When I started swapping out area rugs recently, getting rid of my old ones seemed…well…wrong. After all, these rugs meant a lot to me. Just looking at that red and gold one brings back fond memories of Thanksgiving dinners gone by.
But I didn’t just get sentimentally attached to these old things. I also spent a pretty penny on them. Hundreds – and in some cases THOUSANDS – of dollars. Just chunking them felt wasteful.
Fortunately, there are PLENTY of ways to get more life out of area rugs. Even ones that you’re planning on replacing. In this post, as a professional custom rugs manufacturer, I’ll outline 10 options for old area rugs collecting dust in your home. From ways to re-purpose them around your home to donating old rugs and more, let’s dive in!
What to Do With Old Area Rugs
Sell Your Old Area Rugs
Let’s start with the obvious:
If your area rug is in good shape, sell it!
There’s usually a decent market for used rugs in great condition. Even if it’s a few years old.
Here are a few options for selling old area rugs:
Craigslist
Craiglist is my go-to for selling just about anything. From that stationary bike collecting dust to the latest iPhone, it’s a great way to unload stuff fast.
And the same goes for area rugs.
Just make sure you take some nice pictures. Write an appealing description. And don’t go overboard on pricing it if it has some light wear.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace works much the same way as Craigslist.
Take some nice pictures. Write up a good description. And list it for a fair price.
From there, it’s just a matter of fielding offers and coordinating pickup.
(Although with Marketplace you CAN arrange shipping if the buyer pays for it.)
One perk of selling on Marketplace vs Craigslist: it’s linked to your Facebook profile. Buyers may feel a bit more comfortable purchasing from a “real person” vs someone anonymous on Craigslist
Consignment Shops
If going the peer-to-peer route seems like a hassle, consignment shops are another solid option.
Many consignment stores accept home goods like area rugs.
They’ll display it in their store. Handle any haggling over pricing. And coordinate pickup once it sells.
Obviously, they’ll take a decent cut. Anywhere from 40-60% of the final sale price.
But for the convenience, it can be worth it if you don’t want to mess with selling it yourself.
Repurpose Your Area Rug Around Your Home
Maybe your old area rug isn’t in good enough shape to sell. Or it has some sentimental value you don’t want to part with.
No worries!
There are lots of ways to repurpose old rugs in and around your home.
Here are some of my favorite ideas:
Use it Outside
While indoor/outdoor rugs obviously do better outside, you CAN use old indoor ones outdoors if you’d like.
Cut it to the size you need for a patio, deck or outdoor seating area.
Keep in mind moisture WILL destroy it eventually. So this isn’t a long term solution if you live somewhere wet.
But it beats throwing it out if the alternative is the landfill!
Make a Rug Wall Hanging
Rugs as wall hangings is most definitely a thing.
And it’s a simple but effective way to decorate any room – while keeping your old rug out of the trash.
For smaller rugs, you can easily hang them with hooks like any other wall tapestry.
Bigger ones need a professional mounting. But it’s surprisingly affordable.
That oversized vintage rug from your living room would make an INSANE focal point above the couch!
Use Remnants Around the Home
Have an old rug that’s too far gone to repurpose as-is?
No worries – use the remnants in other areas of your home!
Cut pieces to make funky coasters, pet beds, floor cushions, trunk liners in your car, welcome mats and more.
Sky’s the limit here. Anything fabric can usually be MacGyvered into something useful.
And don’t feel like you need something perfect. Misshapen cushions on the floor can have tons of character!
Make Decor Items
Along the same lines as using remnants, old rugs can become other home decor items.
For example, use part of it to make throw pillows. Repurpose it as textured wall art behind a bed. Cut into strips for stair risers.
With a little vision old rugs can become wall hangings, pillows, poufs, headboards, chair covers, and just about anything else fabric-based!
Donate Old Area Rugs
If you have an area rug that’s still in decent condition, donate it!
Tons of organizations accept old area rugs and put them to good use:
Homeless Shelters
Homeless shelters always need area rugs and are more than happy to take donations.
Area rugs help make spaces feel more homey and comfortable for people getting back on their feet.
Animal Shelters
Animal shelters can also put old area rugs to use.
Veterinary clinics use them in kennels. Shelters put them in dog/cat rooms. Rescues use them in foster homes.
So consider donating old rugs you want to get rid of to an animal shelter or rescue organization near you.
Thrift Stores
Some thrift stores accept area rug donations as well.
As long as it’s still in decent shape, many thrift stores will clean/prep it and sell it at a discount. Which keeps it out of the landfill!
Women’s Shelters
Like homeless shelters, women’s shelters benefit greatly from area rug donations.
Anything to make their space more warm and welcoming for those rebuilding their lives is hugely helpful.
Recycle Old Area Rugs
If your old area rug is beyond repair – or not suitable to donate – recycle it!
Here are a few tips for recycling area rugs:
Carpet Recycling Locations
In some areas, you can take old area rugs to carpet recycling centers.
They’ll remove any reusable materials, break down the rug, and ensure recyclable components get reused.
Check here to see if there’s a carpet recycling facility near you.
Call Around
If there’s no dedicated carpet recycling center nearby, call your regular recycling facility. Or nearby Goodwill and similar donation centers.
Often these places accept all sorts of household items – including old area rugs. They then work with recyclers to ensure it doesn’t just end up in the regular trash.
Remove Backing/Padding
Some recyclers require that any padding, rubber backing, or adhesive gets removed before drop-off.
It takes a little elbow grease. But removing these items ensures the rug fibers themselves can get broken down and re-used.
Double Check First
Last note on recycling area rugs: always call ahead before dropping them off somewhere.
Confirm the location does indeed recycle area rugs to avoid having to make multiple trips!
Wrap Up
As you can see, just because your trusty area rug has reached retirement age doesn’t mean it’s doomed for the landfill.
From selling old rugs in good condition to donating ones with some wear – there are plenty of ways to keep them going strong in their second (or third!) life.
At the end of the day, I know it can be tough parting with household items that seem sentimental. Even for ultra-practical things like area rugs.
But keeping textiles out of landfills is hugely important for the planet. And giving your rugs new life elsewhere preserves those memories instead of tossing them “away”.
So hopefully this post gave you some ideas for old area rugs piling up at home. And maybe a little inspiration to get creative with the ones you already have!
Let me know in the comments if you have any other suggestions for area rug upcycling. I might just have to borrow a few to put to use soon!