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If you’re looking for *super simple* uses for carpet remnants, you’re in the right spot.
It’s tricky knowing what to do with carpet remnants, whether they’re leftover from your recent reno or you snagged them for free. The simplest option would be to trash them and save yourself the hassle of trying to put them to good use, right
But carpet isn’t the most wallet-friendly home purchase – especially if you value quality. So, finding clever uses for carpet remnants is likely your preferred step going forward.
However, masterfully DIY-ing a comfy headboard or super chic ottoman requires skills – and time – the average person doesn’t have.
That’s why we’re here to show you 11 *super easy* ideas that literally anyone can do (no matter your DIY skills).
11 Ideas to Use Leftover Carpet Remnants
1. Create a Stylish Stair Runner
Every time we browse chic home decor ideas on Pinterest, we see an abundance of regal staircases complete with stunning runners – and we’re not mad about it. This popular design choice certainly brings a touch of sophistication to your hallway.
Of course, you’ll need a pretty hefty measure of leftover carpet (roll ends work fab) for this one, but this is by far one of the most creative ways to use carpet remnants.
2. Give Your Pets the Life of Luxury
If you’re anything like us, you’ll make sure your pets feel safe, warm, and comfortable before you even consider doing so for yourself. So, using carpet off-cuts is a brilliant way to enhance their bedding.
You can either use it underneath their bed for a little *extra* comfort and padding – especially if you have hard floors. Or, place it somewhere in your home (or in their crate), providing another spot for them to get cosy. Heck, if they don’t like it, it’s only leftover carpet remnants after all.
3. Keep Feeding Times Tidy
This is another great idea for pet owners!
We don’t know about you, but wood or vinyl flooring is a nightmare with a thirsty floor-legged friend in the house. Rarely is there a moment without a small flood creeping from the surrounds of the bowl.
That’s why cutting a small piece of carpet to sit underneath your cat or dog’s food bowl is a great idea.
TOP TIP: Lower pile carpets will be best for this, as you’ll likely be washing this clever accessory pretty often.
4. Protect High-Traffic Areas
Just laid a beautiful new carpet in your living space? If you’re particularly pernickety about keeping your carpet in pristine condition, layering carpet remnants on top provides a protective layer, keeping your actual carpet looking fresh.
We highly suggest doing this in high-traffic areas especially, like in front of your couch, in doorways, or hallways.
TOP TIP: The key here is to only do this if you’re using remnants in the *exact same colour* as your edge-to-edge carpet. Otherwise, it can look messy and disjointed.
5. Make a Hard Wearing Shelf Liner
Whether in your basement, garage, pantry, or loft space, lining your shelves with carpet is a brilliant way to protect easily-damaged surfaces.
Cleaning your shelves will be quicker and simpler than ever – just lift out the carpet remnants and put them back when you’re finished. Plus, it’ll be much easier to get heavy boxes off shelves, as any friction is reduced.
6. Line Inside Your Drawers
We know, you probably wouldn’t line the bottom of your underwear drawer with carpet off-cuts. But in places such as the kitchen, where you might store heavy pots and pans in deep drawers, protecting your expensive cabinets is a good idea.
Consider it a neat option if you have a garage or workshop, too. If you usually store tools in a drawer, carpet provides a softer surface to rest them on.
7. Keep Your Shoe Rack Clean
The beauty of a shoe rack? It houses all of your most-worn shoes in one place, separate from each other so dirt doesn’t transfer. The downside of a shoe rack? The shoe rack itself usually falls victim to all the dirt on the soles of your shoes.
An easy solution is to lay carpet remnants on each rack, acting as a sort of “doormat” for your favourite footwear.
Love organisation hacks like this? We come fully armed with savvy organisation tips and tricks!
8. DIY an Area Rug
Wondering how to make a rug out of carpet remnants? Don’t worry, the thought of DIY-ing an area rug is much scarier than it actually is. In reality, this seemingly complicated idea is pretty simple.
Don’t believe us? All you need is your carpet remnants, and a few simple tools you can easily find at your local DIY store. Kasey Trenum has 3 easy ways to perfect your homemade area rug!
9. Upgrade Your Soundproofing
Whether living with excitable kids, reactive pups, a dedicated musician, or a washing machine with too much energy, soundproofing your home is always a good idea.
Having carpet in these rooms will absorb some of the sound, making everyday living a little less noisy for your household (and any close-by neighbours).
10. Simplify Moving Heavy Furniture
If you’re anything like us, you have the sudden urge to switch up your spaces every few months for a quick ✨refresh ✨.
But moving (read: dragging with brute force) seriously heavy furniture pieces across a room could cause harm to yourself. Not to mention, you might damage flooring in the process.
Keeping a few cuts of carpet remnants is handy for such occasions, making interior switcharoos feel totally effortless – just lift the furniture and place underneath for a smooth move.
11. Cut Into the Shape of a Doormat
Ever get tired of replacing worn out doormats? If you have carpet remnants laying around with no purpose, we highly suggest cutting them into the size and shape of a doormat.
Especially in the winter months, when water, mud, and everything else gets dragged inside your home, having a mat you don’t really care too much about getting dirty is ideal.
Where to Buy Carpet Remnants
First things first, if you’re hoping to snag free carpet remnants, you might be out of luck. You can occasionally find freebies on Facebook Marketplace and similar online hotspots, but heading to your local carpet store is your best bet.
Should You Keep Carpet Remnants?
Absolutely! Unless you have a rather large, bulky roll (highly unlikely if you got your measurements bob-on), holding onto odd cuts is always a good idea. Even if you don’t have a use for them right now, you never know when they might come in handy.
Can You Carpet a Room with Offcuts?
You might struggle to cover your living room floor, but for smaller spaces, like storage cupboards or dinky box rooms, remnants might just do the job – if you can find the perfect cut.