Inspiration Index: Windows

Have you ever heard somebody say, "you make a better door than a window"? (so rude, we know.) Well, these windows make better tables, mirrors, garden sheds and shelves. Repurposing these paned glass beauties is great for your wallet and even better for the environment! 

Read on for a wild walk through the wonderful world of windows. Then put your project pants on, hike up your tool belt and break out a little elbow grease. Make sure your watch is on, because it's time to get DIYing. 

For even more ideas, follow us on Pinterest for a plethora of perfectly pleasant projects.  

This rustic window is the perfect backdrop for a romantic mantle
Books + window = perfect coffee table
Replace the glass in an old window for a chic mirror
Eat your heart out, Anthropologie! Love this dreamy DIY

Easily create a faux stained glass window with a bit of paint
One resourceful couple made a stunning country retreat completely out of windows!
Let the light shine with this Do it Yourself greenhouse
This mirror lived a previous life as a window. Fantastic!

Use a window as the perfect canvas for your artistic creation!

U-S-A! D-I-Y! Let your flag fly with this patriotic project

Remind everyone of bathroom protocol with this great sign

A reused window becomes a tray with this chevron-styled DIY project

Inspiration Index: Let there be light (fixtures)

We've all seen them: sad, dusty, slightly dingy light fixtures. Often missing parts, covered in a thin layer of grime, these once brilliant luminaries seem lackluster and limp. Should we just toss them? Pass them by at our local reuse center or thrift shop? Sigh and think of their former glory days with nostalgia?

Of course not! A quick cleaning, some slight modifications and POW, these light fixtures are good as new (better, some might say!). SHAZAM, a chandelier is repurposed into an earthy planter. WHAM, a pendant light is upcycled into a hip terrarium. ZONKS, a ceiling light is transformed into a tranquil bird feeder. Holy reuse, batman! 

Check out these great reuse ideas, then dust off a light fixture and make it something awesome. For more inspiration, follow us on Pinterest. We're super pinners. 

Remove the bulb and electric parts. Fill with succulents and sand. Enjoy.
Easily turn a ceiling light into a tranquil bird feeder.
Paint the glass panes of a light fixture for an Anthropologie knockoff mirror.
A glass paneled light makes the perfect hanging planter.
Bring Jurassic Park to your desktop with this luscious terrarium.

Give your pots a hand (or 10!) with help from a chandelier.
A pendant light makes a gorgeous, inexpensive terrarium.

Follow PlanetReuse Marketplace's board Bright ideas for upcycled lighting on Pinterest.

House/Boats

We've all heard of houseboats, the floating ship/home hybrids that ride down a river or bob lazily in a lake. But what about boat houses? Some very enterprising builders have repurposed out-of-commision sloops, steamboats and skiffs into very interesting single family homes.

The result? Aquatic-themed abodes that will amaze and astound you.  And while plopping a yacht in the neighborhood might make you a feel like a fish out of water, we have a feeling these upcyclers think their creations are definitely something to "sea."

Follow us on Pinterest for even more inspiration.

Upcycled, overturned boats make adorable sheds!

Loving this landlocked boat-turned-house. 

Two boats are better than one house! 

A tugboat is recycled into a charming lake house.

A retired boat captain repurposed an old boat into a rustic seaside abode.

Would you believe this vacation hotel used to be an oil rig? 

The Apple Jack was lovingly restored by an upcycling pro. 

This hotel in thailand uses colorful recycled boats as guest rooms. 

A repurposed boat lends its shape to the roof of this tiny house. 

Posted by: Sarah Rendo