, sorry!)

Put an old window in the center of a slim foyer table (from Down to Earth Style).

Build a cabinet using an old window as the door — well fitted for a curio! And the two-tone of the cleaned up and stained window is lovely (from My Repurposed Life, here on Bekob)

 Use an old window as the base for a fabulous architectural style headboard (at Down to Earth Style)

or for an ornate hall tree bench (from The Kountry Store).

A couple of salvaged windows make a great decorative potting table (via RoboMargo).

Try a window turned coffee table like one of these:

using reclaimed pallets with a salvaged window by Heather’s Lens

seen at a flea market by Southern Hospitality

straightforward window coffee table from Topsy Turvy here on Bekob

walkthrough from guest at Tatertots and Jello

direct coffee table (just add legs!) via RoboMargo

or dress it up by making it a stained glass window, and then making it a table! (at Morena’s Corner)

On the next page: ways to use old windows in your garden and yard –>

SEE ALSO
page 1: Great ways to reuse old windows
page 2: options for using old windows that are flat glass
page 3: How to use an old window with pane dividers
page 4: Ways to use an old window that doesn’t have glass

 Ways to Use Old Windows to Decorate Your Yard and Garden

Decorate indoors or out with an old window flower box (walkthrough from Simply Swider)

or pair an old window with a pair of mason jar vases (from Babblings and More)

or a set of shutters and a planter (original source unknown, sorry!)

(via Empress of Dirt)

Use old windows as peekaboo window in your fence (via Tootsie Time)

as part of a garden fence (by Hometalk user Julee)

as a garden gate (via RoboMargo)

or as the whole thing! (by Flower Garden Girl)

Create a vertical succulent planter (via Empress of Dirt).

Build “cold frame” garden boxes (by For The Love of Lillian).

Build a small greenhouse from old windows (walkthrough at Empress of Dirt)

or try this style (via RoboMargo).

Hang old windows along a garden path or arbor (via Flickr user lifebegreen)

or use them as porch decorations (via RoboMargo)

or a porch divider (on Apartment Therapy).

Gather enough old windows and you could even create a greenhouse! (by Sparta Savings, here on Bekob)

 PHEW! Did you make it all the way through with me? Whether you did or not, I hope you found the inspiration that you need! And if that wasn’t enough recycled windows for you, head over to Funky Junk Interiors where she has over 200 answers to the question “what to do with old windows?”

PS: Our go-to way to hang old windows comes from Pretty Handy Girl: use two eye screws and ribbon, wire, or chain.

Read more on these pages:

page 1: Great ways to use old windowspage 2: Using old windows with a single glass panepage 3: options for using old windows with wooden sashed panes
page 4: How to use an old window that has no glass
page 5: Things you can build with old windows
page 6: Using old windows in your yard and garden