Upcycle A Rag Rug Into A Beautiful Boho Window Treatment

Colorful rag rugs can be a common sight at the thrift store and other secondhand venues. These intricately woven floor coverings, while they boast a lot of folksy, DIY charm, go in and out of fashion, there are some great ways to upcycle these rugs into new creations Disassembled and unwoven, they make a great source of fabric strips in longer lengths that you can use for other craft and DIY projects. One Instagram DIYer shows off how she created a fun and colorful window treatment by braiding pieces of an upcycled rag rug loosely together. The result is a casual and breezy boho chic look with a window covering that is totally unique and perfect for relaxed spaces.

Not only can this help you create the perfect curtains for your bohemian design aesthetic, but it is also an eco-friendly project that keeps the rag rug and its fabric out of a landfill. Each woven rug, even the small ones, has a lot of fabric that you can use for this project and others. They can usually be found for low prices at secondhand stores, making them an affordable source of fabric scraps. This project could also work with thrifted vintage scarves.

To disassemble a rag rug, find a section that has been sewn and begin loosening any threads with a seam ripper and unwinding strips of fabric that have been braided together. You will have larger and smaller strips, both of which can be used for this project. Begin a length of rope by braiding three pieces together, adding more pieces as you work until you have a span of rope that can cover your window's width. Next, continue by tying fabric pieces along the length of the rope, then knot the strips in a diamond pattern, leaving them loose for an open curtain or tight for a more opaque one. At the bottom, allow what's left of the fabric pieces to drape down.

You can customize this window treatment both in size and design. While the DIYer above creates a window valance and hangs it directly from the window frame, you can continue weaving and knotting to create a larger piece that can work as a curtain or as a mesh room divider when hung from the ceiling or a wooden dowel. You can also create a simpler version with just loose pieces of the rug tied to a window, in a doorway, or along the top of your bed canopy. Add other details, like fringe, crystals, faux flowers, or beading at the bottom for some additional interest and an instant boho feel.