12+ Ideas For Old Doors and Windows in the Garden

Reusing Old Doors and Windows

Doors and windows too leaky and creaky to be useful? Give them a new life in the garden.

Whether you like them rustic or painted, there are plenty of ways to use them as structures and art.

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.

This next one is from the book, Upcycling Outdoors by Max McMurdo.

The complete tutorial for making this mini potting shed from doors is here.

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

Bold green door: this one was in a garden nursery:

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 to look like an open door. Next is the tiny version for my miniature garden:

Optical Illusion Art for Miniature Garden

Here’s a mirror on a brick patio wall:

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

This was created by Alex Mitchell, author of the book, Gardening on a Shoestring.

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.

17. Paint It

I found this old farm door at the side of the road.

See the Door Makeover Here

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?

Here’s an industrial convex mirror hanging on the side of a garage. I love these!

This shares how to safely use mirrors in the garden plus my tip for mirrors that can withstand the weather.

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛