Don't settle for boring jeans. Try this trick instead

Having to pay $40 or more for a good pair of jeans can really put a damper on your mood. What's worse, if you're looking for jeans with style, you're probably going to wind up paying even more. And if you grow out of or rip your jeans, what are you going to do with them besides throw or give them away?

Your jeans were expensive, and you should be able to use them long after they're comfortable to wear. Also, you shouldn't have to pay extra for a pair with a fun design or accessory. We've put together a number of denim hacks that help you dress up, hack or recycle your jeans in useful ways.

Do you have at least two pairs of jeans you no longer wear and a bare wall in your home? With a sewing machine and a serger, you can make this beautiful wall hanging that will put you remind you of travel and faraway mountaintops. Hang it in your office or bedroom, and get inspired to explore the world in a new pair of jeans. Get the tutorial here.

With a little clever pinning and sewing, you can turn an old pair of jeans into a lovely and practical apron that not only holds your tools but protects your new jeans. This is really easy to make; the jeans have everything you'll need, including a built-in strap and a button for the back of your apron. Get the tutorial here.

Cut a Christmas stocking from a pair of old, unwanted jeans, and give it a professional finish with a serger. Hang your denim stocking in the living room or above the fireplace for an Instagram-worthy scene. Get the tutorial here.

This project works best when you use a pair or two of jeans with multiple colors of denim. It requires some mathematical and serging skills, too, but you'll be delighted with the results. Place your denim pillowcase on a regular throw pillow and display it anywhere from the couch to a guest room to a child's bed. Get the tutorial here.

Did you rip an otherwise perfect pair of jeans below the knee? Consider turning them into a denim skirt. Once the hard part of cutting, stitching and serging is over, you can leave the hemline unfinished to give the skirt a worn, distressed look. Now, you can keep wearing your favorite pair of jeans, no matter what! Get the tutorial here.

Why should you have to pay more for a pair of jeans that already looks worn? If you can buy a pair of intact blue jeans at a reasonable price but want the look of distressed denim, use a Dremel. It's easy and fun, and allows you to get exactly the amount of distress you want. Get the tutorial here.

It can be so hard to let a beloved pair of jeans go. With this DIY, however, you can turn them into a beautiful, practical tote bag that will allow you to keep the best thing about your jeans: their pockets! This tutorial is easy and requires just a bit of time and sewing know-how. Get the tutorial here.

As discussed previously, paying extra for designer denim is a thing of the past. You can give a denim skirt, jeans or tote some cute eyelets and even add some colorful tassels. This is a surefire way to dress up your denim easily and without paying much. Get the tutorial here.

When you put eyelets in a pair of denim jeans, go the extra mile and create a lace-up effect with a piece of ribbon. This easy touch will give your old jeans an exciting look and allow you to dress up any outfit while still feeling comfortable. Get the tutorial here.

Don't throw out old jeans or pay extra for a special design when recycling denim into something else or giving it a little extra flair is so easy. You don't ever have to settle for a boring pair of jeans when there are so many ways to dress them up.
​