Here's What You Can Do With An Old Mattress That's Too Far Gone To Donate

When you've got an old mattress that isn't good enough to donate and you don't want it to end up in a landfill, there are a few interesting DIY projects you could try instead. To the crafty eye, an old foam mattress is not trash; it's a potential that is practically begging to become a pile of cozy floor cushions. You don't see the vision yet? Stay with us. Simply cut the mattress into smaller, manageable pieces and shape them into squares, rectangles, circles, or any funky shapes you like. Then, cover them with sturdy fabric in whatever designs or patterns fit your aesthetic. A little sewing or gluing is all that's standing between you and some seriously groovy DIY floor pillows for cozy vibes in any room of the house.

These portable floor cushions are super comfortable and perfect for family movie nights, gaming marathons, or lazy afternoons lounging around with a good book. And you want to make as many as your mattress allows and mix and match styles for a playful, boho vibe. You can even toss on a few extra blankets and throw pillows to create a nest-like corner that screams relaxation. Once you start using floor pillows to maximize comfort and seating space in your home, you'll never go back.

Once your floor cushions have been created, you'll probably have some leftover foam scraps that you won't want going to waste. They can also be converted into some pretty useful things. If you're a gardener, you can fashion smaller pieces of foam into kneeling pads to save your knees during planting and weeding sessions. Or if you're into crafting, you can cut the scraps into DIY shapes for stamping, which can be used to decorate cards and postcards — a good rainy-day activity for kids.

Or why not give some love to your furry friends and, similarly to how you created the floor cushions, convert leftover pieces to make pet beds or crate pads. You could glue pieces together if you need a thicker option. And if you're still looking for ideas to spice up a boring floor, you could get playful and use the foam bits to make unique poufs. Will these projects take a bit of time? Sure, but they're practical, they're economical, and they keep a little extra waste out of the landfill — every little bit helps.