We imagine many of you will be revamping your home when spring comes around – DIY jobs are perfect for this time of year.
Typical spring DIY jobs consist of potting plants, repainting internal walls, and clearing out your unworn clothes. However for some, DIY jobs are a little larger than this – installing new hardware, replacing old window frames, and purchasing bifold doors.
If you plan on taking on a bigger DIY project this spring, have you thought about upcycling the item that you’re replacing? In particular, upcycling old windows – there are many ways that you can repurpose your old window frames.
In this guide, we’re going to look at the different ways that you can upcycle your old windows and give them a new purpose.
How do you decorate an old window?
There are many ways that you can decorate an old window if you haven’t got the budget to replace them. Decorating a window doesn’t always mean repainting them – but, it’s a good place to start.
Start by purchasing some good paint – paint especially created for the type of window frame that you have. uPVC, aluminium, and wood, will require different types of paint. Sand away flaking paint and paint the frames with the desired colour.
If you want to decorate your old windows without painting them, there are a few ways that you can jazz them up a bit:
- Install new curtains or blinds
- Add plants or picture frames to your window sill
- Go over the old sealant with new sealant to give your windows a fresh look
- Replace old hardware.
Ideas for repurposing old windows
If your windows are past saving, here are some upcycling ideas that may give you some inspo.
Antique Window Mirror
Remove the old glass from your window frame and sand away flaking paint. Cut and glue mirrored glass to where the glass panes once sat. You can now hang your new mirror on the wall or rest it on an antique side table for a farmhouse feel.
Chalkboard Window
Similar idea to the first one, but this time we’re using chalkboard instead of mirrored glass. As before, cut and glue the chalkboard to the window frame. For an easier project, you can cut the chalkboard to the size of the entire mirror instead of cutting it into individual pieces. This is a great way to make something practical from an old window frame.
Sideboard
If you have extra wood lying around try your hand at a sideboard. Use the window frame and glass as the sideboard door and add screws to attach it to the rest of the reclaimed wood. Use sandpaper to remove flaking paint and to smooth off the edges. For a rustic vibe, leave the sideboard unpainted.
Jewellery Organiser
Insert pins, tiny screws, and hooks to the frame of the window. You can use these to hang jewellery such as necklaces, bracelets, and rings. If you want to go a step further, remove some (or all) of the glass panes and insert a piece of material. You can use this to store your earrings by pushing the bar of the earring through the material.
Decor
If you like to keep things simple, you can use your old window for decorative purposes – this adds a great country cottage feel to interiors. All you need to do is make the frame look more presentable. Clean away any dust and dirt, wash the glass panes (or replace them), and if desired, give the frames a lick of paint. You can hang your new upcycled windows wherever you please – they look great in kitchens though!
Upcycling windows is a fun DIY task – think of the self-achievement. There is very little effort required to make something beautiful from an old wooden frame, all you need is a bit of inspiration.
If your DIY task for this year is to install new windows, please take a look through our range of timber windows.