9 Fun Ways To Repurpose A Bed Skirt In Your Home And Garden
Bed skirts may seem old-school but they're still a nice accessory to decorate and layer a bed. They give you the chance to dress up the bottom part just like you do with the top and provide coverage for any stuff you might have under the bed. Whether you're getting new ones or moving away from using them completely, you'll be happy to know that there are other ways you can put your old bed skirts to work around your home and garden. They can be repurposed into upholstery fabric, curtains, and even a spot for your furry friend.
Something to note first is that there are different types of bed skirts. There is the traditional one which is just like a sheet but with the additional fabric that hangs down, and there is the detachable kind. The one you have will determine what kind of repurposing project you can take on since the amount of fabric available to you will be different. The fastening also matters because some might have straps or elastic bands to keep them fastened to the bed. For instance, a detachable bed skirt with an elastic band can easily become a table skirt while a traditional, full one may give you more than enough material for an apron or two.
Use it as a table curtain
One way to repurpose a bed skirt is to use it as a table skirt. Table skirts are useful when you want to cover the table legs to make the piece look more elegant, or when you want to cover shelves underneath to hide clutter. This can work in virtually any space where you have such a table, but a popular place to use a table skirt is on a kitchen island with open shelving. To DIY, just trim down the skirt to fit around your table and hang it securely with a rod or by using hidden pins.
Use it as a tablecloth
Similarly, bed skirts can be used to cover the whole table. With some trimming and hemming, you can make it fit your table neatly. Depending on the style and condition of your bed skirt, this DIY tablecloth can be used for serving meals in the dining room on special occasions or to protect tables during craft projects and messy BBQs. It can also be used for easy cleanup with tasks like potting or repotting plants or cleaning your gardening tools.
Make it into a pet bed
One tip to keep your home stylish when you have pets is to provide them with furniture that fits in with the design. Whether you've just removed that bed skirt from your bed or it's an old one that's been in storage, chances are it still matches your taste. So, repurpose it into a pet bed that can be used inside or outside. Cut out two pieces of the bed skirt and sew them into a pocket, put a washable pillow inside, and sew a zip on the open end so the cover is easy to take off.
Use it as upholstery fabric for your chair
Have an old living room sofa or garden chair? Reupholstering it with a bed skirt may be just what you need to refresh it and bring it back to life. The best material for this is a thick fabric. First, drape it over the seat and cut it out to match the shape, leaving a bit more fabric than the size of the chair because you'll need to tuck that under. Next, stretch the material over so it's tight and without wrinkles, and nail or staple the extra fabric in place in the back.
Use it as quilt backing or add it to an existing quilt
You can make a quilt from sheets, so try doing it with a bed skirt in a pattern you like. It's good if it's 100% cotton so it's easy to combine with other fabrics, however it can be any material as long as you make sure you use the same type for the quilt top. Another fun way to repurpose a bed skirt that involves quilting is to cut out a piece of it. This is a perfect use for unique skirt that you don't use anymore, like an old vintage one that has embroidery, lace, or tulle on it.
Turn it into a canopy for a bed
Add a classic, unique touch to a bed by adding a canopy for it with a bed skirt. If it's a toddler or twin size bed, a queen or king-sized skirt should be big enough to envelop the top. First, attach a rod to the wall or the ceiling above the bed. Then, sew the top of the skirt to create a pocket to pass the rod through. Note that this is best with a thin, lightweight bed skirt material like linen or muslin because you need the canopy to be breathable.
Make it into a pillow cover
Similar to the pet bed, you can turn a bed skirt into a pillow cover. Depending on the material you're working with, you can use it for your bed pillows or to make decorative ones for the living room. You're making the cover so you can customize the dimensions to any insert you choose. You can make big, supportive lumbar or bolster pillows for the couch, or small, round pillows if you need something more decorative for a reading nook or patio chair.
Sew it into an apron
Another fun way you can repurpose a bed skirt is to sew it into an apron. Whether it's for use in the kitchen or outside while gardening, aprons come in handy and they don't have to cost you much either. With a bed skirt or two, create an apron shape, cut it out, sew up the edges, and add a neck strap and ties for the sides. You can also add one or two pockets on the front to hold things as you move around. If you don't have enough fabric, mix in some other scrap materials like old sheets.
Make it into a curtain
Bed skirts can also come in handy as curtains on bathroom windows, outside on the porch as a covering, in the shed as a makeshift door, or for any other unusual way to decorate with curtains. To DIY, cut the bed skirt to the size you want and sew or tape it to create a channel at the top for the rod to go through. The bed skirt is already hemmed at the bottom so that's one less thing to do. Ensure you choose the right material for the purpose. For instance, linen can be used as a light porch covering while heavier bedskirt materials can be used for privacy in a bathroom.