Repurpose a Door

There are numerous ways to repurpose a door. We've seen it done countless times. Regardless of this fact, I never grow tired of seeing them reused - even if in similar, repurposed ways.  This is probably because each door is unique and brings "new" character to any space, helping to define an intended style.

TABLES

Doors repurposed as coffeetables.

You can repurpose a door as a coffeetable which is one of my favorites!  Using old doors as any type of table top is super.  A large dining table looks especially great when crafted from a chunky old barn door. Narrower antique doors are ideal for console and accent tables. You can simply create legs with modified saw-horses for a utilitarian rustic look.

A rustic door creates a  console table top.  I love that the old hardware is intact.
This particular style table leg assembly is available at Ikea.
How cool are those cases beneath the table?

Ikea supplies numerous tresles (similar to saw-horses) and other various table legs which are simple to attach.  Those shown here are just a few of the many options available. 

WALL ART

Do you need some clever wall art? Repurpose a door as a unique focal on a wall. 

Use chalkboard paint on the inset panels or cover them with cork to create a
funky-chic day planner to accompany an equally chic industrial desk!

Wall art as a floating headboard.
A mirror replaces the original window glass of this vintage door.

HEADBOARDS

They look especially neat as headboards too. 

 I've seen this done in so many ways and again, it always looks cool. 

The imperfectly "matched" set of doors in this space provides a relaxed, casual look.
  

FOCAL FEATURES

Of course the simplest way to repurpose a door is to display it in a room as an architectural feature.
 Simply lean it up against a wall and enjoy!

A corner element in a rustic-chic bathroom.
Use this idea to build in a corner cupboard for extra storage in small spaces.

Stained glass, brass hardware, solid wood = Perfection!

My sister and brother-in-law decided to keep the front door from their previous residence for use at their new home.  It has been in storage in their garage for the past several years.  I recently suggested they bring it inside to enjoy until plans are made to get it fitted to their existing front entry.  It's nice to appreciate the beauty of this door once again - now flanking a chaise in their living room.

Rustic Good Looks!  A door repurposed as an architectural element.

Nothing is better than finding an old door along the side of the road, such as the case with this door.  My mother saw it out for trash and immediately called me to rescue it.  Regardless of the rainstorm occurring at the time, I jumped in my truck and went on the treasure hunt.  I wasn't disappointed.  A little mineral oil and it was good to go.  I had plans to make this a table but seeing as I haven't gotten around to that yet, I decided to display it in my family room.

It fits neatly in an odd little alcove (a trouble spot) for this room which will eventually be built-in shelves.
It provides a certain balance to the barn beam console and steamer trunk .

Did you repurpose a door in a clever way?  I'd love to hear about it!

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Roadside Reclaimation

While driving home from running errands on Tuesday I happened upon a "roadside-furniture castaway". I did a quick drive around the block and pulled over to give it further inspection. I figured I would take it home as a project if it wasn't "too far gone".

A mobile, kitchen island with a broken/missing door, broken wheels, a banged up front mesh door insert and general grubby-greasiness. YUCK!

I plopped it into the bed of my truck and off I went, only 2 minutes from home, with a new project! (don't I have enough going on already?)

I immediately began working on it and cleaning it up (which took quite awhile).

I removed and cleaned all the hardware. I figured I could always purchase new hardware pending how well the current pieces cleaned up.

I removed the wheels and decided not to replace them with newer, functioning wheels, but to rather let it sit as a stationary island piece.

A new wire screen insert

The damaged door insert was removed and I began taking it apart to get the old damaged screen material removed. I pried off the wooden framework holding the screen in place (carefully), got the screen out and then cut a piece of mesh wire (like chicken wire, left over from my holiday topiary projects) to size and inserted it.  I got out the hot glue gun and ran a bead of it one side at a time, pressing the removed wood pieces back into place and sandwiching the new "screen" between. That came out rather well.

Wood "buttons" added where they were missing

A bunch of wooden plugs/buttons were missing so I bought a bag of them at the hardware store and glued them into place.

Various sized corks (available at hardware stores) create great plugs for wood furniture!

Where the second door went was an upper and lower bushing for the pin hinge. I popped out the bushing and was left with a hole. How to finish it off? Ahhh, a small cork will fit in just fine. I cut a small amount off so it would sit flush, added a bit of Elmer's wood glue and pushed it into place. Perfect!

Well, here it is, sitting in my kitchen. I'm probably going to sell it.  However, if I do decide to keep it, it will most likely get a black wash, distressed finish as the birch wood-tone is too light for the other woods in my kitchen.

Does it look O.K. with one door?  I think it sorta looks like it was meant to be. I like how the upper shelf is slatted. The grooves between each slat are perfect for bottles.

 All in all, a quick "up-do" that took about three hours and turned out quite well.

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A Rainy Day Door

Yesterday my mother called to tell me that she saw a neat, vintage door sitting out for trash. Unfortunately it was almost dark out and was raining and had been raining steadily all day. I thought I'd wait until the next morning to check it out. If it's gone, oh well, my loss. Well, that mindset didn't last long. My curiosity got the best of me and I kept thinking "what if it was REALLY COOL and I missed out on it?"

So, I quickly got myself pulled together, headed out the door and was driving through a steady rain, hoping to find the door before dark. Sure enough, there is was. I was elated when I pulled up and saw it. It was perfect! Exactly what I have been seeking for the past few months at the local antique shop. Had this been there, I would have purchased it.

As much as I talk about others finding great items out for trash, it's nice that I got to partake of somebody's discard for a change. Well, thanks to my mom and her watchful eye actually.

Great Hardware

So I'm thinking of repurposing it as a console table. Vintage table legs or banister rungs may make up the legs, or even old galvanized or other type of tube pipe for an industrial look that relates to the old hardware on the door. However I was even considering attaching it to the wall via its hinges and suspending the opposite side with old, rusty chain in the manner of a drawbridge for a castle. A suspended table. Sounds like a neat project. We'll see how this ends up.

Perfect Rusty Patina

Right now it is drying nicely in my basement with the dehumidifier, furnace heat and a fan upon it.  Stay-tuned to see what becomes of my rainy day door.

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Vintage Stools and Chairs Add Charm and Character

Do you have a thing for old chairs? What about old, wooden stools? These relatively inexpensive pieces could be just the thing you need to add a little interest to your room. Think of them as conversation pieces. My mother has a real knack for finding them and incorporating them into her home as seen below.

I love the size, style and rustic appeal.

The perfect, coordinating piece for this bedding set.

A pop of red, this little chair adds charm and becomes a display top.

If you enjoy using pieces such as this, visit my page on vintage stools & chairs.

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