Old bed sheets are one of those things that you donโt think twice about getting rid of. Once theyโre faded, worn, or just past their best, theyโre not fit for purpose for your bed โ so theyโre worthless, right?
Wrong. It turns out that there are actually tons of things you can do with old bed sheets rather than throwing them out. If youโre looking to cut down on waste and busy yourself with an exciting project or two this winter, check out some of these ingenious bed sheet reuse ideas.
1. Vintage aprons
Not everyone has bed sheets like the ones in this picture, but if you do, youโre going to want to use them to make these vintage aprons. Itโs as simple as possible โ you just need a needle and thread, and a pair of scissors. The video above will show you exactly how to make the project.
2. Homemade heating pad
Heating pads are a great comfort if youโre feeling under the weather or dealing with aches and pains. If you donโt want to splash out on one from the store, you can make your own with your old bed sheet. Just cut two identical rectangles and see three of these sides together. Then use dry beans or rice to fill the pouch, then microwave to heat up.
Source:
Gettin My Healthy On
3. Bed sheet plant cover
When winter hits and the temperature drops, you can turn your old bed sheets into a cover for your plants to prevent them from getting damaged by the cold. Just like the material holds in your own body heat, it can also hold in the heat of the plants and the soil. Place your sheet over a gardening frame for the nicest look.
Source:
One Good Thing By Jillee
4. Bulletin board cover
Bulletin boards are an essential for many households โ theyโre a place for storing shopping lists, notes, to-dos and calendar reminders. If youโre not a fan of the color of your bulletin board, you can make a cover out of a pretty bed sheet. Check out how to make this project here.
Source:
Kenarry
5. DIY crib mobile
You wouldnโt find this quirky bed mobile in a store. Using a variety of colorful old bedsheets, you can make a personalized mobile for your little boy or girl thatโll keep them entertained for hours. Thereโs a tutorial for the project here.
Source:
Sew She Sews
6. Car seat cover
If you have messy kids who insist on eating in your car, hereโs your solution! Keep your seats clean by placing an old sheet over them, protecting them from spillage and other children-related messes. A fitted sheet will work best here.
Source:
modestmaiden62
7. Pretty maxi dress
If you have a pretty bed sheet that youโre fed up with seeing it on your bed, give it a new lease of life and turn it into a maxi dress. Sewing clothes isnโt as tricky as it seems, so donโt be afraid to give it a go if you never have before! The video tutorial above will give you all the help you need.
8. Simple tote bag
Tote bags are ideal for taking with you on a trip to the shops or a walk outdoors with your family. Sewing your own tote bag is pretty easy โ you just need an old bed sheet, a needle and a thread, and a bit of patience! Watch the video tutorial before you get started.
9. Sleeping bag liner
If your old bed sheets are still in relatively good condition, put them to the side and save them for a sleeping bag liner. Just fold a sheet in half and sew the edges together, and youโve got yourself the perfect sleeping solution for camping trips. You can find out how to make this DIY project here.
Source:
One Good Thing By Jillee
10. Cute laundry bag
Whether you donโt have enough space for a laundry hamper in your room, or youโre planning a trip away and you want a place to store your used clothing, you can make your own laundry bag out of a bed sheet to use whenever you with. You can find the tutorial here.
Source:
Momtastic
11. Reusable shopping bags
If youโre all for doing your bit for the environment, reusable bags are the best way forward. This bag is even better because itโs been recycled from an old bed sheet. Bags are super easy to sew, and this video will show you the simple steps you need to take.
12. Homemade doll clothes
Anyone who has a doll-loving little boy or a girl in their lives will love this old bed sheets project. You can get as creative as you like with your doll clothes designs depending on the bed sheets you have to spare. You can find out how to get started with the project here.
Source:
The Spruce
13. Crafted shower curtain
This waterproof shower curtain has been made from an old bed sheet, and you wouldnโt even be able to tell. If you want to try this out yourself, all you need is a bit of basic sewing to get the job done. You can find a tutorial here.
Source:
Make And Takes
14. Floral spring dress
Spring might be a while away now, but if you have some old floral sheets to spare, you can get busy making a seasonal floral dress in advance. Obviously, the design has to be pretty enough to want to rock in public! Bed sheets have a lightweight material thatโs perfect for those warm spring days. Hereโs what you need to do.
Source:
Trevor Loves Mommy
15. Fun childrenโs teepee
If you can remember back to your childhood days, you probably recall how much you enjoyed making dens out of bed sheets and anything else you could get your hands on. Thatโs why this old bed sheet teepee is such a cool idea. Click here to find out how you can make it yourself.
Source:
Place Of My Taste
16. Crafting smock
Whether you or your little ones tend to get messy during crafting, you need a simple way to protect your clothes. Making a smock out of an old bed sheet is a simple and effective means of doing this. Itโs as easy as cutting a hole for your head and wearing it like a cape.
Source:
Pixabay
17. Pleated bed skirt
Weโve all seen beds in home stores and wondered how on earth they look so beautiful, while our own beds look a bit boring in comparison. One of the ways to add a pretty touch to a bed is to adorn it with a pleated bed skirt. Hereโs how you can make a DIY bed skirt out of an old bed sheet.
Source:
Driven By Decor
18. Outdoor tents
Hereโs another seasonal bed sheet idea that probably isnโt suitable for winter โ but you can make it ahead of time! These cuts outdoor tents for kids couldnโt be simpler to make. You just need a hula hoop, some sheets, and some other basic supplies. This blog post has a step-by-step of what you need to do.
Source:
Alanna George
19. DIY headband
The cool thing about most bedsheets is that they have a pretty pattern that can look beautiful when used for another purpose. Take a look at these oversized headbands, which were made with fabric from old sheets. If youโre looking for a simple tutorial, you can find it here.
Source:
Etsy
20. Shelf covers
Plain old shelves are a bit boring, especially if youโre a fan of pretty, girly decor. Consider making floral shelf covers out of your old bed covers for your living area and bedrooms. Theyโre bright and cheery, and add a wonderful color pop to any space.
Source:
BlogSpot
21. Draft catcher
Draft catchers are a pretty pointless purchase if you have everything you need to make one at home! Old bed sheets are perfect for this job because theyโre good at trapping heat and preventing the cold from getting in. You can learn how to make one here.
Source:
The Good Stuff
22. Pet bedding
Pet bedding comes at its own price, but itโs unlikely that your cat or dog will mind your old hand-me-downs! If youโre constantly trying to keep your pets off your bed, the answer might be to make them their own bed out of your old bed sheets. Now everyoneโs a winner!
Source:
homesogood
23. Furniture makeover
You probably never thought your old bed sheets would make a good furniture cover, but this photo is proof that they can! Old bed sheets are actually a great material for sprucing up a shabby dresser or wardrobe. This tutorial tells you how to make this project yourself.
Source:
Mod Podge Rocks
24. Table runners
โThose brightly colored sheets would make a beautiful spring or summer table runner. At the same time, you can use darker shades to make a runner for fall and winter, so if you have several sheets to work with, you can create a table runner for all four seasons,โ says DIY N Crafts. You could even add lace and other material for a fancy special occasion runner. Hereโs what to do.
Source:
Pinterest
25. Funky pajama bottoms
Pajamas are supposed to be fun and comfy, and bed sheets usually fit this same picture. Thatโs why old bed sheets can make the perfect pajama bottoms! The brighter and the funkier, the better. You can find out the best way to make this project here.
Source:
Ducky House
26. Duvet cover
You can sew two sheets together to make a duvet cover when the winter weather really kicks in. The best bit about this project is that you can pick two complementary sheets, such as a block-blue sheet and a white and blue floral sheet, to create a double-sided duvet cover. You can find the instructions here.
Source:
Pixabay
27. Sheet-covered hangers
You might have seen hangers like this selling for three times the price of bog-standard hangers in a store. But you can make them completely for free with old patterned bed sheets. You could even use multiple bed sheets that have patterns and colors that complement each other to prettify your wardrobe.
Source:
DIY & Crafts
28. Picnic blanket
Picnic blankets only really serve one job: they prevent you from getting dirt on your clothes when you sit on the floor. If you have a bed sheet thatโs pretty and colorful enough for the job, simply fold it up and place it in your trunk. Whenever you fancy a spontaneous picnic, you can take it straight out and set up immediately.
Source:
Decor Hub
29. Fabric gift wrap
A great way to cut down on paper waste from gift wrap is to make your own fabric gift wrap that can be used again and again. You can use multiple old bed sheets, with one as the actual wrapping and one as a pretty ribbon. Hereโs how you can make your own bed sheet fabric gift wrap.
Source:
Pinterest
30. Bedsheet hammock
Hammocks have a novelty about them that nobody can resist, and theyโre perfect for camping or even just relaxing in your back garden. Bed sheets are made from a strong enough material to be made into a hammock, and you can save a whole lot of money to make your own. Hereโs the full tutorial.
Source:
Practical Primitive
31. Floor-length curtains
Fitted bed sheets are almost destined to be certain in their second life. White sheets that let in a bit of light are especially pretty if you have a summery, beachy bedroom decor theme. The video tutorial shows you just how easy it is to make a pair of curtains from your unused sheets.
32. Drop cloths
This is another option for bed sheets that are too old to transform into something else โ just use them as drop cloths. Whenever you need to paint your house, simply pull out your old bed sheets and use them to line the floors and keep them clean and protected.
Source:
She Holds Dearly
33. Wall hoop art
Buying nursery furnishings adds up, but itโs easy to liven up the room with your own DIY creations. Try adding a little color using a variety of old bed sheets. You can learn how to make this vibrant DIY wall hoop art here.
Source:
Project Nursey
34. Party togas
College and university students will know all about using your bed sheet as a toga for a dress-up party! Itโs cheap and effective โ though not the most supportive of outfits. Relive your younger days and throw a toga party with your old white bed sheets.
Source:
Reddit
35. Funky handbag liner
Even if youโre not bold enough to have a bed sheet handbag, you can still make a colorful bed sheet liner for the inside of your handbag. You can protect the outside of your bag from spillage and even make the liner detachable for when you need to empty it out. This tutorial tells you everything you need to know.
Source:
Serger Pepper
36. Classic ghost costume
You donโt have to spend loads of money on a costume for Halloween! The spooky season has just passed us by, but if you happen to be thinking of next yearโs fancy dress already, you canโt go wrong with the classic bed sheet ghost. Cut a couple of holes for the eyes, and itโs job done.
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Flickr
37. Cleaning rags
Itโs simple but effective โ your old bed sheets make the perfect cleaning rags. Who needs actual cleaning rags when you have all that old fabric to spare? Cotton and even bamboo bed sheets are perfect for this job.
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Viralman
38. Cloth napkins
Instead of throwing away your napkins after every use, consider making cloth napkins out of old bed sheets instead. You can wash these and reuse them again and again. You can find the step-by-step instructions here.
Source:
Flickr
39. Double-sided placemats
Another interesting practical project for repurposing your old sheets for is to use them to make double-sided placemats. Just make sure youโve got some clean-looking sheets for this project! Find how to make them here.
Source:
Hometalk
40. Turn them into compost
If youโre a keen gardener, the best thing for your old bed sheets might be to turn them into compost. Simply cut them into small strips and place them on your compost pile. They should take 4 to 6 months to degrade.
Source:
The Zero-Waste Chef
41. Rustic quilt
If you have multiple old bed sheets that youโre considering tossing out, you can combine them together to make a rustic patched quilt. This just takes a bit of sewing, and youโll need a duvet to go inside. Make sure your quilting skills are tip-top and take a look at this resource before getting started.
Source:
DIY n Crafts
42. Fall leaves collecting
Youโve probably never thought of it, but old bed sheets are a great tool for getting rid of fallen leaves in your yard. All you need to do is place a bed sheet on the ground, then rake the leaves onto your sheet, pull the corners together, then carry the leaves to your compost bin.
Source:
The Old Farmer's Almanac
43. Homemade rag rug
This person showed how you can make a colorful rag rug out of your old bed sheets and other materials. You can completely tailor this to your own tastes, so visitors to your home get to enjoy a bit of your personality from your decor. Hereโs how to make one yourself.
Source:
Homesteading
44. Garment bag
When you have garments you want to protect, it doesnโt matter what you use for the job. An old bed sheet can easily be turned into a garment bag to cover up the clothes that you want to keep clean and pretty. Hereโs a tutorial on how to make one yourself.
Source:
Dr. Karen S. Lee
45. Bed sheet movie screen
Not all bed sheet projects require a whole lot of work. This project doesnโt actually require any work at all โ you just hang your sheet in your bedroom or living room and use it as a movie screen with your projector. Just make sure it doesnโt have any holes in it that might distort your image.
Source:
Little Lady Little City
46. Ironing cover
Old bed sheets are just the right sort of material to turn into an ironing cover. If youโre not a fan of the cover that came with your own ironing board, this project gives you a chance to get creative. Follow the step-by-step instructions here.
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Tilly And The Buttons
47. Fabric-covered bangle
Bangles can be a little boring when you buy them, and you can use bed sheets to add a bit of color to your own for a simple way to spice them up. Just take a plastic or wooden bangle and cover it with the fabric from your old sheets. Hereโs the tutorial for the project.
Source:
Sadie Seasongoods
48. Donate them
One personโs rags are another personโs riches. If you donโt need your bed sheets, but theyโre still in a great condition, consider giving them away in a garage sale. You could also consider them to your local thrift store.
Source:
One Good Thing By Jillee
49. Braided dog toy
Letโs face it, your dog doesnโt care whether you spend $20 on a toy for him or make one yourself. Heโs only going to chew it to pieces anyway, so an old bed sheet is naturally perfect for the job. Learn how to make a DIY braided dog toy out of a bed sheet in this video.
50. Bed sheet fort
Who said you had to make a proper teepee for your kids if forts are more your thing? Your children will love you getting involved in fort-making, and bed sheets are perfect for the job. Make things cozy on the inside with cushions and lanterns.
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Wikimedia
51. Fitted sheets
Fitted sheets are really easy to make โ you just need a little elastic thread and some spare time on your hands. These fitted sheets might not be the most exciting things in the world, but theyโre certainly practical! Hereโs how to make them.
Source:
Craftsy
52. Emergency car supply
You never know when you might find yourself in trouble while on the road, which is why itโs a wise idea to have an emergency kit in your car just in case. An old bedsheet is a good supply to have for multiple reasons. You can use it to keep your knees clean if you have to get down on the floor and change a tire, clean up stains, or keep you warm if you have to sleep in your car.
Source:
Ellsworth
53. Grocery bag holder
This bed sheet grocery bag holder is ideal for neatly storing your bags away when theyโre not in use. It gives you a simple way to grab a bag when you need one, without the fuss of rummaging around in a cupboard. You can watch the video to learn how to make this useful project.
54. Bird nesting material
Not all bed sheets are in a good enough condition to be repurposed into something else. In this case, you can cut them up into small strips and place them in your yard during spring. Birds will collect the fabric and use it as a material for their nests, making them not only comfortable, but also more colorful.
Source:
Penick.net
55. Customized pillowcases
Finally, you donโt have to take your old bed sheets too far from the bed if you donโt want to! You can turn your sheets into custom pillowcases rather than buying new ones for your bed. Just cut equal sizes of your sheets to the size you want your pillow to be, sew around the edges, then turn them inside out.
Source:
Just Quilty
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