4 Unexpected Ways to Use Hardwood Planks Besides for Flooring (Pt. 1)
Although hardwood planks are commonly and mostly used for flooring, they can also be used for other projects, not related to flooring. This is especially perfect when you have left over planks laying around that weren’t needed during installation or for flooring repairs.
Whether you have extra hardwood planks laying around your home, or you’re just into the hardwood look, there are so many things you can do with those extra wide-plank floors.
Besides recycling, donating, throwing them away, or storing them, here are four unexpected ways to use your leftover hardwood planks:
- Doors
- Window Frames
- Wall Accents
- Wood Furniture
Now, it does take a little bit of creativity to imagine using hardwood planks for your doors, window frames, wall accents, or furniture, but you’d be surprised at how trendy it is to do so and how simple too – just ask a DIYer!
Doors
One way to use your leftover wooden planks is by building a door. Have you ever seen a wooden front door, such as a wooden door used for a home’s entrance? Take a look at the image below.
Hardwood doors like these are super trendy and offer a sleek and modern look to any home, which is probably why many homes, specifically new and luxurious homes, have them.
But front doors aren’t generally homemade. Unless you’re a pro DIYer or a picky door chooser, you may not want to build your own front door. It may be worth hiring a professional carpenter so all you have to do is provide your leftover hardwood planks.
Another “door” you could build with leftover hardwood planks are cabinet doors. Now, this is something you can definitely DIY, even if you’re a beginner.
Whether in your kitchen, living room, or bedroom, you can use your leftover wooden planks to not only create cabinet doors, but also the entire cabinet, which many homeowners and house flippers do. The perk of DIYing your own projects is that you get to create what you envisioned, and the leftover wooden planks offer the perfect color match!
However, if you do have wooden cabinets already, you can also use your leftover wooden planks to redo them to color match or to upgrade and bring life back into them.
Window Frames
Doors, cabinets, and cabinet doors may be expected and unsurprising ways to use hardwood floors, but what about window frames, or even frames in general?
Rather than purchasing picture frames, mirrors with frames, or any frame really, try building your own with your leftover hardwood planks.
Here’s where DIYers shine, if you have a plank or two laying around, frames are perfect to use them up. Adding a frame to items like windows, mirrors, and pictures not only adds character and charm to the item, but it can also add safety, such as when a mirror falls.
At Villagio’s office, we have an indoor window with our Lucca wood used as its frame. Check out what our window frame looks like in a living room and see how it accents the aesthetics so well.
As mentioned, window frames aren’t the only items you can use your wooden planks for. Take a look at more ways you can make frames using your leftover hardwood planks below:
Feeling inspired yet?
There are so many ways to use leftover hardwood planks that don’t include tossing them or leaving them in storage until you forget about them.
So far we’ve mentioned using leftover hardwood planks for doors, cabinets, window frames, and mirrors but plenty more options exist. Feel free to use leftover flooring for planters, shelving, shoe racks, trays, etc. Whether you’re a DIYer or just trying to get rid of leftovers, the options are endless!
We hope this inspires you to start your own DIY project while you wait for part 2 of the four unexpected ways to use hardwood planks besides for flooring.
How have you used your leftover hardwood planks? Let us know below!
