How To Repurpose an Old Door

Repurposing an old door as a new entry point, dining table, or room divider is a great way to add character to your house while saving money and reducing waste. This do-it-yourself project only takes a few hours, and you’ll only need a few tools and materials. Learn how to repurpose an old door in the guide below.

Understanding Door Requirements

Familiarize yourself with the basic requirements for interior doors before you start repurposing your door. Doors must be at least 80 inches tall and 32 inches wide, though a 36-inch-wide door will make your space especially accessible. You can be more flexible with closet door sizes. 

Interior doors should be visually appealing and practical. Living room doors might require soundproofing, while bedroom doors should offer privacy. Consider where a door will go and what additional features you might need to add before you begin your repurposing project. You may need to trim or modify your door so that it can fit in its new opening.

Pro Tip: Tom Silva, This Old House general contractor, advises: “When replacing a vintage door with a new one, you often have go the custom route to match the 2-to-2¼-inch thickness of most older doors.” Keep this in mind when repurposing a salvaged door — older doors are typically thicker than modern ones, which can affect how they fit in newer jambs.

Tools and Materials Needed to Repurpose a Door

Collect the tools and materials below before you start your repurposing project:

• Measuring tape
• Circular saw
• Combination square
• Hammer
• Measuring tape
• New hinges
• Pencil
• Respirator
• Screwdriver
• Screws
• Shims
• Utility knife
• Wood chisel

Preparing the Door for Repurposing

Follow the steps below to begin repurposing an old door: 

1. Place the door in the new opening.
2. Check for tightness, and make sure there’s an even amount of space around the edges.  
3. Pay close attention to the spot at which the door frame meets the jamb.
4. Mark any adjustments you need to make.

If you need to trim the door, measure from the bottom of the jamb to the height you want on the door and mark the cutting line with a pencil. Use a circular saw to trim the top of the door. If you’re not sure how to use a circular saw, practice on scrap wood before you make cuts on the door. Remember that a gap is more noticeable at the top of the door than the bottom.

Pro Tip: Before cutting a door with a circular saw, roll out painter’s tape along the cut line, mark the line on the tape, and score it with a utility knife. This technique, detailed in This Old House Magazine, prevents the saw blade from chipping the wood and ensures a clean edge — especially important when working with a salvaged door whose finish you want to preserve.

Safety Precautions

Keep yourself safe during your project by following the directions below. 

• Wear a respirator to avoid inhaling harmful toxins and dust.
• Wear protective eyewear when you’re cutting or sanding.
• Work in a well-ventilated area.

Installing New Hardware for a Door

If you’re changing the swing of the door or updating the hardware, you’ll need to install new hinges. This can give the door a fresh look and improve how successfully it operates. Fill old hinge spaces with wood patches and measure and mark a 1/4-inch margin for new hinges. Center the new hinge over the wood patch, then score the top and bottom of the hinge with a utility knife.

Pro Tip: Tom Silva, This Old House general contractor, emphasizes the importance of getting the mortise depth right: “I want to mortise out the thickness of the hinge, and I want to make sure that the hinge doesn’t sit deeper than at the edge of the door.” To set a reliable reference, hold the hinge even with the door edge and mark a line underneath it — that line becomes your depth guide for chiseling.

Creating the Mortise

Use a wood chisel and hammer to tap into the scored lines. Make a series of cuts that are about 1/4 inch apart and carve out the cuts with the chisel. Test-fit the new hinge and make sure it’s flush with the wood edge. Creating mortises might seem daunting, but you can achieve professional results if you’re patient and careful.

Pro Tip: Norm Abram, master carpenter on This Old House, stresses the importance of setting hinges flush: “You don’t wanna just screw these onto the surface. You wanna have ’em set down flush so that you don’t end up with a big gap between the door and this frame when the door is closed.”

Attaching the Hinges

Once you’ve prepared the mortise, place the hinge in the mortise and attach the hinge with screws. Favor the inside portion of the screw holes to achieve a tight fit. Make sure you align the door correctly so that it can easily swing.

Hanging the Repurposed Door

Once you’ve installed the hinges, you can hang the door. Follow the steps below. 

1. Place the door in the opening.
2. Use shims to raise and hold the door.
3. Mark the hinge locations on the door jamb.
4. Remove the door and create mortises on the jamb.
5. Screw the hinges to the jamb.
6. Guide the door onto the hinges.

If the door doesn’t swing smoothly or latch correctly, you might need to make more adjustments. A door should open and close effortlessly without sticking or binding.

Adding Final Touches

Follow the steps below to give your door a polished look: 

• Apply a fresh coat of paint or stain.
• Install new hardware such as doorknobs or handles.
• Sand any rough edges or surfaces.

These final touches can elevate your door’s appearance. Even small details such as adding a door stopper or a fresh coat of finish on doorknobs can make a big difference.

Pro Tip: Tom Silva, general contractor on Ask This Old House, advises patience with the finishing process: “Wait for the door to really dry. It’s dry to the touch right now, but I want it to dry for about 24 hours. Sand it lightly with some 220 paper, wipe it off with a damp rag. Make sure there’s no moisture on the door. And give it another coat. And do that two times.”

Tips for Successful Door Repurposing

Choose a door that’s in good condition and has minimal damage. Clean and sand the door before you install it, and update the door’s finish so that it matches your decor. Replace old hardware with new, matching pieces, and seal the door properly to prevent drafts.

Clean and sand the door to eliminate old paint and grime and reveal the wood’s natural beauty. Experiment with finishes, too. Stains, paints, and varnishes can dramatically alter the door’s appearance and make it suitable for various interior styles.

Creative Ideas for Repurposed Doors

If you don’t want to repurpose your old door as a new entry point, consider making it into one of the features below. 

• Dining table: Use a sturdy old door as a tabletop and add legs for a rustic dining experience.
• Headboard: Turn an old door into a unique bed headboard that adds a rustic charm.
• Room divider: Attach hinges to multiple doors to create an elegant room divider.

These ideas are just starting points. You can transform doors into many functional and decorative pieces. Repurposing adds character to your home and leads to conversation-worthy decor.