5 Reasons To Turn Old Clothes Into Homeware Accessories

It’s estimated that three out of five pieces of clothing are discarded within a year of being produced; an alarming statistic that is contributing to 92 million tonnes of textile waste being created every single year.

But as the issue of sustainability becomes more and more discussed, it’s becoming increasingly common for people to find ways to reuse and recycle old clothes. One way to do this is to turn old, unwanted items of clothing into bespoke homeware accessories.

Old clothes are perfect for items such as:

• Cushion covers
• Photo frames
• Blankets or quilts
• Wall ornaments

Here are 5 reasons why you should consider turning old clothes into homeware accessories.

Cost

First of all, one of the most obvious reasons why people try to upcycle old items is to save money. If you’re in need of a new cushion cover for example, why invest in an expensive product from a retailer when you could create your own out of old clothes that no longer fit you?

While you may need to invest a little bit of time into a YouTube tutorial, that’s generally where the costs end. You’ll need a few sewing materials if you don’t already own any but other than that, just grab an old pair of jeans or cargo pants and let your DIY skills do the rest.

The Planet

As already mentioned, sustainability has become a hot topic in recent years, leading people to question if they are overconsuming. In simple terms, overconsumption occurs when we buy too much, often putting more strain on our planet’s natural resources when asked to keep up with the demand for new products.

Instead of purchasing a new blanket or quilt from your local high street or online, see if you’ve got any old garments made of materials that would be great for a DIY version. Fleeces and denim garments can be transformed into warm, comfortable quilts that will keep you warm in the winter.

On trend

Second-hand items or upcycled items might’ve once been looked down on, but that’s certainly not the case anymore. Possibly driven by the increasing pressure to lead more sustainable lives, products that help the environment have become on trend. Nothing highlights this more than the declining popularity of fast fashion.

So whether you’ve recently been on board with upcycling or not, its increasing popularity may be enough to entice you into a whole new world.

Mental health

While creating your own homeware accessories out of old clothing is rewarding in terms of saving the planet and saving money, it’s also mentally rewarding to be able to learn a new skill or put your existing DIY skills into practice.

Studies have found that arts and crafts are a great hobby to improve mental health, helping to relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression and loneliness. So if you can’t be motivated by sustainability or monetary factors, consider the impact that upcycling could have on your state of mind.

Personalised

Upcycling allows you to own truly one-of-a-kind items that won’t be found in any other home. Something that can’t be said for items bought from a retailer. The beauty of upcycling is that even if someone else has the same idea as you, you’ll both execute the idea differently leading to unique creations.

This also makes upcycling a great option for gifts. While you’ll find many gift ideas online, you won’t find a photo frame backed in one of your child’s old baby grows!