Old doors. They seem to be everywhereÑantique stores, flea markets, yard sales, in the old home you just inherited. The older the door, the more likely it is constructed from solid wood. Solid wood doors are hard to find these days and cost a bundle. Beyond using them as an entrance, what do you do with old doors? You repurpose them into almost anything imaginable!

Old doors make great headboards. Just remove the hardware, paint or stain the exterior if desired, turn the door on its side, hang it behind your bed, and voila, you’ve got a great headboard. Door doesn’t quite fit? No problem. Cut it down and trim it out for a more finished look.

Old doors make great screens. Find three somewhat equal in size, remove the hardware, paint or refinish them if desired, attach them together with hinges, and your folding screen is complete. Need a larger screen? Add another door or two. Want to make the screen more practical? Add a panel of chalkboard paint and a panel of corkboard for a bulletin board. You can also create a message center out of one door. Just paint a panel with chalkboard paint, attach a whiteboard in another panel and a corkboard in another, and you’ve got a large, message center at your service. You can either hang the door on the wall, stand it against the wall or attach some feet to it for a freestanding message center.

Old doors make great desks. Take a door, remove the hardware, paint or refinish it if desired, add four legs, trim it out and you’ve got a great desk. Use the doorknob hole for a cup or cord holder. Door has panes of glass? No problem. Slide some photos or postcards onto the glass panes for decoration and lay a large piece of glass on top of the door to create a solid surface for working. You can also turn an old door into an instant table using the same process. Just cut the door down to the size you need, paint or refinish it if desired, add some legs and trim, and you’ve got a great side table, sofa table and more. Want a dining table? Use two doors side by side.

Old doors make great additions to gardens as well, either as screens, shutters or potting benches. To turn an old door into a potting bench, turn it on its side and add some legs, or make it freestanding with feet and use it as a backdrop to a real potting bench.

There are dozens of new uses for old doors. Head to your local hardware store or garden center for ideas. Consult some home magazines and the Internet for further ideas. Get creative and design your own project. Then post it online and share it with others!