7 Creative DIY Projects Using Old Interior Doors

When you think of repurposing old items, you probably don't think about your interior doors. You might consider repurposing the hardware from the door, but the entire door itself? What could you possibly make using an old door? Actually, a lot of things!

Interior doors are quite versatile and can be made into a variety of fun projects like a picture frame or a bookshelf. To help get the creative juices flowing, here are seven unique DIY projects using old interior doors.

A Large-Scale Multi-Photo Frame

Have you been looking for an eye-catching way to display photos of your wedding, kids, and pets? Use a door with windows, like a French door. That way, you can use the windows as picture frames.

Get a little artsy. Use black and white photos and paint the door white for a modern art museum look. Or you can distress the door and use a mix of color and black and white photos to create a more country home feel to the project. Add a few coat hooks to the bottom and you have a functional piece of décor for your entryway.

You can also stand this picture frame up in a corner or against a wall to create a different look. If you don't want to add pictures, but still like the idea, you can use mirrors instead of photos in the openings.

A Safe and Affordable Baby Gate

Don't spend money on a new baby gate from the store when you could create one from an old interior door.

You can cut just about any door in half and add a hinge to it to create a beautiful (and safe) baby gate. And with a huge variety of door styles out there, you can make it your own and completely unique. It can also be used for a puppy or kitten gate.

A One-Of-A-Kind Bookshelf

There are several styles of bookshelves you can create using an old interior door. One of our favorites includes cutting out the horizontal panels and using them as shelves. This modern look allows light to travel through the holes created for each shelf, making the piece feel less obtrusive in the room.

If you don't have a lot of space or there's an unused corner of your home that could be utilized, split the door vertically in half and create a corner bookshelf like the one pictured below.

A Simple and Beautiful Headboard

Searching for an affordable headboard that matches your bedroom decor can be difficult. An old interior door may need sanding and painting, depending on the look you're going for, but you shouldn't need much more than that. If you'd like, add some crown molding to the top for a more formal look.

You could also create a unique headboard using old cabinet doors from the Twin Cities Habitat ReStore. It's a great way to repurpose something you wouldn't otherwise use.

Tables of All Kinds

If you prefer the look of one-of-a-kind furniture, there's nothing more unique than creating tables from old doors. Whether it's a coffee table, side tables, desk, or patio table, you can make this piece specific to your style.

Make a long desk or dining room table by sanding the door down and removing the hardware. Add a long piece of glass over the desk or table to give it a smooth surface and to protect it from spills.

Or, make a hanging table for your porch! Attach the door to the ceiling of your porch with a bit of rope. You'll need to put two holes in both the top and bottom of the door for the rope.

A Swaying Porch Swing

Repurpose two old doors to create this beautiful porch swing. Drill some holes and secure the swing to the bottom of your awning. Then, add armrests, a seat cushion, and some pillows.

A Small Outdoor Shed

You'll need four doors for this one, and the shed will be small. However, it will be a great place to keep items that need to be reached easily and quickly, like gardening and lawn care tools. You can even add shelves to the shed for more storage.

These are only a handful of the many projects you can create with old doors. So, the next time you update your house, think twice before trashing those interior doors. They could turn into something truly beautiful.

If you don’t have access to an old door, but would still like to take on any of these projects, stop by one of our ReStore locations! We always have a rotating selection of doors that are perfect for a DIY project.