Repurposing and Decorating with Scarves

Last Updated on May 24, 2022 by Ellen Christian

Have you ever wondered how to repurpose scarves? Learn more about decorating with scarves and what to do with ones you no longer want.

Over the years, I’ve collected dozens of scarves. Some I still wear. But, some are dated, vintage, slightly damaged, or just no longer my style. I considered taking them to the thrift store but I decided that I’d rather do something useful with them rather than risk them simply being thrown away.

Decorating with Scarves

So, besides wearing them, how can you repurpose scarves? A lot will depend on the type of scarf you’re dealing with. You’ll want to be careful repurposing a vintage or designer scarf so you don’t destroy the value of it if that’s important to you. A lightweight or sheer scarf won’t stand up to daily wear as well as a cotton scarf will.

There are lots of cool things to do with scarves. I”m sharing a few uses for scarves that I’d like to try.

Cover pillows

If you like the thought of learning to decorate with scarves, you may want to try to cover pillows that are showing their wear. You will want to find two similar or matching scarves and use one for the back and one for the front. This works best when you use scarves that are cotton rather than a sheer fabric like silk since you will need to sew them.

Decorating with scarves is a great way to give a room a new look inexpensively.

Table covering

If your scarf has lace or beautiful detailing that you don’t want to destroy by cutting and sewing, you may want to consider using it as a table covering. If you have a small table, you can add a lace scarf and a vase of flowers to brighten up a room.

Create a quilt

Of course, to make a quilt you would need to have a large number of similar scarves in a heavier material. This is a fantastic idea if you happen to have a lot of bandanas. My son had tons of these when he was younger. This would have been a great way to reuse them. You will probably also need to use fabric purchased from the store to create the edges and the backing. If you have a lot of t-shirts, you can try a t-shirt quilt.

Decorating with scarves DIYs & more

• Upcycle a scarf into a wreath
• Vintage scarf suncatcher
• Chunky necklace
• Make a vest
• DIY scarf tray
• A no sew apron
• DIY sheer curtains
• Framed wall art
• Easy twist bracelet
• Upcycled baby bib
• Make strappy sandals
• Accessorize a hat or bag
• Use it as a watch band

What other ways would you upcycle a scarf?