My husband and I had been planning to renovate our cottage for quite some time, as it holds a special place in our hearts, but it had started to show signs of age.
We began by replacing the old windows that had been in place nearly since the house was first built. The new windows did the job—making the house feel warmer and cozier. But instead of throwing out the old frames, we decided to repurpose them into something useful.
At first, we just piled them in a corner, unsure of how to reuse them. Then, an idea struck: why not transform them into raised garden beds?
To our delight, the beds turned out to be not only practical but also incredibly sturdy. They’re easy to assemble, and despite their simplicity, they’ll last for many years.
We got started right away. First, we removed the glass from the frames. Then, in the gaps where the windows used to be, we attached a thick plastic film. Using long nails, we secured everything in place.
The result was quite charming. We didn’t even need to paint the frames, as their natural look blended beautifully with our garden’s overall style.
The benefits of these beds are clear: by being sheltered from the elements, plants can be put in the ground earlier than if they were planted directly in the soil. My husband and I are already planning which crops to start with—maybe some herbs and strawberries.
Now, our garden not only looks tidy but also has a unique flair. And the best part is that we didn’t send the old windows to the dump—they’ve been given a second life, brightening up our garden every day.
We’ve created something incredibly useful for the garden out of old windows: here’s what we’ve made.
Here are a few more ideas.
