10 Old Door DIY Ideas – Creative Ways to Repurpose Doors!

Do you have some old doors collecting dust in your garage? Don’t let them sit there and take up space! Instead, why not give them new life? Today I’m sharing some fun & creative ways to repurpose old doors. From stylish photo displays to one-of-a-kind countertops, I hope these 10 unique old door DIY projects will inspire you to get creative!

I have a thing for old doors. I’ve picked up a few at antique stores, and we’ve also had leftover doors from building and renovation projects that I couldn’t seem to let go of. The good thing? There are so many ways to use doors in fun DIY projects and I’ve enjoyed experimenting!

Basic old door preparation tips

Before you do any sort of project with an old door, there are some basic steps to prepare it for your project.

First, remove the door from its door frame, and remove any old hinges from the door. You can choose to remove the door knob too, however some old door knobs are gorgeous and can add a lot of character to your finished piece. Look over the door and ensure there aren’t any old nails, screws, or sharp splinters. If there are, carefully remove them.

Next, sand the door to remove any paint chips or rough wood. Make sure you’re wearing the proper gloves and mask while doing this.

Finally, clean your door with a degreasing cleaner. I like using Krud Kutter to get rid of any lingering dirt or grease.

If there are any holes, dents or scratches on the door that you want to repair, simply fill them with wood filler. Let the wood filler dry, and sand it down until its smooth. Now your door is ready to paint and turn into something new!

Make a photo display out of an old door – use eye hooks, twine & clothespins to hang pictures

Are you looking for a unique and creative way to display your favorite photos? Why not turn an old door into a stunning photo display? This DIY idea is simple, cost-effective, and a great way to repurpose an old item. All you need are some eye hooks, twine, and clothespins to hang your pictures. Attach some eye hooks to either side of the door. For my photo display, I made four rows so I installed 4 eye hooks on either side about 6 inches apart. String the twine across from one eye hook to the other, and clip your photos to the twine using the clothespins. The finished product is not only functional but also adds a touch of character to any room. It’s a great way to actually display your photos instead of keeping them on your phone!

Turn an old door into a message center with a chalkboard, baskets and clipboards

Have you ever thought about creating a command center in your home to keep you calendar, mail and notes all in one place? This is a fun idea! By upcycling a vintage door, you can create a message center complete with a chalkboard for notes and reminders, baskets for holding mail and papers, and clipboards for important documents. It’s a great way to keep your family organized and on track without breaking the bank. Plus, repurposing an old item that might end up in the trash otherwise is eco-friendly and adds a unique touch to your home decor. You can also add a few hooks like I’ve done here to hang bags and accessories, or even use the door as a coat rack in your entryway too! If you can find a solid wood door, it’s easy to attach everything with wood screws.

Tip: If you can’t find a small chalkboard to fit your door, you can simply use some chalkboard paint. Paint one panel or section of the door with the paint, and you have a custom chalkboard!

Create a plant stand from an old door – paint it, add a shelf and legs

Looking for a fun and creative way to upcycle an old door? Why not turn it into a plant stand? Not only will it give your plants a stylish new home, but it’ll also inject a pop of colour into your space. To get started, paint your door a bright colour. For my plant stand, I used two colours of spray paint to create an ombre effect and then I stenciled some leaves on top. Then, determine the height you’d like your display shelf to be (this will be based on the legs that you can find) and attach a couple of 2×6 pieces of lumber to the door with wood screws.

I placed one flush against the door, and then the other one sits on top at a 90 degree angle to create the shelf. Finally, add a couple of legs to the front bottom of the shelf by drilling some holes and using glue if needed. I found these table legs in the lumber section at Home Depot. Voila! Your new plant stand is ready to be filled with your favorite greenery. I like styling mine with some planters on the porch nearby, plus a couple smaller plants on the shelf.

Transform an old door into a laundry room countertop – use brackets to support it from the back

Looking for a unique way to add more counter space in your laundry room? Consider repurposing an old door into a countertop! By using brackets to support it from the back, you can easily create a sturdy surface that fits perfectly over your washer and dryer. Not only is this a great way to add functionality to your laundry room, but it’s a creative DIY that adds so much character to a space. Plus, by using an old door, you can add some charming character to your laundry room décor. I love the extra storage the counter adds too – I have baskets and containers in the back corners to store things like laundry soap, brushes, and stain remover. Click here to read my full tutorial on how I repurposed an “oopsie” door into our laundry room countertop.

Use an old exterior screen door as an interior barn door – add a plastic insert and hardware

Looking to add some rustic charm to your home? Consider repurposing an exterior vintage screen door as an interior barn door! With a few easy steps, you can transform this vintage piece into a functional conversation starter. First, remove the old screen and add a plastic insert to provide privacy while still allowing light to filter through. I found this piece of plastic at Home Depot in their wall panel section. Then, install the hardware necessary to hang the door, and voila! You have a one-of-a-kind, DIY barn door that adds character to any room. You can see the bedroom makeover where we installed this barn door in our tiny cabin here!

A barn door like this would also look cute with some chicken wire in place of the plastic if no privacy is needed. You could also add a seasonal wreath to the front for even more style! I loved the original paint on my upcycled door, but you could also use chalk paint or latex paint to give your barn door a new pop of colour.

Turn a vintage door into an accessories stand in the bedroom

If you have limited storage space in your bedroom, using wall space to store items is a good idea. You can take an old wooden door, give it a distressed paint job (here, I’ve brushed a white wash over some grey paint), add hooks, and you’re done! In our guest bedroom, I’ve used an old door with hooks to hang a hat and a scarf. You could also hang jewelry or coats on the hooks, or you could use something like this in an entryway as a coat hanger.

Tip: If you’re using a hollow core door and want to install hooks in the hollow portion, use drywall anchors and drywall screws to mount your hooks.

More ways you can upcycle an old door:

• turn an old door into a bench like My Creative Days has done
• Simplified Building shares how to make a DIY porch swing from an upcycled door
• make a bookshelf from old cupboard doors inspired by My Love 2 Create
• Interior Frugalista shows how to turn an old door into a headboard DIY

I hope you’ve found some upcycling inspiration after reading these ideas. Would you ever try any of these old door DIYs? Let me know in the comments!