Placemats don’t exactly seem exciting, do they? Wait until you learn about all the decor elements you can create from them and you might change your mind. Using placemats is a fun, low-cost way to perk up almost any room.
Placemats are fairly inexpensive, yet there are many varieties that are made from beautiful, luxurious fabrics. Since they don’t require much fabric to make, they can be sold at reasonable prices. You get more than great stuff for your home; you also get a good deal.
Remember that many department stores and home decorating shops offer complete lines of coordinating decor items. You can easily find placemats made from the same fabric as other treatments in your space, or in closely coordinating colors, patterns, and textures.
Placemats can easily be made into terrific throw pillows. Choose a two-ply placemat and simply remove the stitching from one seam. The side you plan to use as the bottom is the best choice, so that when you re-stitch it to close it, the seam won’t be as noticeable. Next, stuff the placemat with fiberfill or foam and whipstitch the seam closed. In a few moments, you have a perfect pillow.
Part of the charm is that placemat pillows don’t look like every other throw pillow. They have a rectangular shape, which gives them even more interest. If you prefer square pillows, simply cut off a few inches from one side of the placemat and follow the directions above. Add beads, trim, or other embellishments if desired.
To create a matching runner for a coffee table, sideboard, or dresser, simply sew two or three placemats together side by side and add trim or lace around the perimeter of the finished piece. If the placemats are reversible, with different fabrics on each side, that’s even better! Alternate them before sewing them together for added interest.
Nice fabric placemats cost only a few dollars each and they come in wonderful varieties of patterns, textures and colors. You can quickly update a bedroom, living room, or family room with very little cost and effort.