Experts Share 13 Clever Ways to Reuse Old Sheets and Blankets Around the House
These creative and practical ideas give your textiles a second act.
If you have a few sets of sheets in the linen closet that you haven't touched in ages, you're far from alone. Many people hang onto sheets and blankets even if they're worn-out or simply don't match the home's style anymore. But instead of letting them take up space in the closet, why not transform them into something new? We tapped experts to share ways to reuse sheets and blankets, from making them into tablecloths to transforming them into a cozy bed for your pet. Some of these ideas—like transforming old sheets into paper towels or using them to wrap gifts—can even save you some money over time.
If you know how to sew, there are practically endless possibilities for things you can do with old sheets and blankets. But if you don't have this skillset, don't worry: There are plenty of no-sew ways to upcycle these fabrics into something you'll actually use.
Below, experts share their favorite ways to reuse old sheets and blankets. If you're looking for more ideas to help you make the most of your cast-off household textiles, read up on ways to upcycle old tablecloths and ideas for what to do with linens.
Your Pets Will Love A Cozy New Bed
Production designer James Pearse Connelly , who's worked for clients like Bad Bunny and Kelly Clarkson, says your fur baby might benefit from your old sheets. “Old bedding works great for dog beds,” Connelly shared. “Dogs love the smell of their owners, and it’s a great way to keep the dog’s space fresh and recycled.”
Tablecloth
“I’ve even repurposed bed sheets as tablecloths,” says Connelly. “For less expensive or uniquely shaped tables, a bed sheet can work just as well as a tablecloth—and even offer a softer or more interesting texture.”
RELATED: The Best Bedding: Sheets, Pillows, and Comforters Sleep Experts Recommend
Wrapping Gifts Has Never Been Easier
Star Taylor, owner of Sage Allue Events and Decor, advises saving your old bedding to reuse over the holidays. She suggests turning the fabric into squares for Japanese-style furoshiki wrapping, then adding ribbons and handmade gift tags for a warm, personalized feel. “This works especially well for thinner fabrics such as bed sheets, shams or pillow cases,” she says.
Donate Them To Animal Shelters
Stephanie Griffith, the founder of BleuBully Bedding, suggests creatively repurposing old bedding by donating it. "Animal shelters need old bedding, towels and blankets to help keep the animals warm,” she explains.
Your Fave Sheets Just Became Your Fave Pillow
Doug Conner, a home improvement expert from Universal Windows Direct of New Jersey, suggests repurposing old duvet covers into pillowcases and throws for a guest bedroom. It's a simple way to freshen the space without a complete redesign instantly.
RELATED: The Best Pillows, According to Extensive Testing
Create A Gallery Wall
Conner also suggests turning old bedding into charming wall panels. For a former client, he shared that a patterned comforter was carefully stretched over canvas frames, transforming the space into a one-of-a-kind, budget-friendly gallery wall that adds personality to a living area.
Make Curtains Or Drapes
Nicole Foster of Foster Hill Design suggests transforming old bedding into drapes by simply splitting the seams. Depending on the size, you can open it up to make a basic rod-pocket panel, perfect for a child's room or sun porch.
Give Your Kitchen Table A Refresh
Foster also suggests using old bedding as a table runner. It’s such a simple and creative solution. She mentions that making decorative table runners is quite easy, and since bedding is usually long, it’s perfect for the longer pieces needed. You can even add a lovely touch with ribbon trim to customize it further.
More Ideas For Your Kitchen Table
Lastly, Foster says that, depending on the bedding size and whether it is in good shape, it can be transformed into even more kitchen items, such as tablecloths, place mats or napkins.
Upholster Existing Furniture
Sheila Blanton, a former fashion designer who now owns Loni M Designs loves incorporating upcycling into her creative process. One of her suggestions is to repurpose old bedding to upholster items like stools, ottomans or even children’s furniture, adding a charming, eco-friendly touch to any space.
Frame Sentimental Pieces
Alfonsina Romero, an interior designer and founder of ARNY—renowned for warm minimalist interiors—recommends framing old blankets, quilts or bedding instead of discarding them. If a piece holds sentimental value, cropping and framing a clean section can preserve the memory while avoiding keeping the whole item.
Make An Apron And Oven Mitts
I really like this idea from Blanton! Turning your old sheets and blankets into adorable aprons and oven mitts is a fun, eco-friendly project.
Ditch the Paper in Paper Towels
Sarah Ramakar is the proud owner of Marley's Monsters, a sustainability brand that creates products from fabric scraps, transforming leftover materials into a variety of useful items like cotton rounds, sponges and reusable paper towels. “Reusable paper towels offer a sustainable replacement for single-use rolls, reducing household waste with every wash-and-reuse cycle," says Ramakar.
Ronny Maye is an award-nominated versatile writer from Eastern North Carolina with a focus on travel and lifestyle. She started sharing her adventures to create a space and encourage marginalized yet curious people to see the world around them. Her favorite things to write about are cultural experiences, wellness, service-oriented pieces, hidden gem destinations, travel trends, cocktail culture, and reviews. She has contributed to publications such as Essence, Insider, Real Simple, Yahoo Canada, Reader's Digest UK, The Points Guy, Fodor's Travel, AAA Living, Forbes, Matador Network, VisitJax, Orlando Magazine, Tampa Magazine, Discover Durham, and more.
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