10 Genius Ideas To Repurpose Thrifted Vintage Clothing To Use Around The House

Thrifting is a fun way to furnish and decorate your home, change up your style, or even make a profit, but not everything you find can be a winner. While there are some valuable items to buy when thrifting, clothing usually isn't at the top of the list. If you brought some vintage clothes home from the thrift store thinking they would look cute or might be sellable only to discover they're too damaged or stained, you can repurpose them instead. Give any vintage clothes that can't be worn a second life by turning them into everything from beautiful wall art to functional storage solutions.

Thrift stores tend to have a little bit of everything, so there's no telling what vintage clothes you might find. Vintage clothing can run the gambit from beautiful cardigans to full length ball gowns and even spandex from the '80s, but it's all usable. Not necessarily for the same projects, though. When deciding what vintage clothes to repurpose, you should consider the type of fabric used. The synthetic fabrics that were popular in the '60s and '70s can be more difficult to work with. Some types can slip away from scissors, fray more easily, and will melt rather than burn when exposed to fire. This makes them a better fit for projects that don't require cutting and won't be near heat. Use your thrifted cotton tees for candle holder decor or plant ties and leave the synthetics for wreaths or wall art instead.

You can reuse vintage silk scarves to cover your windows, but any vintage clothing can be turned into curtains with a bit of effort. Pick out some vintage clothes with a nice color or design while thrifting, then cut and sew them together to make a large rectangular panel. For a traditional window you'll need two or more equal panels, but a single panel may cover a small window. Since the items are thrifted, you may not have enough matching fabric for a solid colored curtain. Lean into this by making it layered or patchwork for rustic charm.

If your walls are looking a little sparse, thrift some vintage clothes and make wall art. Clothes with a simple pattern or solid color can make a nice backing for a framed photo. If the fabric is distinct enough, like the bold patterns of the '80s, you may want to frame it alone. You can also cut shapes out of the cloth and attach them to pieces of cardboard or wood with fabric glue to create a picture or abstract design. If the clothes aren't visually exciting enough, use bleach or fabric dyes to alter the colors.

Making rag rugs is a great way to reuse vintage clothes, and it has a strong historical precedent. Rag rugs have been used to recycle clothing and save money for over a century. When you look through the thrift store for a vintage graphic tee or old work shirt that can be torn into strips and woven, crocheted, or tied together into a rug, you're joining a long tradition of crafters. Any type of fabric can be used, so this is a great way to use any synthetic fabrics from the '60s or '70s.

A patchwork quilt or blanket made of vintage thrifted clothing is a great way to make your home extra cozy. If you picked up some graphic tees from the '60s or later, use the front of the shirt as one panel to preserve the design. Solid colors and geometric patterns will also look nice, and you can mix and match them for a completely unique look. Use neat, even squares, have fun with more unusual shapes based on which parts of the clothes are still in good condition, or do a mix of both.

Need more places to put all the other knickknacks and decor you picked up while thrifting? You can repurpose vintage clothing into a variety of storage options. Baskets can be made more or less the same way you would make a rug. Weaving the strips into a taller, narrower shape makes a cute desk organizer or vase as well. To preserve the vintage patterns, you can also cut larger sections out of the clothing and stretch it over a shelf or magazine rack. If you thrifted vintage belts, you can even use them to support the shelf.

Door wreaths are another excellent way to reuse any thrifted vintage clothes that aren't a great fit for other crafts. From shiny rayon to delicate lace, any type of fabric can be used. The same goes for size: you can use vintage handkerchiefs to make a wreath all the way up to a vintage wedding dress. The fabric just needs to be wrapped around the wreath base and tied, glued, sewn, or otherwise secured in place. Cutting the vintage clothes into strips makes this easier but you can also leave the clothes intact if you'd prefer.

If your plants are growing too tall and need to be staked, or you're trying to grow them over trellis, you'll need plant ties to secure them. They should be soft and slightly stretchy to avoid hurting the plant, which is what makes vintage cotton clothing the perfect material. Simply cut the clothing into long strips and use them to tie the plant to the support. You can also use vintage clothing that isn't cotton, but you should avoid using fabric that is rough or delicate. Save your thrifted denim jeans and cashmere sweaters for another project!

Vintage clothes can be repurposed into cozy yet functional pillows or pillow covers. If you want to use the pillows regularly, choose clothes that are a texture you enjoy. Soft wool sweaters or cotton dresses are good choices. For a more decorative pillow, look for vintage clothes with bright colors or interesting sequins and beadwork. The '60s and '70s are a good decade to aim for that, but sequins have been around for centuries so who knows what you'll find when thrifting. You can even make tiny pillows out of the leftover scraps for extra decor.

If you love the way your candles smell but aren't fond of the glass or label, use your thrifted vintage clothes to cover them. Socks are the easiest to use, and if you find any that have been darned or patched in other colors they'd look particularly rustic and nice. The sleeves from a long sleeved shirt or strips from cozy vintage sweaters will also work nicely. Slip it over the candle holder or wrap it around and glue them down if you're using strips. Vintage buttons, ribbons, or lace would make a nice finishing touch.

Houseplants bring a soothing vibe to any room, but basic pots are pretty boring. There are a few ways to use thrifted vintage clothing to dress them up. If the fabric is thin, like a light summer dress or dress shirt, you may be able to decoupage the pot with it. Alternatively, try sewing the fabric closed at the bottom and make a basket for the planter. Another option if you don't want to preserve the pattern is to cut the vintage clothes into strips, braid them around the planter, and glue them down.