Trying to be more conscious about giving away old rugs is wonderful. However, some olden carpets that have become overworn could end up offering issues rather than being useful. So, now that you know this, the next question is – how to repurpose an old rug and make the most out of it.
Your rugs have unquestionably helped to make your life easier for a while. They contributed to the calm environment you experienced by providing warmth, comfort, and beauty as well as easing the physical strain brought on by walking or standing on hard floors when you are barefoot.
Old rugs that aren’t too big can be relocated around your house with ease, including to the garage, laundry room, or kitchen. However, a large one can be difficult to move, so you need to come up with ways to make it helpful. Whatever your objective, recycling an old rug is a fantastic method to lessen your impact on the environment.
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<<Looking for lovely motifs and designs? Take a look at these gorgeous classroom rugs and transform your classroom into an exciting learning haven.
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Why should you recycle?
As we said earlier, reutilizing the rug and carpet cut the impact on the surrounding by lessening the load in landfills. A big percentage of materials used in rugs are synthetic which when slowly degrading also leaks dangerous chemicals into the ground.
Throwing rugs and carpets every year adds up to the number of negative side effects the earth is facing today. Even when rugs are incinerated, they still release harmful pollutants like lead, mercury, and dioxin. This process also sends a damaging effect on the residents of the neighborhood where incinerators are located.
Thanks to your decision to repurpose, you help save Mother Nature. It may surprise you to discover a lot of different ways you can repurpose your rug at home or in the classroom.
Benefits of Repurposing
- Repurposing is recycling which overall means reducing waste.
- Repurposing helps prevents world pollution.
- Repurposing conserves life and natural resources.
- Repurposing supports the conservation of energy.
- Repurposing is a great way to create jobs and contribute to economic growth.
How to Repurpose an Old Rug
1) Hang it on your Wall
Simply hang it on a wall or empty spot. A colored or patterned rug can undoubtedly improve the atmosphere of your room. Additionally, you might choose to make a display outside your home to cover the garage wall, use it as a hanging rug on a treehouse, or transform it into a tapestry. If the rug has a stain, don’t worry; you can cover it with coordinating fabric and it will still appear distinctive.
2) Use it as a furniture covering
Cover the rug material art over furniture. This is particularly helpful in giving life to a wooden bench in the garden or furniture outdoors. This trick is also useful for protecting your stuff from dust to covering the surface of your workbench to prevent small items from rolling away. Placing an old rug underneath also keeps your tools from breaking.
3) To Redefine an old chair
Pick a chair in your living area that needs to be redefined and reupholster it using your old rug. You’re hitting two birds in one stone by creating a new look chair and getting it for free. There are DIY tools to help you do the chair. Whether it’s a neutrally-colored rug or something with a vibrant motif, it will create a focal point in your receiving room.
4) As charming table runners
Yes, you can make table runners out of your old rug. Decorating like this has been a practice for centuries for its royalty appeal and class. To me, the effect is extraordinary and it’s extremely charming. It can bring a smile to everyone’s face. Just as table runners help improve the ambiance of your table, I find them terrific on a backyard table. Restaurant owners would be in love with this idea.
5) As children’s individual poufs
Why not turn the rug into smaller versions and give each child their individual sit-on piece? If it has illustrations of letters, numbers, animals, flowers, trees, or shapes; cut them up accordingly. This is a perfect idea for a bath rug, too. Such a novel way to make an old rug useful for both young and adults. I can see the fun in the faces of the children!
Important: When cutting rugs, the unfinished or open cuts on the edge can be a safety hazard for tripping or can cause the rug to unravel. Bring it to a carpet professional for fixing.
6) Turn It Into Coverlets
Rugs that are thin, fluffy, or flowing nonetheless make excellent coverlets. For an added layer of warmth or decoration, spread them out throughout your living room. Connect and create lovely rag rugs for the home if you enjoy sewing or simple creative projects. If you don’t know how to sew, the best approach to making a collection of coverlets is to upcycle an old rug.
7) As Dog and Kitty Mats
Pets should be among the recipients of your old rug since I really believe they deserve the best. Finding the finest blanket for your dog or cat saves you time and money. They will be thrilled to receive their very own mats that are custom made for them. Even leftovers might make a nut feel at ease. Do you believe that your pet has the right to live in luxury as well?
8) Create uniform doormats
If you have a really large rug, great! Turn it into doormats. You will love to see a uniform foot rug all over your place. Lay down the rug on the floor and cut following the marking line you have drawn. Use a carpet knife or cutter for a thick rug. If the rug is thin, you may easily cut it with shears.
Important: The unfinished or open cuts on the edge of the rug can be a safety hazard for tripping or can cause the rug to unravel. Bring it to a carpet professional for fixing.
9) A rag for your trunk
Not only an old rag is useful in catching dirt but in helping protect your trunk from damage. You can take the rug out and shake the dirt off. Thanks to your old rug, you can carpet all the floors inside your car and enjoy its many benefits. An old rug also makes an excellent weather mat to keep under your feet during the rainy season.
10) As mat or holder cut-outs
Rugs typically are wonderfully designed that you can form into holder cutouts. You can use them as beermats, coasters, pot holders, table decorative pieces, cosmetics mats, or even mousepads. Rug coasters can flawlessly stop hot drinks from burning the table surface. It is very entertaining. This I think is the easiest and highly functional way to create a holder collection.
11) Design tote bags
Figure out if your old rug has the flowiness suitable for a bag. Form a rectangle, sew up the sides and attach anything you can think of for the straps. A rope, a few braided Rafia rolls, large ribbons, cut-out linen, or an old strap of a bag will do. The result is actually a cool-looking tote bag that you can use for shopping, errand, or casual event in school. Promise, it’s quick, easy, and a lot of fun!
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Here are 4 ideas you can try. Watch the video.
Be Inspired!
There are many other fantastic things you can do with old rugs Any idea you have should go. It’s your rug, it’s your style, show it off, and be proud of your masterpieces. Take a look at rugs lying in just one corner of your house. Get them out, include everyone and start repurposing.
If you don’t have the time to do any of the above and your rug isn’t that presentable enough to give to a friend, find a recycling entity. There should be one facility in your area that focuses on sustainable solutions. Remember the estimated 5 billion pounds of old carpet and rugs that go to waste and landfills.
As a teacher, you have the power to help save the earth.
Do you have other suggestions about repurposing old rugs? Share them with us in the comment. Even a single idea is worth saving our environment.
