8 Fantastic Ways to Decorate with Burlap

With its interesting texture and neutral color, burlap is the perfect way to add a rustic touch to your vintage, Nordic or shabby chic decor. In this article, we’ll show you 8 fantastic ways you can use this material in your decor.
8 Fantastic Ways to Decorate with Burlap

Last update: 14 September, 2019

Decorating with burlap is becoming more and more popular. While it was previously only used in more rural settings, today, many people are using it to add a rustic feel to their homes. But do you know how to make the most of this versatile material?

Its characteristic color and texture make burlap the perfect complement for both interior and exterior decor. In this article, we’ll show you 8 interesting ways to incorporate burlap into your home.

Why choose burlap?

Burlap is a thick, rough material, that is made from natural fibers such as hemp or jute. Initially, it was mainly used by stores, who used the tough fabric to make storage sacks for all kinds of produce and wares. It was also used as packaging material.

However, over time, burlap has acquired an increasingly wide variety of uses and is now a common sight in the world of interior decor. This material is really versatile and easy to use, and perfect for making a wide variety of decorative elements.

Although for a long time, burlap was predominantly used in country and rustic style houses, many people have begun to extend its usage, incorporating it into Nordic, vintage and shabby chic style decor. One of the best things about this material is that it can work well almost anywhere, from living rooms and dining rooms to terraces.

How to decorate with burlap

Decorating with burlap is perfect for anyone who loves rustic decor, or enjoys upcycling. This material is really low-cost and is great for making cushion covers, tablecloths, couch covers, and countless other decorative elements. As such, it’s important to know how to make the most of it.

1. Chair and couch covers

Burlap chair covers.

Burlap can be perfect for reupholstering antique chairs. Its neutral color is the ideal complement for minimalist, rustic or vintage style living rooms. You’ll need to make sure it is well-upholstered. This will prevent the material from deteriorating, and give your chairs a more professional finish.

2. Decorating with burlap – cushions and curtains

The simplest way to decorate with burlap is to make cushion covers and curtains. Burlap cushions can be used as complements to your living room furniture, or even out on your terrace, while burlap curtains are ideal for kitchens.

3. Plant pots

Rustic-style plant pots.

Because burlap is a low-cost, porous material, many people use it for decorating plant pots, either out in the garden or in the home. In fact, burlap sacks themselves can be used for growing some types of plants, their fibers facilitating water absorption while allowing excess moisture to drain away.

4. Table runners

Though it may be coarse and thick, burlap is actually perfect for making table runners. So, if you don’t yet have one for your table, this material might be the perfect option for you. You can decorate your runners it with bows and ribbons to really make them stand out.

5. Cutlery wraps

Cutlery wraps.

If you want to decorate for a special occasion, why not make some really beautiful rustic-style cutlery wraps? They’re really easy to make and don’t require a lot of material. You don’t even need to decorate them – they’ll look great just on their own.

6. Organizers

Believe it or not, an old burlap sack can be transformed into a beautiful and practical organizer. All you need to do is sew pockets and compartments of various different sizes, and you’re done!

7. Lampshades

This porous material is perfect for creating beautiful decorative lampshades. They’re really easy to make and can be used in living rooms, as well as bedrooms. Plus, there are so many ways you can personalize your design to suit your tastes.

8. Burlap bulletin boards

This interesting idea is a great way to decorate those forgotten corners of your home. Simply stretch a piece of burlap over a wooden board or frame, and you’ll be able to use it to hang photos, drawings, as well as important letters, messages, and memos.

Conclusion

This is a really low-cost and versatile material that’s perfect for giving your home that quaint country feel. You can simply reuse fabric from old sacks, or buy a couple of feet of material from any good decorating or textile store.

Making sure to combine burlap elements with the right complements is the best way to really make the most of this material. Lace, pearls, ribbon and white fabric are ideal, helping to create a really elegant look. However, it’s best to avoid using burlap in modern homes, so think carefully about the style of your home before incorporating these elements.