Add some rustic charm to your home with these old window ideas! Old windows can be repurposed into something beautiful with little effort.
If you have a few old window frames ready to put to good use, we have plenty of ideas for your next project! These fun DIY projects are a unique touch to your home decor.
Whether you have a modern, farmhouse, or boho style, repurposed windows are an easy way to fill an empty space in your home.
Not sure what to do with old windows? You can repurpose old windows into command stations in your kitchen, space fillers on your walls or mantle, or as practical decor solutions with hooks in your mudroom. There are so many different ways to put these weathered frames to use!
There are so many DIY projects that bring new life to these worn-out window frames. For example, headboards, frames for pictures or dried flowers, or even a jewelry organizer!
Things you can do with old windows
Old vintage windows hold so much potential for creative DIY projects! If you’ve got some lying around or stumble upon them at a thrift store or salvage yard, here are some fantastic ideas to breathe new life into these forgotten frames:
- Picture Frame Collage: Remove the glass panes and attach your favorite photos behind each frame section. Hang them on a wall for a unique picture frame collage that adds a personal touch to any room.
- Decorative Room Divider: Connect multiple old windows together with hinges to create a charming room divider. You can leave the glass intact for a more transparent look or replace it with frosted or colored glass for added privacy.
- Garden Greenhouse: Calling all those with a green thumb! Turn a larger window frame into a mini greenhouse for your indoor plants or seedlings. Lean it against a sunny wall or suspend it from the ceiling with ropes for a whimsical garden-inspired display.
- Wall Art Display: Paint the frames in coordinating colors and hang them on a wall in a clustered arrangement. Use the frame openings to display artwork, prints, or decorative fabric for an eye-catching gallery wall.
- Shadow Box Shelves: Remove the glass and add shelves inside the frame to create unique shadow box shelves. Display small trinkets, succulents, or decorative items inside each cubby for a one-of-a-kind wall display.
- Jewelry Organizer: Attach hooks or knobs to the bottom edge of the frame and hang it on a wall to create a stylish jewelry organizer. Add chicken wire to the frame openings to hang necklaces, bracelets, and earrings for easy access and a decorative touch.
- Message Board: Replace the glass with a chalkboard or corkboard and use it to write messages or family schedules. You could also paint the glass panes with chalkboard paint for a command center.
- Pot Rack: Hang a sturdy old window frame from the ceiling and attach hooks along the bottom edge to create a unique pot rack for your kitchen. Not only does it add storage space, but it also adds a rustic-chic vibe to your culinary space. This would be an awesome focal point for a kitchen island.
- Headboard: Mount a large window frame horizontally above your bed to create a charming headboard. You can leave it as is for a vintage look or paint it to match your bedroom decor for a more cohesive style.
These are just a few old window projects to get your creative juices flowing! I’m sharing even more ideas below with some photo examples! With a little imagination and some basic DIY skills, the possibilities for repurposing old windows are endless.
Where can I find old window frames?
This is the tricky part! Since these projects usually keep the vintage, weathered vibe, it’s hard to find “new” old window frames. But, if you know where to look, you can find some real gems!
I used to love going “alley-cating” when I lived in San Diego years ago. So many people simply throw out some of the best “junk” during renovations and decluttering. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure!
Here are some other places to find old windows:
- Facebook Marketplace or CraigsList
- Antique stores, thrift stores, or flea markets
- Garage sales, yard sales, or estate sales
- Salvage yards
- Curbside trash
While finding a gem on the curb is always exciting, be courteous when sifting through someone’s “trash”. Asking permission might be best in some neighborhoods.
This old windows ideas article contains affiliate links, but nothing that I wouldn’t wholeheartedly recommend anyway! Read my full disclosure here.
How to prepare old windows for a project
Before using your old window frame, it’s a good idea to clean it up and strip away any old paint or gunk.
Strip away the gunk.
It’s likely that your old frame has many years of repainting tacked on. Use a metal scraper to remove every layer of paint as best you can. Mineral spirits or Krud Kutter may also be handy here!
If your window frame still has glass panes, decide if they will be utilized in the project or need to be removed. Be extremely careful when removing old glass, especially if some of the window panes are already broken or shattered.
Clean it up.
Next, dust away any loose paint chips and clean up the glass with a window cleaner. Removing the grime and dust will help the paint adhere to the frame.
Make repairs.
Take the time to re-enforce any broken pieces of wood or window hardware. Fill areas with wood filler as needed.
Paint or stain the project.
Sand down the wooden areas until they are smooth and all of the old paint has been removed. Wipe down the areas with a dust cloth to remove sanding residue.
Paint or stain your frame and allow it to dry completely before displaying. Then, continue with the rest of your project.
Add hooks for hanging keys, twine, and clothespins for displaying photos, or display on the wall or mantle (or however you decide to reuse your old window)!
Supplies to clean and prepare old windows
Depending on your project, here are some items that might be helpful!
- mineral spirits or KrudKutter
- window cleaner
- microfiber cloths
- razor blade
- wood filler
- sandpaper blocks
- paint brush
- gloves
- painter’s tape
Old Window Decor Ideas
Hang a wreath on the old window
Make a farmhouse wreath like this and simply hang it on the vintage window!
DIY Joy Sign With Wreath On Vintage Window
When it comes time to decorate for Christmas, you can add letters or designs to your vintage window with contact paper or vinyl. I used the wreath to be the "O" in the word JOY for this fun Christmas decoration.
Hang a simple flower wreath on the window
Make a simple floral wreath and hang it on the front of the window and put it on your wall.
Use the window frame on the front of shelves for a door
This shelf is so much fun! She added a vintage window to the front of the shelves, which acts as a door.
Hang old window frame on the wall
Simply adding the wood frame to your wall and putting a wreath on it like this is a great way to use old windows!
Make a wreath with window frame
Turn your window frame into a wreath! She actually built the window frame for this wreath - but you could totally use a vintage one too!
Make a window table
This DIY tutorial explains how to make a window table for the rustic look for practically nothing. Great furniture idea for the repurposed shabby chic look.
Add flowers with decoupage and hang it on the wall
Use beautiful decoupage paper with a cottagecore feel to make a pretty statement piece of art for your home with this old window wall decor.
Simple add to to your wall and hang a little banner on it
With or without the glass, old windows are such beauties and I love the character they add to a home!
Vintage window with photo transfer (and hooks for a coat rack)
This awesome coat rack started out as a vintage window – but with a little paint and a photo transfer to glass, it got a whole new life!
Turn a window into a vintage mirror
I love how the window-mirror turned out with it's imperfect finish that brings out the original wavy glass and the way it catches the light in our north-facing living room.
Make a little greenhouse cold frame from old windows
Check out these plans for an easy-to-make cold frame from old windows and how to keep your cold frame warm during winter.
Turn vintage windows into a headboard
How cool is this DIY antique window headboard?!
Make a picture frame with old window
This DIY tutorial turns a cast off window and an engineering print sized family picture into a repurposed, rustic old window photo frame.
Make a mirror from vintage window
You won't believe how simple it was to make these GORGEOUS Vintage Window Mirrors from a couple of old windows!
Paint a design on the old window
She painted a HAPPY HOUR sign on the window and added a hook for a bottle opener and a shelf to hold a cocktail caddy. You can download this free sign template to make your own.
Use antique windows to make a bookshelf
Learn how to make a bookshelf from old antique windows! I love how it’s deep & can fit some lovely collections like my mason jars, glass insulators, books, & more.
Add a quote to an old window
I love finding old wood windows because you can use them in so many different ways. Add an inspirational quote like this to turn it into art.
Hang it on the wall
Not sure what to do with your old windows? Simply hanging on the wall as art is simple but it works!
Make a bathroom storage cabinet
They needed some extra storage in our tiny upstairs bathroom & the space above the toilet was being wasted. They had a couple of old windows lying around so the idea of making a DIY bathroom cabinet out of an antique window became a reality.
Add hooks to the bottom of your old windows
It is great to take something old and turn it into something useful and decorative. Just add hooks to the bottom and use it as a rack.
Make a herb planter with old window
Upcycle a discarded old window into an attractive garden feature of a wonderful window herb planter.
With a little creativity and elbow grease, old windows can be repurposed into stunning decorations that add character and charm to your home. Which project will you tackle first?
