Turning an Old Door into a Light Fixture

We’ve seen lots and lots of things done with old doors — but we still LOVE them! So much potential and just so much character in a door that’s already been through a lifetime (or two). Our guest today made a big statement in her guest room makeover by turning an old door into a light fixture — and a matched set at that, perfect for bedside lamps!

Read below for the details from Maria, and be sure to snatch up the next beautiful old door you come across — just think of all the possibilities! It could be a dining table top

or a headboard like this or this

or a rolling door

or any one of hundreds of things!

Here’s Maria with the story of her beautiful doors turned bedside lamps — give her a warm welcome!

Turning an Old Door into a Light Fixture
by Maria from Simple Nature Decor

My love for southern architecture/design started when my family and I moved down to the Low Country from New York after nearly 25 years. I’ve now walked the charming streets of Savannah & Charleston hundreds of times, and still fall in love with all the beautiful, historical homes time & time again. The most unique,and sometimes disguised, feature of the Low Country is the fusion of old with new. Drawing inspiration from this, I decided to embark on my own project of fusing old with new by taking two old wooden doors from a local antique shop, and transforming them into exquisite lighting fixtures! Check out my how-to below.

SUPPLIES

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• Two Vintage doors (discovered at local antique shop for a bargain – $75.00 for the pair)
• Sanding machine
• Paint stripper
• Durable spatula
• 2 lighting sconces (found these Parisian Acanthus Sconce @ Horchow)

PREPARE THE DOORS

This step you want to do fairly quickly, so be ready! The fumes can be pretty strong, so be sure to wear face mask.

1. Pour the paint stripper on a small area 5 by 5 section at a time.
2. Remove with a sturdy spatula. Do avoid spattering of the chemicals, as well as the chance of accidentally removing an eyebrow, don’t make the mistake of using a flimsy plastic spatula!
3. Once paint is removed, sand the doors until it’s smoothed down.

PAINTING & DISTRESSING THE DOORS

4. Now you are ready to paint them with an oil-based paint. I went with a white color to match the decor for my guest bedroom.

5. Sand down all the edges and center of the panels to create a distressed appearance. I find that sanding machine is much more efficient,but some people prefer the control they have using just sand paper by hand. It may take a bit longer, but you’ll achieve similar results!

ADDING THE SCONCES

This part requires you to bring out your handy home skills. If you are handy with electrical stuff, than fabulous, because you can save yourself a few hundred dollars. But if you are like me, and uncomfortable tinkering around stuff that can zap you, then hire an electrician.

6. In order for the light cord to reach the wall outlets, I had the electrician to drill a hole large enough to fit a long electrical cord thru. The cord then hangs long enough to plug it in an outlet (see back view photo above).

7. I then installed the lighting fixture to the door by pulling the cord thru the hole until the sconce was flushed to the door and bolting it with the screws (see front view photo), and voila!

I positioned the doors on each side of the bed, and thankfully, it’s a perfect fit!

Get a look at the entire guest room in its completion here!

Total spent on project= $420

• Doors: $75
• Sconces $180
• Supplies: $40
• Electrician:$125

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Thank you for sharing, Maria! So lovely! Remodelaholics — head over to Simple Nature Decor for more of Maria’s beautifully simple style, like in this boho style bedroom for her daughter. 

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