3 Crafty Ideas for Old Windows

11 by Becky Striepe on November 5, 2010

room divider made from hanging windows

So, maybe you or a neighbor finally ditched those drafty old windows for more energy-efficient ones. What are you going to do with the old ones? There are lots of fun, crafty ways to give those windows a whole new life rather than sending them to the dump!

Just hang it

Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best one. Suspend your old window from a couple of short chains on the front porch or inside as a room divider. It adds interest and even gives a little bit more privacy. If you're feeling sassy, you can paint the frame or use glass paint on the panes to turn it into a hanging art piece.

greenhouse built from salvaged windows

Build a greenhouse

You can create something like in the photo above with some salvaged wood, old windows, and some ingenuity. If sorting a design out on your own isn't your thing, check out this awesome tutorial from Instructables on building a window greenhouse.

photographs framed in a an old window

Frame it up

Those panes of glass are perfect for mounting photos. You can put photos in all of the frames, leave some empty, or mount pretty paper or pressed flowers. So many possibilities! Either mount using a clear spray adhesive or use cardboard and tiny nails to create a backing.

Have you guys found any creative ways to reuse old windows? Share your ideas in the comments!

Image Credits:
Room Divider. Creative Commons photo by eviloars
Greenhouse. Creative Commons photo by oviddawen
Framed Art: Creative Commons photo by mtsofan

http://www.prestigeconservatoryblinds.co.uk Andy Hughes

Great idea, have you got any windows left in your house? Most of them look like they’re in your greenhouse! lol
http://www.prestigeconservatoryblinds.co.uk Andy Hughes

Did you know, you can also re-use old window frames as an eclectic style picture frame. Fix the frame to a piece of board or backing fabric and often the shapes make great picture frames. Only really works on wooden frames though and ones with smaller squares. Still recycling though!
jackie Hampton

Great idea. Wish I knew someone who was remodeling.

Becky Striepe

Once I started being on the lookout, I began noticing old windows all over the place! You might also be able to find them on freecycle or Craigslist, if you want to try any of these projects.

http://www.growingherbsforbeginners.com Rhonda Daniels

Wow, cool picture frame!
The window cold frames are nice too- we love them for seed starting and hardening off seedlings in Spring!
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http://www.18upclub.com คลิปหลุดทางบ้าน

Thank you very much! This works perfectly for my site, and I’ve made a few small changes that reflect it well.
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http://www.telugucinemastills.com/s/oosaravelli.html oosaravelli

now it’s the time for me to take out the old ones and remake them as photo frames. Thanks for the tip.
http://rockitcreations.com Sherry

I want to make a head board out of old windows. I have four small ones and am trying to think of a way to make it look good!

Becky Striepe

What a cool idea, Sherry! My only concern with old windows is that thin glass so close to your head. I wonder if it would be safer to remove the glass? Once that’s done, you could paint them or decoupage them and mount them on the wall behind the bed, maybe? I bet that would be super lovely! If you had enough to extend beyond the ends of your bed, you could even maybe mount little shelves on them to use as bedside tables! Don’t you just love old windows?