One of the most rewarding parts of DIY projects is taking something old, weathered, and seemingly outdated, and transforming it into something unique and functional. That’s exactly what I did when I turned an antique window into a beautiful arched cabinet. Here’s the story of how I made this transformation, step by step, and the creative process behind it.
Finding the Perfect Antique Window
It all started with an antique window my mom gave me. The moment I laid eyes on it, I knew I had to have it. The window was old—probably a century or more—and the glass panes were lightly fogged with age. The wooden frame had that rustic, worn look that only comes with time. However, it was the arch at the top that really caught my attention. The soft curve seemed to whisper, “I’m meant to be something more.”
At the time, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do with it, but I was certain I could turn it into something that would blend beautifully with my home’s eclectic style. The idea of converting it into a cabinet took shape in my mind as I inspected the window more closely. I loved the idea of preserving the original window while giving it a new life as a functional piece of furniture.
Materials and Tools Needed
Before diving in, I made a list of the materials and tools I would need for the project. Here’s what I ended up using:
- ¾ plywood
- ⅛: plywood
- ½” plywood
- ½ oak
- Plexiglass
- Staple gun
- Router
- Circular Saw
- Antique window
- Kreg Jig
- Clamps
- Wood glue
- Lead Test Kit
- Citistrip spray
- Bondo Filler
- Paint sprayer
- Peel and stick oak wallpaper
- Digital tape measure
- Drawer slides
- Hinge Jig
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Deconstruction of Antique Arch Window
- I started by removing the glass panes: Carefully took out the glass from the antique window.
- Deconstructed the window frame: Removed the window panes and separated the frame into pieces.
- Cut the frame in half: Turned the original window frame into two separate pieces to form two doors.
- I had a feeling the window may have lead in the paint due to its age so I bought a led tester kit and i’m glad I did because it tested positive in some spots
- Applied Citristrip to the leaded parts of the window: Used Citristrip (a paint remover) to treat any lead or old paint, letting it sit to loosen the material.
- Scraped the old paint: After allowing the Citristrip to work, scraped off the old paint or lead remnants.
- Filed and sanded the frames: Smoothed the frame surfaces by filing and sanding, removing any rough edges and preparing the wood for finishing.
Step 2: Making the Cabinets
- Cut the wood to size for the sides, top, bottom, and back panels of the cabinet. For the back panel I used a ⅛” piece of plywood. While for the sides and front I used ¾” plywood.
- Drill pocket holes along the edges of your cabinet pieces (the sides, top, and bottom) where you’ll be joining them together. The Kreg Jig should create holes for screws that will hold the pieces securely.
- Once your pocket holes are drilled, use clamps to hold the pieces together while the glue dries
- For the back panel, you want to route grooves along the edges of the back of the cabinet so the ⅛” plywood backing will sit flush. This creates a nice, clean edge and ensures the back panel fits securely.
- Apply wood glue along the edges of the grooves where the back panel will sit. Carefully fit the back panel into the grooves.
- Once aligned, use a nail gun to secure the panel in place. Ensure that the nails are placed evenly and without hitting any areas that will interfere with the final assembly.
- Repeat the same steps for the second cabinet: drilling pocket holes, routing grooves, and attaching the back panel using glue and nails.
Step 3: Making the Arch
- I wanted to try the bending method to make the arch – (this includes cutting a ton of tiny lines through the wood but not all the way throughout the piece) . For this I used ½” piece of wood
- Measure the arch part of doors to cut the wood backing for the form.
- I cut supports for the arch form and nailed them into the backing of the arch and then glued the other side on for the form
- While making the ½” piece of the arch my saw stopped working so I decided to try another bending method with the ¼” piece, I tried the steam method for wood bending (using a steamer and literally steaming the wood to make it bend to your desired form)
- Using the steaming method I bent the wood around the mold and steamed it slowly to have it bend to fit then I Strapped some bungee cords to keep the arch in its shape over night so it can fully bend
- My saw decided to start working again. It looked like it was a battery issue so I went back to finish making the cuts to make it bend!
- I Realized I made the supports for my arch form were the wrong size so I had to go back and fix it
- When I went to fix the width of my first bent piece it ended up snapping so back to the saw I went
- I the went and attached the top of the arch by using my nail gun and wood glue to attach it permanently to the mold
- Just to recap I am curving two pieces of wood the ½ and the ¼ and i’m going to glue them together so there will be a thicker and a thinner piece
- Then added the ¼” piece to the ½” piece- I sild the ¼ piece in with the ½” piece and clamped them together then nailed them in
- After allowing to sit and dry arch is looking wonky so I used bondo filler to fix that and even it out
Step 4: Assembling Drawers
- Begin by stacking your cabinets in their intended position. Use clamps to hold them securely together to ensure alignment and stability.
- Measure the overall dimensions for the frame surrounding the stacked cabinets, ensuring there’s enough space for the drawers to fit and move freely.
- Cut the frame pieces to size and attach them to the stacked cabinets using a nail gun, ensuring everything is level and square.
- For each drawer, cut ¾” plywood for the sides and ½” plywood for the bottom. Assemble the drawer frame by attaching the four sides with wood glue and screws or nails, ensuring the frame is square.
- Secure the ½” plywood bottom to the drawer frame, completing the drawer construction.
- Attach the drawer slides to the cabinet frame and the sides of each drawer, ensuring proper alignment for smooth movement.
- Slide the completed drawers into place within the cabinet frame. Check that they glide smoothly and that the slides are properly aligned.
- For the door fronts, cut two pieces of plywood to the desired size. Apply wood glue between the two layers, clamp them together, and allow them to dry fully.
- Before working on the actual doors, practice on scrap wood to get the feel for hinge placement and cutting techniques
- Hinge Jig: Use a hinge jig to precisely position and cut the hinge recesses. This ensures your hinges will fit perfectly and align properly on both the doors and cabinet frame.
- Pre-Drill Screw Holes: For added accuracy, pre-drill holes for the screws that will attach the hinges to the doors. This helps prevent splitting the wood and makes installation easier.
- Attach the hinges to the doors, using the pre-drilled screw holes for a clean, secure fit.
- Attach the Doors to the Cabinet Frame: Position the doors on the cabinet frame, ensuring they are aligned and open/close smoothly. Secure them with screws through the hinges.
- Measure the doors for the glass inserts. I used plexiglass for this
- Instead of using four separate legs, measure and cut a solid base to support the entire structure. A base adds more stability and can also give the piece a more unified appearance.
Step 5: Final Touches
- Before we can begin painting I went and sanded the entire cabinet
- After sanding, ensure that all surfaces are smooth and even. You don’t want any noticeable rough patches, as they will show through the paint.
- Next is to prime, I used a paint sprayer for this step to ensure even coats
- After your primer is dry go back and sand it AGAIN so you get the most even coat
- After you’re done sanding again go ahead and paint your cabinet! Again I used my paint sprayer
- For the interior of the cabinet I wanted to keep the wood look so I used an oak peel and stick wallpaper
- Lastly, pick your knobs or handles and enjoy!
The Final Look
The finished arched cabinet is a perfect blend of history and function. The antique window now serves as a charming storage piece that holds small items like keys, mail, or vintage trinkets. The soft curve of the arch brings a touch of architectural interest to the space, and the cabinet’s weathered finish adds to its rustic appeal.
Creating this cabinet was a truly satisfying project. Not only did I give new life to an old, forgotten window, but I also created a unique and functional piece of furniture that tells a story. If you have an antique window gathering dust, I highly recommend considering a similar DIY project—you’ll be amazed at what a little creativity and some elbow grease can do!
Have you ever transformed an antique piece into something new? I’d love to hear about your projects in the comments below!
