I love the look of salvaged doors and windows in the garden, especially when something in the junk pile is given a new life. The ideas here come from garden tours and a few are from my own garden. I’ll show you ideas for repurposing thrifted doors and windows plus some others including using stained-glass windows outdoors and mirrored window frames.
If you would like more ideas for garden arbors, trellises, obelisks, and other structures, I’ve got a photo gallery here. Plus, see the window greenhouse I made here (free instructions).
I may receive a commission if you purchase something mentioned in a link on this post for sites including Amazon.com. Other links may go to websites where I have been paid to write a blog or article. See the entire disclosure here.
Reusing Old Doors and Windows
When a door doesn’t fit a frame or an old window is not keeping the cold from creeping into the house, outside they go! Whether you like them rustic or painted perfect white, there are zillions of uses for doors and windows in the garden.
Here’s some ideas to get you started.
1. Old doors converted into garden arbor
This door arbor was created by Empress of Dirt reader Dawn and her husband. I think it’s particularly striking with the contrast of the painted doors and stained wooden top rails.
2. Custom garden gate doors with decorative metal inserts
This obviously is not a junk find, but it’s a neat idea for defining different areas of the garden where privacy and security are not an issue. Note to self: always make these openings wide enough to fit any standard equipment you may need later. You can find fence inserts here on Amazon.
Related: Decorate a Fence with Faux Windows and Doors.
3. Picture frame artist easel
This idea started popping up in gardens a few years ago: take and old picture frame or window (without glass), a wooden easel, and create an art scene. This one has a floral painting on it but some use the see-through area to show the garden as the art.
Black Door with Mirror
4. Stained glass windows in the garden
Related: Creative Garden Gate Ideas.
This is another smart idea for defining different spaces in the garden plus adding some color and interest.
5. Mirrored windows in the garden
If a shed doesn’t have a window, create one with an old window frame and/or some mirrors. Here they’ve added shutters and a flower pot window box.
There’s more on using mirrors in the garden here.
Here I created an optical illustion garden mirror which is neither a repurposed door or window but still fits the theme. I think.
6. Brightly painted window frame
Paint an old window and use it to add some interest to the garden. Easy!
7. Window frame planted with succulents
See the DIY Framed Succulents tutorial here.
Vertical succulent planters have become very popular in recent years. The top one uses a picture frame. The bottom one is made with a window frame.
8. Old window with frosted design
Broken window? No problem. The two remaining glass panes have an etched design to turn it into a garden art piece. You can buy etched window films ready made or make your own (link goes to my affiliate account at Amazon.com) .
9. Plain window on fence
Sometimes plain is best. This old window breaks up the monotony of the long wooden fence.
10. Faux Doors and Windows
I saw these ones on a garden tour. They’re so nicely done!
See more here: Faux Doors and Windows on a Fence.
Or collect a bunch and make a greenhouse:
11. Plain window with window box and garden art
Here I used a plain window and dressed it up with a watering can, a moon face, and a window box.
12. Old doors for garden gate
This was a favourite idea I saw on a garden tour. Using barn door hardware (you can get it here), they hung two old doors to mark the entrance to the garden. This style allows a nice wide entry point for getting equipment in and out, and the wood definitely adds old charm to an otherwise very modern looking garden.
13. Old door as focal point
This is a really simple way to hide an eyesore in the garden and create a focal point: put a door there. This one is from Empress of Dirt Facebook reader Susan.
14. Old window with shutters
This is from my garden. The window frame and shutters came from the garbage and thrift shop on a lucky day where the sizes matched perfectly.
15. Old doors on garden deck
I took this photo on one of my first garden tours. These old salvaged doors launched my own garden junk fever.
16. Bird-Inspired Repuposed Window Art
This piece was created by Barb Rosen of Our Fairfield Home and Garden. The free instructions are here. You can purchase prints of her bird paintings on sheet music here.
17. Paint It
I found this old farm door at the side of the road.
Sometimes it just takes a coat of paint in a pretty colour. Lean the door against a fence or wall and call it art. I do. Can you see me there?
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛
Empress of Dirt TV
Our yard is surrounded by chain link fencing. Just on the other side of the fence is my neighbor’s compost pile (not really, it’s just where he dumps EVERYTHING)and the spot where he throws the dog droppings. It is awful! I am going to use the ideas of doors to hide his mess from my eyes. Thanks for the inspiration!
That sounds challenging! I hope you find a good way to block out the undesirable view. 🙂
Beautiful
I too had to move and start from scratch only sandy soil. QI love what I have seen so far. You are my kind of gardener
love these ideas i will have to get some time to make some
I love old doors in the garden. I love the ones here. I’m planning to get one for my garden but I’m not sure what to hold it up with……can you help me?
I always either tether them to a wall, fence, or tree. Otherwise, I think you’d need footings in the ground for it to be secure.
This is the best hobby in the world. Even growing plants which gives no fruits and vegetables gives you very much joy.
I am making the 2 door arbor by myself! It is my 1st project. I have the doors and the 2x10s but I can’t figure out the measurement of the wood. Is there any way I can purchase the board sizes and instructions? Thank you.
Hi Ronda, I don’t have instructions available. Wish I did!
I love the barn door hardware idea but think I’d paint the doors with birds or stencil a poem about gardens.
I just loved the barn doors hardware to use old doors at the entrance to the garden. What a great idea! However the ones with the mirrors–beware! I put up a framed mirror on the fence but unfortunately didn’t think about the birds. Several birds whacked into the mirror before I thought it best to remove it.
Hi Eileen, I share your concern. I have an article about using mirrors safely in the garden here: http://empressofdirt.net/using-mirrors-in-the-garden/ It takes thought and care to use them and when in doubt, don’t.
Great ideas! Very, very pretty! You make me wish I were a better gardener! 😉 At least now, I can be a little bit inventive!
Hi Kim, lol – that’s right: we DIY gardeners make up for average gardens by using cool stuff to spruce it up. But don’t tell anyone!