If you’re looking for some unique storage solutions, using an old door to make a shelving unit is a brilliant idea! There are so many cool ways to transform a vintage door into something super functional and stylish. From creating a plant-filled shelving unit to building a tall bookshelf, the possibilities are endless.
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If you don’t have an old door lying around, you can find some great deals at architectural salvage stores or Habitat for Humanity ReStores. Just be careful if the door is very old – you may want to test for lead paint first. But once you’ve got your door, the possibilities are endless! You can build custom shelving from all kinds of doors, from hollow-core interior doors to antique exterior doors with tons of character.
Whether you want to create a cozy plant nook, an entryway organizer, or a tall bookshelf, an old door makes the perfect base. Get creative with paint, shelving, and hardware, and you’ll have a one-of-a-kind storage piece that’s way cooler than any store-bought shelving unit.
Plant shelving unit
Turning an old door into a plant shelving unit is such a fun and creative way to show off your green thumb. Paint the door a cheerful color, maybe even distress it a bit for an antique look, and add some sturdy pine board shelves. It’s the perfect spot to display all your houseplants, either indoors or out on the patio.
Entryway organizer shelving unit
An old door can make a super handy entryway organizer when you add some shelves, hooks, and a little cushion on top. Build a box at the bottom, add some dividers and hooks up top, and you’ve got the perfect spot to corral all your keys, mail, and other entryway essentials.
Corner shelving unit
If you’ve got a bare corner that needs some love, an old bi-fold door makes a super cute shelving unit. Just cut some curved or triangular shelves, screw them into the door, and paint it up however you like. It’s a fun, budget-friendly way to add some storage and style to an unused space.
Floating shelves
Hollow-core doors make the perfect material for floating shelves – they’re super easy to install and look great. Just mount a wood cleat to the wall, then use strong adhesive to attach the door sections. Finish it off with some finish nails and caulk, and you’ve got some awesome DIY floating shelves that are both functional and stylish.
Tall bookshelf unit
If you’re short on storage space, an old door can be turned into a super tall and sturdy bookshelf. Cut the door in half and use the two sides as the frame, then add some shelves in between. You can even frame out the front with some trim for a finished, professional look. Paint or stain it however you like – this shelving unit is sure to make a big statement.
Storage built into non-functioning door
For a super simple DIY, you can turn an old non-functioning interior door into some handy storage space. Just build a shelving unit right on top of the existing door, frame it out, and you’ve got a cool new storage piece without having to do a full-blown door transformation.
Shelving unit from old door with window openings
An old door with window panes makes for a super cool and unique shelving unit. Just remove the panes to turn each opening into a little shelf, and extend the horizontal crossbars so you have enough surface area to display your stuff. You can leave the vintage look as-is or give it a fresh coat of paint – either way, it’s a beautiful and functional piece.
Small shelving unit
Even a small old door can become a charming little shelving unit. Use the panels from the door as the side pieces, add some top, bottom, and shelf pieces, and you’ve got a compact storage solution that’s perfect for smaller spaces. You can even play up the vintage look by highlighting the panel details with a fun paint job.
