Craft Ideas With Old Windows

Making It All Clear Again

Old windows are a never ending supply. Everyone has one or more in their shed, garage or attic, gathering dust. You may even have more, if your home upgrades include double paned windows with less heat transfer to the outdoors.

Old windows can be repurposed in various creative ways to add character and functionality to your space. Here are some craft ideas for using old windows:

1. **Picture Frame:** Use the window panes as separate frames for photos or artwork. You can add a backing and insert photos or illustrations behind each pane.

2. **Chalkboard:** Convert a window into a chalkboard by painting the panes with chalkboard paint. This is useful for menus, grocery lists, or as a message board.

3. **Mirror:** Replace the glass panes with mirrors to create a decorative wall piece that adds light and space to a room.

4. **Headboard:** Use a large window frame as a headboard for your bed. It can bring a rustic or vintage charm to your bedroom.

5. **Wall Art:** Add decorative paper, fabric, or dried flowers behind each pane to create a unique piece of wall art.

6. **Garden Trellis:** Use a sturdy window frame as a trellis in your garden. It's perfect for climbing plants and flowers.

7. **Room Divider:** Combine several windows to create a unique and decorative room divider, perfect for open spaces.

8. **Hanging Art Display:** Use the window frame to hang small pieces of artwork, notes, or inspirational quotes, using clips or string.

9. **Table Top:** Place a window with glass over a wooden frame to create a unique coffee table or side table, ideal for displaying collectibles or photos underneath.

10. **Planter Box:** Attach small plant pots or hooks to the frame and use it as a vertical garden indoors or on a patio.

Remember to clean and sand down old windows to ensure they're safe for handling, especially if you're using them indoors or near food or children. Old windows can be repurposed in various creative ways to add character and functionality to your space. Here are some craft ideas for using old windows:

1. **Picture Frame:** Use the window panes as separate frames for photos or artwork. You can add a backing and insert photos or illustrations behind each pane.

2. **Chalkboard:** Convert a window into a chalkboard by painting the panes with chalkboard paint. This is useful for menus, grocery lists, or as a message board.

3. **Mirror:** Replace the glass panes with mirrors to create a decorative wall piece that adds light and space to a room.

4. **Headboard:** Use a large window frame as a headboard for your bed. It can bring a rustic or vintage charm to your bedroom.

5. **Wall Art:** Add decorative paper, fabric, or dried flowers behind each pane to create a unique piece of wall art.

6. **Garden Trellis:** Use a sturdy window frame as a trellis in your garden. It's perfect for climbing plants and flowers.

7. **Room Divider:** Combine several windows to create a unique and decorative room divider, perfect for open spaces.

8. **Hanging Art Display:** Use the window frame to hang small pieces of artwork, notes, or inspirational quotes, using clips or string.

9. **Table Top:** Place a window with glass over a wooden frame to create a unique coffee table or side table, ideal for displaying collectibles or photos underneath.

10. **Planter Box:** Attach small plant pots or hooks to the frame and use it as a vertical garden indoors or on a patio.

Remember to clean and sand down old windows to ensure they're safe for handling, especially if you're using them indoors or near food or children. Here are some creative craft ideas for repurposing old windows:

**Decorative Projects:**
- **Jewelry Organizer:** Add hooks, knobs, or wire mesh to create a hanging jewelry display
- **Photo Display:** Attach wire or string across the frame to clip photos with mini clothespins
- **Stained Glass Effect:** Use glass paint or tissue paper to create faux stained glass designs
- **Window Greenhouse:** Build a small greenhouse box for herbs or succulents
- **Memo Board:** Add chicken wire or fabric backing for a bulletin board

**Functional Items:**
- **Cabinet Door:** Convert a window into a cabinet door for kitchen or bathroom storage
- **Serving Tray:** Add handles and a bottom to create a unique serving tray
- **Coat Rack:** Mount horizontally and add hooks underneath for a rustic coat rack
- **Pot Rack:** Hang from the ceiling and add hooks for kitchen pots and pans
- **Wedding Seating Chart:** Write guest names on the glass panes with markers

**Seasonal Crafts:**
- **Holiday Decorations:** Paint seasonal scenes or add vinyl decals for different holidays
- **Wreath Display:** Use as a backdrop for seasonal wreaths
- **Light Display:** String lights behind the window for ambient lighting

**Outdoor Uses:**
- **Cold Frame:** Create a mini greenhouse for starting seedlings
- **Garden Art:** Paint and display in your garden as decorative elements
- **Privacy Screen:** Group several windows together for an outdoor privacy screen

Always check for lead paint on older windows and ensure the glass is secure before crafting.

So where does that leave you? Here are some ways to use old windows in crafts that you may not have thought about.