So you’re excited about your brand new draperies from Half Price Drapes but what do you do with your old curtains? You could fold them up and store them forever but it’s likely you’ll never use them again. Here are some alternatives – some of which can earn you cold, hard cash – to help you get rid of your curtains.
Sell them to a local consignment shop
If your curtains are in good shape and the pattern is not outdated then you may be able to sell them in a consignment shop. The way these shops work is simple. You take the item to them and then you and the shopkeeper decide on a price the curtains will sell for. You won’t get paid that day but if the curtains sell you’ll get a previously agreed upon commission amount.
Sell them at a garage sale
Take a look around your home – especially your storage areas – and see how much stuff you have that you could stand to get rid of. If there’s plenty of stuff then you can plan your own garage sale. If you only have a few things then consider getting together with some friends and having a single garage sale for all of your combined goods.
Give your curtains to a local charity
There are likely plenty of local charities that would love to have your curtains. For example, nonprofit resale stores that will sell your curtains and use the proceeds to further their cause. Another option is donating directly to a shelter that helps domestic violence victims or homeless folks getting a new home. As an added bonus, these types of donations are generally tax deductible.
Upcycle your curtains into something great
If you’re the crafty sort then there are plenty of ways you can upcycle your curtains into something entirely new. For example, you could cut the fabric to make placemats, you could take larger drapes and cut and sew them down to be excellent table runners. The sky is the limit! You could even make coasters from them.
Give your old curtains to a friend or family member
Do you know any friends or family members that recently moved or could otherwise use some new-to-them curtains? Why not pass yours on to them? Even if your curtains aren’t the perfect size they can likely make a few minor changes to get them to fit perfectly.