Repurposing a screen door as a porch divider

I posted part of the back porch makeover last week so I thought I would show you all how I repurposed another of my old screen doors. 

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The back porch is very long and narrow and with part of it covered, I like to create two separate areas. 

I thought about using two of these doors, but ended up using only one here. Don’t you love the original green paint on the other one? 

As you can see, it was pretty dirty.

When I saw the bottom had this square chicken wire, like I used in the door I repurposed for the laundry room, HERE, I smiled. My grandfather and I were thinking the same thing:-) I washed and scrubbed with soap and water, then ripped off the old screen and wire. 

I painted with three coats of exterior black paint. Since I had a screen I am not using on my french doors, I cut off the screen, which was new, and stapled it to the back of this one. I also finished with strips of 1″ wood trim left over from another project to cover the staples.

Then I had to figure out how to hang it. My thought was to use chains and eye hooks, but then I realized all I needed to do was use the hinges already on it. 

So I just attached those hinges to the house, then added an L-shaped bracket left over from some curtain rods to the corner (bottom left) to make sure it does not swing. It is resting on the floor of the porch also, so it’s not going anywhere.  

Voila, instant room divider!! 

How I love it!! It really divides the two areas, and makes this side feel like a room. 

But the coolest thing is knowing that it was once on my grand parent’s house. Here they are in front of the house and you can see the door behind them. I sure wish I could find those shutters around here somewhere:-)

The funny thing about this photo is, when I posted it on facebook, someone shared it and identified it as their grandparents with other names, and another person left a comment asking if it was their grandparents. I’m still scratching my head on that one. 

I love using old things here in our house. I love the sense of family and belonging that it gives my own children. Maybe my screen door will end up on one of their porches someday.

You can see more of the back porch HERE.

Thanks for stopping by:-) For more updates, interaction and sneak peaks of upcoming projects, come join me on facebook.

Anita

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19 Comments

  1. Susan
    June 10, 2013 / 4:30 pm

    As beautiful as always, Anita! I love the way you are repurposing your family's cherished home furnishings and instilling in your children a love of heritage and worth. Have a blessed day!!

  2. Betty
    June 10, 2013 / 5:19 pm

    That is such a clever and beautiful idea.

  3. Pamela Gordon
    June 10, 2013 / 7:12 pm

    I love this idea and it has given me an idea for when we replace our old screen door. I'll see if hubby will go for it. 🙂 Your porch is just perfect. Interesting the comments you received about the photo of your grandparents!

  4. lynn cockrell
    June 10, 2013 / 7:42 pm

    Beautiful post, Anita! I pinned several of the pics and the laundry room door, as well!

  5. Patty Rumaker
    June 10, 2013 / 9:08 pm

    Your porch looks very inviting and I love the idea of using a screen door to separate the space on your porch. As Pamela said, very interesting comments about the photo of your grandparents. Strange to say the least, but interesting.
    Thanks, Patty

  6. THE FARMHOUSE PORCH
    June 10, 2013 / 11:19 pm

    Now that's an idea I've never seen! How cute! Your entire porch is wonderful, so pretty and inviting.

    The Scoop link party just started, would love for you to link up!

    ♥Linsey

  7. linda t
    June 11, 2013 / 1:21 am

    Beautiful! Wish I could sit on your porch with you and talk for hours.

  8. Deanna
    June 11, 2013 / 3:57 am

    Neat idea and you made it look so cozy.
    Sweet Blessings,
    d

  9. srpprcrftr
    June 11, 2013 / 4:10 am

    Your porch is wonderful and you made it even more special using that screen door. Oh to find one of those, yeah right. You are so smart to use things you have from your family, how fortunate also. The memories can never be replaced, keep the chain going. Such a cute idea using door for a divider, couldn't work better.
    So strange about your grandparents photo, can never figure some people out. Happy days

  10. One Shabby Old House
    June 11, 2013 / 4:16 am

    I love what you did with your screen door! Your porch is so inviting.

  11. Chubby Chieque
    June 11, 2013 / 4:20 am

    What a great idea.

    The porch is so cozy with all you cushions.

    Enjoy,

    /CC girl

  12. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life
    June 11, 2013 / 4:03 pm

    I love it. How fun is this and it really does make it seem like a room. Thanks tons for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty – – – Oh, I love the pic of your grandparents.

  13. Shelia
    June 11, 2013 / 4:39 pm

    You are the smartest, Anita, and this looks wonderful! How in the world do you come up with these ideas! 🙂
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

  14. JP
    June 13, 2013 / 10:31 pm

    I love the divider idea and I love it in black, too….thank you for sharing your beautiful porch!

  15. junkmom
    June 14, 2013 / 1:08 pm

    Great idea! I have an old screen door that I use as a room divider in my basement but I so wish I had a porch like yours!

  16. Maureen Wyatt
    June 14, 2013 / 7:38 pm

    Here from Furniture Feature Friday and loving what you did with the screen door! I have an old door from my parent's general store as an accent on my long, narrow porch.

  17. Maureen Wyatt
    June 14, 2013 / 7:38 pm

    ps – pinning

  18. Unknown
    June 18, 2013 / 12:46 pm

    I'm visiting from Inspire Me Tuesday. I love this idea! I've seen a bunch of old screens lately that aren't the right size for our doors, but this is a great way to use one. I've pinned it for later!
    ~Erin @ Erin’s 2 Cents

  19. Linda
    June 25, 2013 / 7:19 pm

    What a great idea! You've got my wheels spinning . . . . I have a very large porch at my weekender place. Just maybe I can copy this idea???
    Linda