The DIY and upcycling movements are going strong as we head into the start of the new decade, and it’s no wonder. The millennial generation is, unfortunately, living with less money than their parents had, and they don’t have time to waste shopping for new furniture.
But that’s not the only thing driving the upcycling trend. Young people are increasingly concerned about the source of their purchases. They don’t want to support unethical business practices, greedy corporations, or exploitative systems. So whenever possible, they prefer to support ethical brands — or better yet, no brand at all.
Then, of course, there’s the little matter of the state of the planet. In case you haven’t heard, people like Bill Nye to Greta Thunberg to Pope Francis express that the Planet Earth isn’t in a good place right now. There is a ton of waste, with materials being thrown away that is hard on the planet and animal life. Sadly, there’s just not a whole lot of major changes that we can accomplish as individuals. However, we can make a difference in small ways. One of those is shopping secondhand and wasting fewer resources.
A great idea is to consider junk that you never thought about repurposing — like old, battered windows.
Wreaths are pretty decorations for walls and doors, but they need a bit of background to look their best. Why not mount one on a picture frame? It looks just as nice, sometimes even better.
Looking for a cute, attractive way to leave your family notes? Why not make a DIY chalkboard out of an old window! It’s easier than you think. You’ll just need some chalkboard paint, which you can find at most hardware stores.
This miniature greenhouse is a perfect way to keep your garden plants protected against animals and weather. Greenhouses help protect plants like tomatoes, which can be sensitive to their environment.
That rustic shabby chic look is in, which is good news for anyone with an old window! Use one in place of a picture frame to hang art on the wall, like this beautiful nautically-themed fireplace display.
It’s easier than you might think to make a mirror out of an old window. Depending on the size, you may need more glass panes, but there is a lot of room for creativity with that.
Do you need somewhere to keep your bathroom items but want it to look nice, too? How about turning an old window into one of these unique and eye-catching bathroom cabinets? Your shampoo bottles and toilet paper have never looked so good.
They say that part of design entails dividing up space, and old windows can accomplish that! They can be made into this chic moveable wall, which divides up a large room without losing the openness when you want it.
Do you like the idea of making an old window into a chalkboard but want to take it one step further? Try this adorable calendar, which is a super-easy way to write down what you need to do that day. Plus, you’ll get a couple of extra spots for any notes you have.
If you have a lot of jewelry, you might need more organization power than the little jewelry trees you find at the store. How about repurposing an old window into this creative and roomy jewelry organizer?
Do you have a bunch of old wine corks that you’ve been saving for your next DIY project? Well, here it is — your very own corkboard. You need one old window, a glue gun, and a lot of wine corks.
If you just want a way to decorate, it’s easier than you think. All you need is some decorative paper or fabric, tape, and a ruler. It’s a great way to be creative for cheap.
Have you ever looked for a store-bought headboard? They’re surprisingly expensive. Plenty of people prefer to DIY their headboards out of any old wood they find, including these rustic windows.
There’s nothing like a curio cabinet, which, as the name implies, is meant to display your curiosities — such as figurines, pictures, or other pretty knick-knacks. Instead of buying a new one, why not repurpose some old windows into one that’s a “curio” in its own right?
If you have a busy family life, you might find it challenging to keep all your appointments and activities organized. Lots of families enjoy using command centers like this one, making sure everyone is on the same page!
There’s nothing like repurposing stuff into, well…other stuff! This gorgeous garden wall was made from an upcycled window. It’s only decorative, but there’s something to be said for making things more beautiful.
Do you have a fireplace at home that you want to enjoy without getting overheated? You could buy a new fire screen — or you could make our own from an old window, like this unique one here.
Don’t think that you have to make a tiny greenhouse if it doesn’t supply the needs of your plants! You can make a big one like this. Of course, you’ll need more windows.
You can make a beautiful kitchen island without shelling out a lot of money for a huge renovation. This one takes some construction know-how, but it’s a great way to make your kitchen more attractive AND reuse old windows.
Picture walls are a great focal point for any living room, but who said you had to use actual picture frames? Instead, use an old window for an eye-catching take on a regular family picture.
Who knew that you could make a gorgeous new coffee table using an old window? It’s probably easier than you think. Glass top tables are always in style.
Are you an avid baker or cook? Why not keep your measurements in a place that’s easy to reference and doubles as cute wall art? While you’re at it, switch the picture frame for an upcycled window.
It’s easy to use old windows to make beautiful holiday decorations. It doesn’t even take a lot of time or money. All you need are a few simple materials and a bit of creativity and voila, you’re ready for the festivities.
A shadow box is a creative way to put up a decorative display full of collections or things of personal interest. You can choose pictures, knick-knacks, heirlooms, or pieces of art — it’s all up to your imagination.
Room dividers are a beautiful way to visually split up space — even if you’re not actually separating a room in two. Just look at this hanging room divider made from an old window. It organizes the room without encroaching on the open design.
It’s easier to make stained glass than you might think. There are dozens of tutorials online to show you how. All that remains is to get the materials and let your creativity take off.
Are you looking for a beautiful way to grow your herbs or flowers? Why not make a window box planter…out of an old window? It’s decorative, organized, and lovely. And of course, it’s the perfect place to grow plants.
Who said windows have to remain as windows? You can easily turn them into a beautiful serving tray for your next dinner party. Just make sure it has a couple of handles for easy gripping — and if it doesn’t, you’ll find those at a local hardware store.
Do you want a beautiful and fun project to do with your kids on a rainy day? Heck, you can even do this all on your own! This old box window is the perfect display case for this dainty fairy garden.
If you’re looking for a way to beautify your yard, why not put together this lovely garden house? It’s largely decorative, but you can also use it to display whatever you want, including holiday decorations, planters, and more.
31. Use one instead of a frame for a family portrait
There’s nothing like an oversized family portrait to put over a fireplace or a couch. Using a window as a frame adds some texture and interest for a unique look.
One thing you never realized until you had your own place — furniture is really expensive! More and more people are buying secondhand or even better, upcycling into beautiful statement pieces like this.
Sometimes, decorating can be as simple as just adding a bit of interest to a blank space. This person chose to put a slightly more intricate window over an existing one, giving it a farmhouse shabby chic vibe.
Sure, you could buy a regular old towel rack from Amazon or Walmart, but why? Instead, you can get a unique one like this for a fraction of the cost. Who doesn’t love being unique on a dime?
You can set up a beautiful display with old windows by painting or arranging them on a desk or against a wall. It seems pretty simple, but with a little creativity, it can become a beautiful focal point in any room.
If you have an eye for decorating, old windows are a great, versatile building piece. You can use them to frame art or any kind of other display. All you have to do is consider the possibilities!
How about putting that old window frame above the fireplace next Christmas to provide some contrast for your holiday decorations? This person used it to hold a wreath as well as nutcrackers and Santa figurines.
38. Combine one with shutters for a focal point on an empty wall
Old windows are great on their own, but you can set up a beautiful display if you combine them with colorful shutters. They can be repainted in a short time, with you choosing whatever color you prefer!
Pots and pans are clunky and take up a lot of storage space. Lots of people prefer to hang them from the ceiling so they’re out of the way but always within easy reach. This hanging pot holder is made from an upcycled window.
You don’t even have to frame pictures to display them on an upcycled window. You can just grab some string or ribbon and use clothespins to— especially vintage ones for this throwback look.
Are you a map lover? You’re not alone! Many people love displaying maps in their home, but it’s hard to find a picture frame big enough to hold them. An old window is perfect since it lets you see the entire map.
If you’ve been looking for the perfect Advent calendar for the coming holidays, why not make a beautifully unique one that you’ll always treasure? An old window is a perfect building block, just like this one, which uses sheet music for the background.
Like maps, quilts can be tricky to mount on the wall. Their sheer size makes them a challenge. An old window is great for displaying a quilt in a rustic homestead. This is perfect for a living room or bedroom.
You don’t have to limit yourself to coffee tables! Why not make this beautiful side table to add an extra piece of furniture to your living room without putting any strain on your wallet?
If you’re planning a wedding and need to display a seating chart, ditch the poster board and use this upcycled window design instead. Then grab someone with nice handwriting or print the seating chart on paper if you prefer.
This decorator didn’t even put pictures in these old windows, preferring an ultra-simple look. If you prefer a rustic design and understated art pieces, this could be a beautiful way to decorate any room.
Sometimes, there’s never enough storage space in the bathroom. If you need a simple way to hang your towels, toiletries, or other items, use several old windows and mount them on top of one another.
Do you want your very own luxurious glass shower? If you’re willing to take on a bigger renovation project, try this one on for size. You can make a beautiful upcycled glass shower with these old windows.
It takes just a couple of simple hanging flower baskets and an old window to make a beautiful garden decoration. You can paint it if preferred, although this decorator used it as is.
Do you want to make a motivational board or kitchen decoration to welcome people to your home? You need a base! An old window works perfectly and you can repurpose it in any design you like.
If you want to increase your storage space and make a decorative wall display for your room, an old window can be upcycled into this beautiful clothes hanger. It’s also ideal for hats, belts, scarves, or anything else you like.
Everyone needs a convenient spot to put their keys when they get home! This decorative key holder is made from, you guessed it, an upcycled window. The detail on the glass is just beautiful.
Do you want a perfect way to keep all your mementos on display — and in one place? If you’ve got a creative side that loves design projects of the scrapbook variety, you’ll enjoy this easy window display.
These gorgeous raised beds are covered by repurposed windows. It’s an aesthetic and attractive way to keep your garden safe, especially if you have lots of hungry critters in your area.
Room screens are a quick and beautiful way to divide space but they’re not exactly cheap. This beautiful DIY version uses several old windows combined with mirrors and vintage family photos to achieve the same effect.
The DIY and upcycling movements are going strong as we head into the start of the new decade, and it’s no wonder. The millennial generation is, unfortunately, living with less money than their parents had, and they don’t have time to waste shopping for new furniture.
But that’s not the only thing driving the upcycling trend. Young people are increasingly concerned about the source of their purchases. They don’t want to support unethical business practices, greedy corporations, or exploitative systems. So whenever possible, they prefer to support ethical brands — or better yet, no brand at all.
Then, of course, there’s the little matter of the state of the planet. In case you haven’t heard, people like Bill Nye to Greta Thunberg to Pope Francis express that the Planet Earth isn’t in a good place right now. There is a ton of waste, with materials being thrown away that is hard on the planet and animal life. Sadly, there’s just not a whole lot of major changes that we can accomplish as individuals. However, we can make a difference in small ways. One of those is shopping secondhand and wasting fewer resources.
A great idea is to consider junk that you never thought about repurposing — like old, battered windows.
