There’s a way to salvage and repurpose just about anything even if it may seem like an unlikely possibility. Take an old window for example. There’s not much to do with it and you probably can’t think of any good ideas off the top of your head. The more you think about it however, the more things change. There are actually plenty of projects that can make use of repurposed old windows and here’s some of them.

Old windows can be used to make a mini greenhouse for the backyard or the garden. This can be a little extension to the back of the house where you can grow a few plants or perhaps a few fresh herbs to use in the kitchen. Either way, the windows would be perfect for the job. You can use them to frame the greenhouse and you can then add a little roof and a shelf or two inside. You can check out wonderwood if you want to find out more about this project.

It could also be pretty easy to find a use for old windows inside the house, especially if you’re a fan of rustic furniture and decorations. One idea is to turn the windows into doors for some display cabinets. Something like this could look nice in a dining room or in a kitchen. You can make the frames for the cabinets out of wood to size so the repurposed doors fit them perfectly. For more details, head over to wonderwood.

A single old window can be quite easily transformed into a chalkboard which you can hang on a wall in your home office, the entryway or the kitchen. All you need is chalkboard paint and a foam brush. If the frame needs repairs or needs to be sealed, take some time to do that first. Then tape off the frame and apply chalkboard paint onto the glass. Apply several thin coats and let it dry and cure in a well ventilated area. Check out theshabbycreekcottage to see how this turns out.

Another really cool idea is to replace the glass of an old window with a mirror. This way you get to use the frame which probably has lots of character and would fit marvelously in a cozy home with a bit of rustic flair. You can hang the mirror in the bathroom above a towel rack or find a different use for it. Check out findinghomefarms for more quirky decorating ideas like this one.

A big four pane window would make a nice wall organizer for an office or a crafting room. Each of the four sections can be structured differently. One could hold a calendar, another could be fitted with a mail sorter and so on. You could also keep the glass one or two sections and use it as a dry-erase board that you can write on with markers. there are also attachments that you can add to your new board and lots of ways in which you can customize it. You can find a few ideas on dwellinginhappiness.

Old windows can also potentially be incorporated into the design of a garden fence. This idea is inspired by a project that we found on hometalk. This particular fence is made out of windows and fence balustrades. The window are really nice because they don’t obstruct the view but at the same time they create a barrier and prevents pets from getting into the garden and doing damage to the plants.

A window sash or an old paned window can be repurposed into a fireplace screen. This is a really cute idea if you have an old fireplace that’s no longer functional or if you want to make a decorative fireplace box. Either way, you can make the screen by attaching wood shelf brackets to the window and you can also paint the glass to give it a mirrored finish or a frosted look if you want to. Also, feel free to paint the frame of the window so it better matches your fireplace. More details and ideas can be found on inmyownstyle.

Notice anything special about this kitchen island? That’s right, the front is made out of two old windows. The clear glass lets you see the shelves and the items stored on them and also adds a retro vibe to the design of the island. You might be able to customize your own island in a similar manner or perhaps to build one from scratch. Repurpose a table could work in some cases. Check out oliveout to find out more about this beautiful island.