How to Upcycle an old Window Frame

Repurpose, Reuse, Recycle

I often look at Pinterest pictures of pretty gardens where people have upcycled or repurposed items from somewhere with admiration. Sometimes it just takes imagination to think about how you can use things again tastefully, without looking junky.

My husband and son were working on an old barn and this lovely wooden window frame (glass removed) was going in the skip bin. I love the colour and the patina that has come about from being out in the weather. I also love recycling or repurposing things, especially when they look as sweet as this. I decided to hang it between two Ponga trees at the edge of the native bush on our property.

I already had the two wee birds which I had purchased earlier from an Op shop for $2 and spray painted them white. My thoughts were to glue them on to the bird bath, but when the window frame was put up, I knew that that was the place that these two little guys were going!

I absolutely love the result. I think gardens with quirky little surprises are so dreamy to wonder around in and make your experience that little bit more interesting. I look out at this garden from my kitchen window and this makes me smile.

A free upcycled window, some wire, glue, a couple of staples & two upcycled ornamental birds and a little imagination.

Materials needed

1. An old upcycled window
2. A hammer
3. Soft pliable wire
4. Staple nails
5. Outdoor glue
6. Upcycled birds

How to make an Upcycled Window Frame with birds

1. Start by hammering in the staple nails across the back of the frame at the top making sure to leave a space for the wire, so don’t hammer all the way in. I used 3 staple nails.
2. Then thread the wire through through the staples. I used some soft pliable wire that I already had, but an old wire coat hanger could also work. Make sure your wire is long enough to go around the trees each side before you cut it.
3. For this next part you will need someone on the other side just to help you lift and hold the window frame until you get it into the position that you want. Wrap wire around the tree at each side then adjust if needed.
4. To glue birds on I used a glue suitable for outdoors and just made sure both surfaces ie. the bottom of the birds and the frame were clean and dry before applying the glue.
5. Sit back and watch the real birds fly through or sit upon the window frame!

I hope you get a chance to make one of these if you have a window frame to use and have the desire to upcycle it for your garden. Enjoy!

Take care

Sarah