How to Use Macrame in Home Decor

Hanging Macramé Wall Art

Mount a macramé tapestry. A tapestry can add an element of hand-spun elegance to any room in your home. Use tapestries to make blank, uninteresting sections of wall more eye-catching. You could even hang one above the headboard of your bed or behind the sofa in the living room to tie the room together. Attach the tapestry to a wooden dowel (or a slender tree limb, for more of a natural look) to make it easier to hang and keep it from sagging. Make one-of-a-kind macramé wall art the focal point of your living room wall.

Design a unique dreamcatcher. The classic dreamcatcher is a staple of many homes, and represents peace, restfulness and positivity. Rather than displaying an ordinary dreamcatcher woven from wire, try out a softer approach with the macramé version. The gentle fabric braids will bring you even more of a sense of comfort when you stop to admire it. Put the finishing touches on your dreamcatcher using beads, feathers and other decorative touches. Dreamcatchers are one of the simpler projects you can start with if you’re just learning how to macramé.

Make macramé curtains. Replace boring window covers with floor-length macramé drapes. You could choose a dense weave for privacy, or go for a loose fringe to beautify your window space while still admitting a soft glow of light. You could even rig your macramé curtains up to runners so that you can draw and open them as you please.

Put up a room divider. Hanging room dividers are typically made with noisy beads, but a macramé version can help create privacy without all that irritating clacking. Rather than keeping the doors in your home shut, simply tack the divider to the door frame to make your living space feel more open and inviting. Tie a couple beads onto the end of each strand to give the cords some weight so that they’ll return to their original position. Use partitions to cover entryways and create separation between rooms that are close together.

Decorating Furniture with Macramé

Embellish ordinary lampshades. Take a dusty old lampshade from dull to delightful with a simple macramé cover. These covers can easily be knotted to fit shades of different shapes and sizes, meaning any light in your home can benefit from a custom fit. Make your own DIY lampshades by knotting the cord around a wire frame that’s been shaped to fit over a lamp or ceiling light. Incorporate shells, beads or tassels to add complexity to your lampshades.

Weave clever furniture covers. If you’re unhappy with the look of your loveseat or recliner but aren’t in a position to buy a new one, some macramé accents may be just what you need to make you fall in love with your seating situation again. Drape an enchanting pattern over the back of the piece to give it a whole new decorative appeal. You could even resurface a worn out seat or foot stool with a new handmade finish.

Make your own pillows and blankets. Top your sofa or favorite easy chair with an assortment of throw pillows you designed yourself. Keep a cozy throw blanket or two handy for when you have company. Choose a softer fabric for your furniture accessories to ensure optimum comfort. You can use ordinary macramé cord for these projects or draw on recycled materials, like old t-shirts. Create themed sets of blankets and pillows using different knotting patterns and color combinations.

Lay out a macramé table runner. For long or spacious dining tables that look awfully empty, use a knit runner to break up negative space. You can then use the runner as a place to arrange flowers, candles or a centerpiece while leaving the place settings free for serving home cooked meals. Leave a long fringe on both ends of the table runner for an elegant drape. Bring out your macramé table runner for springtime events or whenever you need to inject a little brightness and ornamentation into your dining area.

Outline a mirror or portrait. Hide an uninspired frame with a tight macramé wrap. Textile frames provide a pleasant contrast to the focal point of the frame, and they go perfectly in homes decked out with rustic or vintage decor. Be sure to remove the glass and backing from the frame before trying to tie the cord into place.

Creating Crafty Containers

Make hanging planters. This bohemian gardening solution is a hit among contemporary interior designers. The macramé weaves are shaped into nets to nestle lightweight planters in, then suspended from the ceiling at various heights. Hanging planters are a wonderful method of presentation for home gardening projects, and can also free up valuable space around your porch or patio. Hanging macramé containers aren’t just for plants—they can also be useful for tea lights, bird feeders, or even craft art and decorations. Make sure the cord and knotting style you implement are strong enough to hold objects with a little weight.

Wrap a vase or candle holder. Give plain display pieces some much-needed flair by enveloping them in a web-like exterior. The macramé can cover the entire outside of the piece, or encircle the center in a sleek band. You’ll quickly turn old, outdated items into conversation starters. Wrap and hang unused glass bottles or mason jars to convert them into minimalistic miniature flower vases. The same thing can be done for bins, jars, kitchen storage canisters and any number of similarly shaped containers.

Create custom baskets. Fabric construction can make almost anything more charming, including simple storage containers. Wind sturdy cord around a premade basket frame to give it a tight structure, or make the whole thing from scratch. When you’re done, you’ll have a quaint carrier perfect for holding fresh fruit, bath accessories or the daily mail. Use a firm type of cord that will be able to hold up to frequent handling while retaining its shape. Include handles to make your baskets easier to tote from place to place.