I am obsessed with decorating with books lately. I am decorating above my kitchen cabinets right now and I’m using books in several spots, and I’m totally digging it.
I created these cute little books by taping decorative paper to the outsides. It was a super fast project, and they make me happy every time I look at them. {That signifies a successful project in my opinion.}
All you need to complete this project yourself is:
A pile of books {I prefer them to be the same size}. I got mine at D.I. (Utah’s version of Goodwill} for less than a dollar each. The books I used are the condensed Reader’s Digest books.
Decorative paper {I purchased this pack of folders at Target in the dollar section about a month ago}.
Scotch tape
A pencil
and A paper cutter
Step 1: Measure the book and mark the outside with a pencil. Leave the length of the paper as long as possible.
Step 2: Cut the paper with your paper cutter to fit the size of your book. You will notice that most of the time, you do not have enough paper to go all the way around your book. Don’t worry, you will never see it.
Step 3: Tape the paper on the inside of one edge of your book to hold it into place.
and secure the other side with tape also. See how it doesn’t reach all the way around the book. It’s ok. {Yes, I realize that this book is super cute without the paper! But, I wanted all my books to match each other this time…I can always remove the paper down the road if I want to.}
When you stack your books, you won’t be able to see it.
Continue covering your books until you have your desired amount.
I even have enough paper left over that I can cover more later if I want to.
I stacked my books on top of my kitchen cabinets, and like I said earlier I love how cute they turned out. They make me happy when I look up there.
Books are a fun way to add fun details to any space in my opinion. Plus it’s a super inexpensive project! That’s a win/win!
xoxo, Happy Monday!
Brooke
That was a real nice idea. I have many old books that are great to have when I teach classes but they look ragady. I will use this idea in my library case…thank you
http://frugaliciouschick.blogspot.com
Snazzy looking books, Brooke! In grade school, we learned to cover books by folding 1″-2″ margins along the top and bottom of the paper. Then set the book atop the folded paper and fit the front and back bound covers *inside* the sleeves created by the margin folds. Then we could tape the book cover to itself, instead of damaging the book with tape. (I can remember some teachers looking with disdain or shrieking in horror when they would see paper taped directly to the book, at which point the whole class would get another demonstration of how to do it ‘properly’, hehe.)
By using this technique with heavy duty paper bags from the grocery store, more books survived many a school year to be passed on for use by the next year’s students. Some of the texts passed on to me were already decades old. So in an effort to honor the wisdom of teachers past, enjoy!
Of course, you may not care as much about preserving the book as my teachers once did, but grocery bag paper turned to the plain side could be decorated in myriads of ways, or this same technique could also be used with any paper as plain or fancy as the decorator desires. The more you intend to open and use the book, the thicker and more durable the paper you might use.
Happy crafting! You rock, Brooke!
Thank you for this!! xoxo!
You’re so welcome, and I’m thrilled you liked it, Brooke. You’ve inspired me and countless others on many a day with your innovative, creative ideas, techniques and solutions. The idea I posted was neither original, nor even mine, but if it enriches the life of just one person, (or lengthens the life of just one book! 😉 I am happy to have shared it.
Love the blog! Keep on crafting!
I LOVE the b/w tray behind the books!!!
You DIY decorating heretics… you all think books are for something other than READING!! 🙂
Ah! I used to wrap my school books in brown paper, although it wasn’t nearly as cute. Love this project.
I am addicted to your blog! Great Post! Looking forward to get more information from you. I have an older home with so many ideas in my head, but I also have 2 little ones that make doing things difficult. So for now I will decorate vicariously through you!