You got new blinds, but what do you do with the old ones? Rather than sending them to the landfill, there are many surprising ways to recycle old window treatments, and often the greenest option is to repurpose them around your house.
If you have Bamboo or Woven Wood Shades lying around, first we’d ask you to think twice about taking them down. They’re SO hot right now. But if they’re really worn out or not for you, here are 10 ways to reuse them.
10 Surprising Ways to Reuse Old Bamboo Blinds
Many of these projects require you to disassemble your shade. Learn how with the tutorial at the bottom of this post.
Cover Up Shelving
Open shelving seemed like a good idea when you put it up, but then you realized that there’s nowhere to hide your junk! Conceal your cleaning supply hodge podge with some woven wood shades hung from the ceiling.
Via Young House Love on The Nest
Round Bamboo Mirror
Bamboo shades too wide? Trim them with a hack saw and save the pieces to make a natural inspired mirror.
Bamboo Pendant Lampshade
Give a basic pendant light some texture with bamboo pieces painted white. We love the organic feel the shade gives to this kitchen nook.
Via House of Fifty
Bamboo Sunburst Mirror
Turn a simple dollar store mirror into a statement piece with bamboo painted white.
Via House of Fifty
Bamboo Vase Cover
Trim off one edge of your shade material to the height of your vase (Use the rolling technique to cut). Wrap around, hot glue in place and your flowers will have some extra warmth and texture.
DIY Bamboo Placemats
Add some texture to your table! Cut a 19″ x 14″ section out of your bamboo blinds to make an easy DIY placemat. Use the existing weave of the shade to keep the placemat together. Secure your woven section.
Please note: These mats are safe for décor only. Don’t try to re-use your shades as a sushi mat, as similar as the materials may look. Bamboo window shades have been treated with stains and sealants that were not designed to be food safe.
Bamboo Earring Holder
Cut your shades to any size you like and tie off the ends. Tie a string through the top few slats as a hanger. Slip earrings through the slats to organize and display.
Via Life in The Makings
Bamboo Accented Side Table
Freshen up a simple nightstand with a coat of paint and bamboo accented doors. Attach bamboo reeds one by one or cut a section of your shade to size and glue it on in one piece.
Via Living Savvy
Bamboo Orb Light Fixtures
Who knew that these light fixtures were once bamboo roll-up blinds? Follow these instructions to learn how to bend the slats into circles (it’s not as hard as it sounds!) and create the natural orb pendant lights.
Via Made in Pretoria
Cover Up a Dog Crate
If your dog crate is out where guests will see it, dress it up with a simple bamboo cover. Your pooch will still be able to see out the front and the open weave allows for plenty of air flow. Some dogs even like their crate better with a cover – it feels like a cozy cave.
How to Take Apart Woven Wood Shades
Cut cords woven into shade a few slats from the bottom. Often the bottom few slats have been glued onto each other and will not be usable.
If you just need slats for your project, remove all that you need and you’re done. If you need a piece of woven material for your project, follow the steps below.
In order to use this piece, you’ll need to secure the threads at the end of the shade to keep the weave together. Either hot glue the loose ends to the last slat, or remove a few slats and tie each set of cords to secure.
Repeat for the top of the shade.
Clean up your finished piece by removing the lift cord and ladder cord from the back of the shade.
How to Cut Width
In order to trim the width of your piece, roll it up and cut off the excess with a hack saw.
