Breathe New Life Into Old Reusable Tote Bags With One Genius Patio Pillow Hack

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Buying the perfect outdoor furniture allows you to easily turn an ordinary patio into a cozy, welcoming retreat or snazzy gathering hub in the summertime. Everything from the interesting color palettes and designs to contemporary materials and seating options can command everyone's attention when you have a backyard shindig. However, there is one furniture accessory item that can also add interest, and it's your patio pillows. But you don't have to take a trip to the store to get eye-catching pillows for your patio furniture. Instead, create your own pillows by repurposing one common household item that you likely have stored right in your closet: tote bags. With a little stuffing, these bags can become a clever way to perk up your patio with a standout pillow choice.

Not only is this an affordable way to add or replace patio pillows, but it's also eco-friendly. Many tote bags today are made from recyclable materials, such as canvas, plastic, cotton, or thick PVC plastic. And though you can make pillows using all these materials, the plastic totes will work best for this hack, as they will be more resistant to the outdoor weather.

To create these pillows, you'll need VELCRO strips, scissors, and Fairfield poly-fil or plastic grocery bags. As an alternative method, you can also use a sewing machine for this task. However, the Velcro method is faster and cheaper if you don't have a sewing machine. The poly-fil and Velcro strips can be purchased for under $20 each.

Kick off this DIY by gathering your reusable tote bags. Next, take one bag and cut the edges, handles, and bottom off. This will leave you with the front and back sides of the bag only. Then, place your Velcro strips along all the edges on both sides. Next, close both sides together, pressing the edges firmly. Afterward, open up one side and stuff your poly-fil cushioning or grocery bags into it until it's taut.  

If you're using a sewing machine, sew three sides of the bag, fill it with poly-fil, and then sew the last side to close it. Also, ensure that your sewing machine is set to the largest zig-zag stitch to make it easy to sew neat corners.

Finally, dress up your new pillows with a few accessories such as beads, shells, or buttons. You can use Gorilla glue to quickly attach a few embellishments to your new pillows. Or, take things further by adding interesting designs such as flowers or shapes on the pillows using Apple Barrel acrylic paint. You can also create a few tassel edges or braid designs for a rustic or cottage-style feel. Keep in mind that it's best to avoid using a hot glue gun to attach materials to plastic, as it may cause it to melt.