Change can be a constant thing—we all change our clothes, of course, but of the at-home decorators I know, all of them (yes, every single one of them) say phooey to rooms that don't change in some way over the course of a month, a year (a lease, a sublet...). If you've got a hankering for a change in the bedroom—in decor, that is, not in the company you keep!—find our suggestions for re-purposing old sheets after the jump.
Fabrics, when priced per yard at the design showrooms or in the Garment District, can often be pricey. Embrace the color and pattern of used bed sheets and try them in one of the following applications:
- Window treatments. Fold over six inches of the uppermost edge of the bed sheet and sew. Run a tension rod through the new loop and secure above the windows. Makes a bright, vivid panel.
- Chair upholstery. For much-trafficked uses (chairs, sofas, etc.), make sure to double up fabric before upholstering. Many chair cushions from inexpensive furniture can be easily removed; pull bedding tightly over the cushion and secure with a staple gun.
- Ironing board cover. A staple gun comes in handy again—secure bedding to underside of an ironing board. If it's particularly colorful/stylish, keep the ironing board in plain view in the laundry/mudroom.
- Pet bed lining. A particularly cute idea if you also have scraps to make small pet pillows or toys.
- Bulletin board cover. Purchase a bulletin board at any office supplies store and cut bedding so it fills the whole sheet of cork, edge to edge. Secure with glue or staple gun. Makes a happier home for cards, invites and shopping lists.
- Artwork. If you've got funky, modern bedding, buy three blank canvases (any size square or rectangle works) at an art supplies store. Wrap each in sheets and secure on the backside; the DIY triptych will brighten up any space that needs a punch.
Do you have more ideas to add to the list?
Related: 10 Ways to Recycle Your Old Towels and Sheets
(Image: Crate and Barrel)
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That's what I do with mine when I have the time and energy.
I make pajamas out of the top sheets.
See if you can wash and donate them to a shelter or wildlife rehab facility. As a rehabber we couldn't use towels because the tiny loops can get caught on baby birds' feet and break their legs. A plain sheet is perfect for animal cages and carriers.
Some places may be restricted by law not to take used material, but many have used sheets on their wishlist.
Great ideas! I actually make bags out of old sheets (& curtains & clothes), and sell them at craft shows and on Etsy. There are so many great colors and patterns to work with - and finding them is half the fun!
Double-up the flat sheet, hem it, and make a simple table cloth.
We also wrap our headboard (it's a giant pillow) in the flat sheet. It makes cleaning the headboard easier.
When the sheets are really far gone we use them as drop cloths for projects.
I have a paper-towel-free house and cut very old worn sheets into squares for yucky jobs.
miriamc has the best idea. i admire a paper-towel free home. old cut up sheets could double as cloth napkins if hemmed decently or at least kept free of edge fuzzies or strings. there's nothing better than a soft cloth napkin.
How many people have an ironing board to which you can STAPLE a sheet? If you have an wooden ironing board it's vintage and you won't want to abuse it with staples. Sew a channel and put elastic through it.
With a house full of kids and not much money, my mother used to cut worn sheets in half and sew a flat seam making the less-worn outside edges the new middle. We all grew up to be pretty normal adults without Pottery Barn Kids sheets...
You can cut them down to make fitted crib sheets, too.
My dog's crate has a removable plastic tray-type thing as a floor, and I discovered that it's the perfect size for slipping an old pillowcase over. Besides as dog bedding and cleaning rags, is there anything else I can do with sheets that are horribly pilled?
We use old bedding for our dogs' crate. I also like to donate old bedding/towels to animal rescues.
I use older twin-sized fitted sheets as tablecloths for picnic tables. They work great and with all four corners tucked over the edges, they are wind-proof. The sheets made for kids are great for kid's outdoor parties, too. And clean-up is easy - just toss them in the washer.
I have used my queen flat sheets as sleep sacks. I travel frequently and many beds/sheets aren't up to my standards. Just fold a flat sheet in half & sew the bottom & one side so it makes a sack for you to crawl into. I have also used this on long flights for a travel blanket, overnight train rides etc. If you want to get more creative you can make a small sack above your head for a travel pillow to fit into. Old blankets can also be sewn this way to make cozy sacks to wear for lounging at home, outdoor sporting events etc. You can also use them to make your own "snuggie".
You can use the still good part of a worn sheet for wrapping paper. When do this the receiver typically gives it back to me to use again. You can also make wine bottle gift bags. And, of course, napkins. We don't use paper napkins.