Reuse Curtains In These 9 Creative Ways For Streamlined Bedroom Accent Decor

Window dressings not only provide us with the element of privacy that is essential to any home, but they are also integral to pulling together our personal aesthetic. Naturally then, as our style changes, so must our curtains. However, perhaps you still like the pattern or color of the curtains, just not as window coverings. Well, one of the many perks of that reality is that it offers a cornucopia of ways to upcycle that beautiful material into a variety of sophisticated accents for the bedroom decor of our dreams. From a covered headboard to a luxe bedroom rug, there are lots of creative ways to give your outdated curtains a modern upgrade. Using multiple of these ideas in one room will streamline the design.

High-quality drapery fabric offers several advantages when it comes to repurposing projects. Generally more durable, blended materials in curtains may also offer a sumptuous texture, making your upcycled bedroom accessories that much more elegant. This means that these projects will not only give another life to the, perhaps, once-popular window treatments that are now dating your home – they'll also add some panache to your bedroom.

Fabric-cloaked headboards provide softness and texture to your bedroom. Stylish and eye-catching, adding that soft backdrop to the head of your bed also creates a comfortable surface on which to cozy up with a book or the remote control. Create the look by gluing foam onto the piece of wood you're using as your headboard. Then, wrap the front with a layer of batting before wrapping the whole thing with your upcycled curtain. Secure with heavy duty staples on the back, and you'll have an elegant accessory for your space.

Closet doors are certainly a tried and true way to separate your clothes storage from the rest of your room. But imagine breaking out of the "door" box and covering the doorway of your closet with curtains instead. Depending on your existing doors, it may help you save a little extra room. And with the right fabric, curtain closet doors add texture and style to your space, giving your closet an elegant, almost regal upgrade. Run a tension bar in the doorway of your closet to hang your curtain, and you've got a whole new bedroom vibe.

Creating seating in a bedroom may not rank top among your decorative priorities, but when you consider that an ottoman or bench can add storage, provide a comfy place to put on your shoes, and even give you a surface to lay out your style options for the day, this item in your bedroom starts to sound like a pretty fantastic idea. Use your repurposed curtains as upholstery and turn a bench or an old ottoman into your new favorite bedroom furnishing.

A bed full of pillows is just one of the ways you can create an opulent look in your bedroom. Using a variety of styles and textures will only level up the luxe effect, but rather than invest in specialty throw pillows, why not make your own? Fashion your old curtains into an envelope-style pillow case by creating an extra long pillow case, then simply tucking the open end into the back behind your pillow.

If you happen to have light, sheer curtains that once served to diffuse the light coming into your room, you might just have the perfect material to create a soft, romantic-feeling bed canopy. Creating the look is as easy as hanging the curtains above your bed. There are specialty hanging systems available, like this Beyeutao Wooden Bed Canopy Frame that comes in at less than $30. Or, you could just repurpose a shower curtain rod.

Since your bedroom is not an especially high-traffic area, creating a stylish rug from your old drapery is a great way to add some style, color, or texture to your room. It can also help protect your flooring. It's a simple project that just requires adhering a non-slip mat to your curtain material. Of course, you could go a step further and create an extra soft rug by adding some cushion between the mat and your upcycled drapery.

Rather than covering your headboard with your curtains, you could create a dramatic, elegant design element in your bedroom by simply hanging your curtains on the wall behind your bed. Use a taut wire to span the space, and then thread your curtains on at ceiling height. This will give you a striking, multi dimensional effect while simultaneously softening the look of your bedroom. It will also allow you to introduce pattern, color, and texture into the space.

That long piece of fabric that's sometimes stretched across the foot of the bed is usually associated with luxury. This is perhaps because the trend began with hotels using runners to protect the bedding from luggage that had been through countless hands and vehicles. But it didn't take long for designers and decorators to notice the value a runner brings in terms of style. Cut, fold, and sew (or even hot glue) your curtains into a long, rectangular shape to add a serious touch of class to your bedroom without a serious investment.

Repurposing old curtains into lampshades is an inspired way to bring a little extra style to your bedroom while saving your old window dressing from the landfill (and, perhaps, saving a little money). Cut your curtains to the appropriate length, then adhere them to an existing lampshade with glue. Or, strip the old shade from its frame, and attach your curtains in its place. Pairing this idea with another using the same fabric will create a cohesive look in your bedroom.