Solid wooden doors including engineered doors can be used in many ways, aside from the conventional way. With a little imagination a door can be transformed into a number of innovative functional ideas. For example how about turning an old unused door it into a table? Or perhaps chopping it in half and making two small coffee tables or even cutting it length ways to make two or three shelves.
The table to the left is sold by a company called Etsy. From secret passage bookcase doors to unusual glass printed designs on doors there is no shortage of fresh ideas for uses for wooden doors. By doing a simple internet search you can find many wonderful ideas by open minded people who have transformed a normal looking door into usable pieces of furniture or art. Reusing your old wooden doors rather than burning or disposing of them is an excellent way of recycling. This way we can all do our bit for the environment, and at the same time gain something unique for the home or office.
If you have some old wooden doors a great way to re-use them could be to adapt them to replace the old garden fence by stacking and fixing the doors horizontally to the required height, to make a new fence. Another great use is to make a bench seat for the garden. You could use brackets to fix the legs to the bench (and may need to plain the edges) then treat all of the bench with varnish or stain.
Chris Ruhe has transformed old wooden doors by creating surreal storage cabinets from them.
These one off unique handmade products are just another example of how old wooden doors can be revamped and forged into a new product. The cabinets have been fabricated using antique and salvaged doors and some of the original hinges and hardware were maintained as both functional and aesthetic components. He has many other unique designs and different sized cabinets available.
A door is a versatile piece of material and could be turned into a piece of art by painting a landscape picture on it - then hanging it on a wall. You could even paint a mural on an existing door incorporating the walls either side of the door to create a landscape image. Painting would be an expensive option if you're paying an artist; another way to get the image on the door and wall is by using a vinyl print that can be glued or pasted to the wall and door. Most sign writers or picture framers have large scale vinyl print machines these days. Take along a favourite holiday photo and see what they can do for you.
Finding new ways to re-use old wooden doors and other furniture is worthwhile so the next time you are updating your home or thinking about throwing out old doors take a moment and see if you can transform the door into another type of furniture for yourself - or as a gift for someone else.
Forward Thinking
Innovative Use of Wooden Doors
Artful Doors
