This No-Sew Hack Lets You DIY a New Throw Pillow in 5 Minutes for Less Than $10

There are a few harsh truths about adulthood that no one ever seems to warn you about: the amount of time you spend scheduling appointments, how often you really need to clean your shower, and how expensive throw pillows can be.

While mixing up your throw pillow setup is an easy way to refresh your couch, and far more affordable than replacing the couch would be, it can still run you quite a bit of money—especially if you have a long couch with lots of pillows, like the one shown above.

That’s why I was so amazed and delighted when I stumbled across this TikTok hack, which is a pretty genius way to get around the expense of new pillows.

User @kourtneynilsen discovered that cloth placemats are the perfect size to cover rectangular throw pillows. For the hack, she grabbed a two-layer cloth placemat and a pillow she already had. Then, she made a straight cut on the back layer of the placemat, right down the center, which allowed her to squeeze the pillow inside.

Then… she was done! While she notes that you could sew up the back if it bothers you, that step is totally unnecessary here. And the results look seriously impressive!

The key to pulling off this hack is to find a cloth placemat that has two layers. If you’re shopping online, try searching for “reversible” cloth placemats, like these, which will have two layers of fabric. You can find plenty of sets for $15 or less, and many individual options for $10 or less each.

The only other materials you’ll need are a pair of scissors and a pillow you’re ready to cover. In less than five minutes, you’ll have a whole new look for your couch.