Budget Decorating: Using Old Doors

 

Flickr Photo Credit: Visulogik

I have seen numerous ideas over the years using old doors creatively for decorating. As we are getting ready to remodel / rebuild at the lake, I have been searching for even more ideas in order to save as many features as possible from the old cottage to incorporate into the new building. It is a family property that we bought from David’s Mom, and as we turn it into a larger home, it is important to us to honor the history of this place that has so many wonderful family memories. Here are some ideas I’ve found so far. As we find more, or try some of these ideas ourselves, I’ll post those as well.

• A dining room table from an old door - This page shows a picture and has general information on turning an old door into a an interesting dining table that would also be a great conversation piece at parties.
• This page is for a cabinet maker who uses doors and other unique items such as blacksmith bellows, steel grating and more to make unique tables and cabinets. A great page to get some inspirational ideas.
• Have several old doors? Consider making a folding divider screenas this article suggests. I’ve also seen larger individual doors with lots of character serving as a sort of room divider in a one room living situation. The person had cross pieces on the bottom and castor wheels. You could use one of those intricately carved ethnic doors or a large antique door.
• This article has some great ideas for making furniture out of old barn doors. Some ideas mentioned are dining room tables, coffee tables, head and foot boards for beds, and hall trees for coat and hat hanging. We have a cool sliding barn door on the cottage garage that has the original iron hardware. I can’t wait to do something cool with is such as a sliding room / wall divider. I’m hoping to keep the entire thing as is when we incorporate it, because it has so much character.

Have any other great links for decorating with doors? We’d love to post them!