9 Uses For Leftover Deco Mesh

Leftover deco mesh can accumulate quickly after making wreaths, bows, garlands and seasonal decorations. A partial roll may not contain enough mesh for another full wreath, but it can still be useful for smaller projects, accents and finishing details.

Before throwing away an extra piece, consider its width, length, color and condition. Long sections can become garlands or swags, medium pieces work well for wreath accents and bows, and small scraps can add color to gifts, ornaments and floral arrangements.

Quick Answer: Some of the best uses for leftover deco mesh include adding curls or ruffles to wreaths, making bows, decorating garlands and swags, wrapping gifts, adding color to centerpieces, filling floral arrangements, creating seasonal ornaments, decorating parties and making team-color displays. Sort the remaining mesh by size so you can match each piece to an appropriate project.

What Is Poly Deco Mesh?

Poly deco mesh is a decorative synthetic mesh commonly used for wreaths, garlands, bows and seasonal craft projects.

It is available in many:

• Colors
• Widths
• Patterns
• Metallic finishes
• Stripes
• Two-color combinations
• Fabric-like textures
• Foil designs

Deco mesh holds volume and shape, which makes it useful when a project needs fullness, texture or a strong area of color.

Browse deco mesh to compare colors, patterns, finishes and widths for future wreath and craft projects.

Sort Your Leftover Deco Mesh Before Using It

Organize leftover mesh according to the approximate size of each piece.

Long Partial Rolls

Save long continuous sections for:

• Garlands
• Swags
• Tree or railing accents
• Large bows
• Table runners
• Wreath base sections

Medium-Length Pieces

Use medium pieces for:

• Ruffles
• Curls
• Ribbon-style tails
• Small bows
• Floral filler
• Gift baskets
• Centerpiece accents

Small Scraps

Short scraps can still be used for:

• Ornament filler
• Gift toppers
• Small decorative bundles
• Floral arrangement accents
• Package decorations
• Filling gaps around wreath signs
• Small seasonal shapes

Remove damaged, badly crushed or heavily frayed pieces before storing the remaining mesh.

Keep leftover mesh separated by color or season in clear bags, bins or labeled containers. This makes it easier to find coordinating pieces when beginning another project.

9 Uses For Leftover Deco Mesh

The best project depends on how much mesh remains and whether the pieces have already been cut.

1. Add Ruffles And Curls To A Wreath

One of the easiest uses for leftover deco mesh is adding smaller ruffles, curls or bundles to another wreath.

You may not have enough mesh to create the entire base, but a few coordinating pieces can:

• Fill a visible gap
• Add a second team color
• Introduce a metallic accent
• Balance the wreath around a sign
• Add texture near a bow
• Repeat a color used in the ribbon

For a ruffle, gather a rectangular mesh piece through the center and secure it at an attachment point.

For a curl, allow the mesh to roll inward, hold the center and secure it to the frame with a chenille stem, floral wire or built-in tie.

Several small curls can be grouped together to form a larger bundle.

Use leftover mesh in a color already found in the ribbon, sign, picks or ornaments. The added pieces should look intentional rather than like unrelated material placed into an empty spot.

Read five ways to use deco mesh in a wreath to compare ruffles, curls, poofs, layered combinations and spiral-style techniques.

2. Make A Deco Mesh Bow Or Decorative Topper

A partial mesh roll can be turned into a large decorative bow, package topper or wreath accent.

Mesh bows work especially well for:

• Large gift boxes
• Gift baskets
• Wreaths
• Garlands
• Mailbox decorations
• Porch displays
• Christmas trees
• Party decorations

Deco mesh can form the main loops while wired ribbon adds patterns and more defined tails.

To keep the bow coordinated, combine the mesh with one or two wreath ribbon patterns that repeat its colors.

Secure the center tightly with floral wire or a chenille stem. Leave enough wire to attach the bow to the wreath frame, gift basket, garland or display.

Small mesh scraps can also be gathered into a simple puff and tied beneath a wired ribbon bow. This creates additional fullness without requiring another full roll.

3. Decorate A Garland Or Swag

Long leftover sections work well in garlands and swags.

Mesh can be:

• Gathered into poofs along a garland
• Woven loosely through greenery
• Added in short ruffled sections
• Attached at the ends of a swag
• Used behind bows
• Combined with lights, ornaments or picks
• Added around a sign or focal piece

You do not need enough mesh to cover the entire garland.

Place coordinating mesh in several repeated areas instead of stretching one small section across the full length. Repeating the same color at balanced intervals helps the design look planned.

A swag can also be created on a teardrop form or narrow greenery base. Use mesh near the top bow, through the center and toward the lower point.

Browse wreath frames and forms when you need a base for a new wreath, swag or shaped decoration.

4. Decorate Gifts And Gift Baskets

Leftover deco mesh can replace or supplement traditional gift bows.

Use it to decorate:

• Gift boxes
• Gift bags
• Gift baskets
• Hostess gifts
• Raffle baskets
• Craft show purchases
• Team-themed gifts
• Holiday packages

Gather a mesh piece through the center and secure it with ribbon or a chenille stem. Add wired ribbon tails for a more polished finish.

Mesh can also be tucked around items inside a gift basket to provide color and help fill open space. Make sure it does not cover labels, handles or important parts of the gift.

For a sports fan, combine team-color mesh with a sign, ornament, decorative license plate or other item featuring a favorite team.

Use small pieces rather than cutting into a new roll solely for package decoration.

5. Add Color To Table Centerpieces

Medium or long pieces of mesh can add texture to a table display.

Possible uses include:

• Loosely gathered table runners
• Centerpiece filler
• Napkin or place-setting accents
• Buffet table decorations
• Candle-ring alternatives
• Holiday village filler
• Display riser accents
• Team-party table decorations

Arrange the mesh loosely instead of pulling it flat. Soft gathers create volume and allow the color or metallic finish to catch the light.

Mesh can be layered beneath:

• Artificial flowers
• Sports decorations
• Battery-operated candles
• Pumpkins
• Ornaments
• Decorative signs
• Team-color objects

Keep synthetic mesh away from open flames, hot serving dishes and other heat sources. Battery-operated candles are a safer choice when the mesh will be included in a centerpiece.

Choose one or two areas for the mesh instead of covering the entire table. Too much material can interfere with place settings, serving dishes and guests’ view across the table.

6. Use Deco Mesh In Floral Arrangements

Small mesh pieces can add color and fullness to artificial floral arrangements.

Mesh can be used:

• Behind a floral cluster
• Around the base of a vase
• Between greenery stems
• Inside a decorative container
• As filler around picks
• Under a bow
• Around a seasonal sign
• Inside a porch planter arrangement

Gather a mesh piece in the center and secure it to a floral pick, stem or wire. Insert it between the flowers rather than spreading it flat across the arrangement.

Use the mesh color to connect the flowers with the ribbon, container or sign.

For example:

• Green mesh can blend with artificial foliage.
• Metallic mesh can add sparkle to holiday flowers.
• Team-color mesh can turn a floral arrangement into game-day décor.
• Orange, brown or natural mesh can support a fall arrangement.
• Red, white or pink mesh can add color to Valentine’s Day décor.

Browse floral picks and sprays for additional height, texture and seasonal accents.

7. Create Seasonal Ornaments And Decorative Shapes

Leftover mesh can be used to create small seasonal decorations.

Ideas include:

• Mesh-filled clear ornaments
• Small pumpkins
• Decorative trees
• Snowman accents
• Hearts
• Easter eggs
• Stars
• Team-color ornaments
• Small door or wall decorations

Very small mesh pieces can be placed inside clear fillable ornaments. Combine several colors or add ribbon scraps for a coordinated design.

Medium pieces can be rolled, gathered or layered around a small form to create simple seasonal shapes.

For a tree decoration, gather mesh in graduated sections so the lower area is wider than the top. Add a ribbon bow, ornament or small sign as the focal piece.

Use leftover colors from earlier projects. Red and green pieces can be saved for Christmas, orange and black for Halloween, team colors for sports ornaments and pastels for spring or Easter.

Browse wreath ornaments for finished accents that can be combined with mesh, ribbon and other supplies.

8. Decorate Parties And Special Events

Deco mesh can add noticeable color to party decorations without requiring large or heavy materials.

Use leftover mesh for:

• Chair-back bows
• Buffet table accents
• Photo backdrop details
• Banner ties
• Gift table decorations
• Entryway swags
• Balloon display accents
• Cake-table decorations
• Graduation or school-color displays
• Tailgate and game-day parties

For a coordinated display, repeat the same mesh color in several places.

For example, use small pieces:

• Around the gift table
• At each end of a banner
• Behind the main centerpiece
• On several chairs
• Around a photo backdrop
• Near the party entrance

Do not allow loose mesh to block walkways, exits or areas where food and heat sources are present.

A few well-placed accents often work better than trying to use mesh on every available surface.

9. Make Team-Color And School-Spirit Decorations

Leftover mesh in sports or school colors can be reused throughout the season.

Possible projects include:

• Game-day wreath accents
• Tailgate table decorations
• Team-color gift baskets
• Senior-night displays
• Graduation decorations
• School-spirit bows
• Banquet centerpieces
• Locker or office decorations
• Fan-cave accents
• Craft show display details

Combine two team colors with a neutral such as white, black, silver or gold.

A partial roll may provide enough mesh for a small wreath, bow, table decoration or group of ornaments even when it is not enough for a full-size wreath.

Browse sports wreath supplies for signs, ribbon, ornaments, frames and accents that coordinate with football, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey and other sports.

You can also use team wreath supplies to locate coordinated products for NFL, NCAA, MLB, MLS and NHL teams.

How To Combine Leftover Mesh Colors

Leftover mesh does not have to match perfectly, but the colors should look purposeful together.

Try one of these approaches:

Use Two Main Colors

Combine two team, school, holiday or seasonal colors.

Examples include:

• Red and white
• Blue and orange
• Purple and gold
• Black and orange
• Red and green

Add A Neutral

Use black, white, cream, natural, silver or gold to connect leftover colors that might otherwise compete.

Repeat One Color

When using several mesh pieces, repeat one dominant color throughout the project. Repetition creates consistency.

Coordinate With A Sign

Use colors from a wreath sign, party sign or other focal piece to guide the mesh and ribbon selection.

Use One Bold Finish

If one mesh contains wide foil, stripes or strong metallic accents, combine it with a simpler solid mesh instead of another equally busy pattern.

Read what type of deco mesh to use in a wreath for help comparing basic, metallic, wide foil, fabric and poly burlap mesh.

Tips For Working With Leftover Deco Mesh

Test The Piece Before Cutting It Again

Place the mesh into the project before shortening it. It is easy to remove additional length, but you cannot replace material once it has been cut.

Keep Cut Edges Controlled

Deco mesh edges may fray after cutting. Handle the pieces carefully and position cut edges toward the back or center of the design when possible.

Sharp scissors or a rotary cutter can produce a cleaner cut than dull tools.

Use Secure Fasteners

Depending on the project, use:

• Chenille stems
• Floral wire
• Zip ties
• Built-in wreath ties
• Ribbon
• Staples
• Hot glue for small lightweight accents

Connect heavier decorations to the frame or base instead of relying only on the mesh.

Coordinate Before Attaching

Place the mesh, ribbon, sign and accents together before permanently securing anything.

This allows you to compare:

• Colors
• Patterns
• Proportions
• Shine
• Texture
• Overall balance

Protect Finished Decorations

The life of a finished decoration depends on all its materials, including mesh, ribbon, signs, glue and accents.

Covered outdoor areas generally offer more protection than locations exposed to prolonged rain, strong sunlight or severe weather. Bring the decoration inside during extreme conditions when practical.

Store Mesh Carefully

Roll long remaining sections around a piece of cardboard or an empty mesh spool.

Place smaller pieces in clear bags or bins labeled by:

• Color
• Holiday
• Team
• Mesh type
• Approximate size

Avoid crushing heavy containers on top of mesh rolls.

When Should You Discard Leftover Mesh?

Not every scrap must be saved.

Discard a piece when it is:

• Badly crushed
• Severely frayed
• Dirty or stained
• Faded
• Brittle
• Melted or heat damaged
• Too small to attach securely
• Taking up more storage space than it is worth

Saving usable material can reduce waste, but keeping every tiny scrap can make the craft area harder to organize.

Set a minimum usable size based on the types of projects you normally make.

Can Leftover Deco Mesh Be Used In Another Wreath?

Yes. A leftover mesh color can become:

• A secondary ruffle
• A curl bundle
• A small bow
• A sign accent
• A contrasting base section
• A filler behind ribbon
• A group of decorative tails

You do not need enough mesh for the entire wreath.

Select a main mesh for the base, then add leftover pieces in several balanced areas.

Follow how to make a deco mesh wreath for beginners when you are ready to assemble the frame, mesh, ribbon, sign and accents.

Final Thoughts

These uses for leftover deco mesh can help you turn partial rolls and cut pieces into practical accents instead of automatically discarding them.

Long sections can become garlands, swags and table decorations. Medium pieces are useful for ruffles, bows, gifts and floral arrangements. Small scraps can fill ornaments, decorate packages or add team colors to another project.

Sort the remaining mesh by size and color, keep only the pieces you can realistically use, and choose projects that work with the material you already have.

FAQs About Uses For Leftover Deco Mesh