Other Uses for Solid Wood Interior Doors

Solid wood doors are quality lumber products that lend themselves to other uses.  Some of the finish work involved with raw lumber products such as sanding and staining has already been done.  They are also available with decorative features such as molding or carving.

Headboard/Footboard

This is a common use for wooden doors often seen on craft shows and in reclaimed furniture shops.  Making a headboard is as simple as turning the door sideways and securely bolting it to a metal bed frame.  Add molding to the top and sides for a finished look.  Create a footboard by attaching another door to the other end of the metal bed frame.  Cut about 18 inches off the long side of the second door so that the footboard is shorter than the headboard.  Make sure to turn the hole for the doorknob and the cut side of the footboard toward the floor.

Room Screen

Make a room screen by connecting three doors with decorative hinges.  Install the second set of hinges facing the opposite direction from the first.  The doors should be able to fold according style.  Doors typically have two hinges one at the top and one at the bottom.  A third hinge in the middle will make the doors look like a room screen. Antique doorknobs help with moving the screen, it will be heavy, and provide a place to hang ornaments.

Room Divider

Use brackets to attach a single door to a wall so that it is perpendicular to the wall.  This creates a sturdy room divider that can be removed if necessary.  It is a great way to add privacy to large open areas.

Assorted Tables

Coffee tables, workbenches, dining tables, desks; the possibilities are endless.  Cut doors to the desired size and add short legs to make matching coffee or end tables.  Add taller, decorative legs for dining tables or desks and sturdy legs for workbenches.  Attach horizontal boards to the legs to create under table storage for workbenches or extend the legs above the work surface and attach a narrow board there for tabletop storage. 

Old posts, discarded cast iron table legs, pedestal legs from damaged tables, spindles from stair railings and old wooden ladders make great table legs.  Make sure the legs are strong enough to hold the weight of the door.

Attach a door to a wall with three heavy-duty hinges to make a foldaway worktable.  Face the hinges so that the door folds down flat against the wall when not in use.  Attach the hinges to wall studs for security.  Cut an old broom handle so that it fits between the door and the floor when the table is open.  This holds the door horizontal for work purposes.  When the door is folded down the broom handle can rest on the small lip at the top edge of the door for storage.  To prevent the broom handle from slipping during use, dip each end into the liquid rubber sold at hardware stores for coating tool handles.

Display

Remove the glass panes from a French door and hang ornaments or other items in the openings.  Leave the glass panes and attach photos or artwork to them.