The Latest Decorating Trend for Color Enthusiasts
If you have old afghans that are no longer being used, don’t throw them away! Instead, consider repurposing them into new and useful items. Afghans can be a great source of fabric for a variety of projects, from creating pillow covers to making tote bags.
To start, take a look at your afghan and determine how you can repurpose it. If it’s still in good condition but no longer matches your decor, consider using it as a throw blanket in a different room. You can also turn it into a cozy shawl or wrap to wear on chilly evenings.
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So why not get creative and give your old afghans a new lease on life? Here are 10 inspiring ways to use your stash of afghans.
Use them as upholstery or chair covers – a great idea for remnants.
In My House
Decorate with them: The most obvious of all ways to use these blankets it to, well…use them! I’m seeing more and more of these popping up in both contemporary and vintage chic bedrooms on Pinterest and I love the color and personality they bring to all different types of decor.
Inside Out
Smile Rynker
The Design Files
Pourmesjolismomes.com
Display them on an open shelf or cupboard.
Lykkeoglykkeliten.blogspot.co.uk
Photography Props – I’m also so inspired by the way photographers use vintage afghans to draw your eye to their subject. I have some very talented photographer friends and relatives, and their use of these vintage beauties are what gave me an eye for them in my own home.
They work great to add color to outdoor family and senior sessions…
Photo: Lunaria Photography
I also love the way they help capture the innocence of newborns and toddlers, while featuring precious family heirlooms.
Photo: Erin Farrell Photography
Photo: Erin Farrell Photography
Photo: Lunaria Photography
If you liked this article, you might also like to see my favorite ideas for upcycling vintage sheets and fabric
Are you inspired yet? I have accumulated my own stash of beautiful vintage afgans that I’ve been de-stashing at prop shows, and online in my Etsy shop and on ebay. Check them out and let me know what you think!
Do you have more inspiring ideas for vintage afghans? Please share them in the comments below!
A big thank you to my friends at Lunaria Photography and Erin Farrell Photography for allowing me to share their images. Please hop over to their sites to see more of their beautiful work!
These are super cute ideas. I was just thinking the other day how growing up, I thought afghans were horrid. Now? I LOVE THEM!
These are so pretty and special! I love the afghans we were gifted with each of our babies and hope to keep it in our family for a long time!
These are great ideas! I have lots of special afghans from our family, and these are great ways to use them!
Beautiful photos. I have an afghan my grandmother made me as a child. It used to be displayed on the rocker in my daughter’s nursery. Now that she is five, it is her favorite blanket for her baby dolls! 🙂
I main a granny square afghan a couple of years ago and it’s everyone’s favorite! Including the dog and cat unfortunately!
The craftsmanship on vintages afghans can not be surpassed. I love these ideas! Super cute. Who doesn’t love a pop of color in their space?
I love your ideas! Antique afghans are so pretty and colorful, they would be easy to include in most decor styles.
Hey that’s me in the Afghan photo
You are lovely, Sylken!
These are great, I love how much color they add to every shot. I definitely have a thing for crocheted afghans… they remind me of my childhood.
Great ideas. I have SO MANY, I kinda hoard them. I just used them as the walls on a trampoline tent this week. Typically they live on my covered porch during the winter months. I’ve also cut them up, stretched them in embroidery hoops and used them to decorate a Christmas tree.
Oh Jennifer, I’d love to see the afghans in all of those applications!