12 Decorating Ideas For Leftover Wallpaper

Today’s eco-friendly wallpapers dress up your walls, but wallpaper is not just for your walls. Wallpaper is sturdy and decorative, and it lends itself to many DIY home design projects.

My last post addressed some of the healthy new eco-wallpapers and some alternatives for the wallpaper commitment phobic.

Try these decorating ideas using leftover wallpaper and it just might save money on home decorating and eliminate the need to buy more stuff.

Some of the ideas below require gluing the wallpaper to a surface. Depending upon the surface the wallpaper is glued on to, will determine the bonding product. Try Care2′s wallpaper paste recipe or a non-toxic adhesive such as Mod-Podge for these projects.

Here are 12 innovative uses for leftover wallpaper DIY:

1. Cover a wastepaper can. Measure the can, glue the back of the wallpaper, wrap the wallpaper around the can and smooth out the bumps.

2. Line a shelf or cupboard. Cut to fit and attach with double-stick tape or removable mounting squares.

3. Gift wrap. Grass cloth wallpaper samples are beautiful for gift wrapping.

4. Gift tags. Cut out graphics from the wallpaper and glue onto cardstock.

5. Line a serving tray. Cut to fit and attach with double-stick tape or removable mounting squares.

6. Cover storage boxes. Make a pattern by tracing the box. Allow at least an inch around for folding in. Paste the back of the wallpaper and press onto the box. Smooth out bumps.

7. Cover a decorative screen with wallpaper or make a room divider panel by covering a simple piece of plywood with wallpaper. Here’s some inspiration.

8. Cover a lampshade. The DIY directions are here.

9. Wallpaper as framed art. Measure frame (use the matboard as a guide), cut wallpaper and insert into a frame.

10. Book covers. Here’s how to fold a book cover.

11. Hang a scroll. Measure wallpaper, fold the top and bottom edges over wooden rulers or dowel rods and secure with tape and hang.

12. Bookmarks. Cut out graphics from the wallpaper and glue onto cardstock and a tassel or cord

Don’t forget to save some wallpaper for patches and repairs. What do you do with leftover wallpaper?

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Gordon V.

11:01PM PST on Feb 8, 2013

thank you

February 8
send a green star

Winn A.

6:48PM PST on Feb 5, 2013

Thanks

February 5
send a green star

Jesika J.

2:31AM PDT on Jul 13, 2012

Wallpapers are a captivating source of imagination. This side provide new desktop wallppaer and ideas for different situations, occasions and events. Be it for expression love of cats a romantic situation,Beautiful and well captured fruite wallppaers are hardly ignored and catches the eye.

July 13
send a green star

2:29AM PDT on Jul 13, 2012

Joy W.

10:21PM PDT on Nov 5, 2011

Thank you for all the wonderful ideas.

November 5
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Sisilie B.

10:30AM PDT on Sep 17, 2011

Cool ideas!

September 17
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Spoorthi B.

9:55PM PDT on Aug 29, 2011

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August 29
send a green star

Ve G.

8:54PM PST on Dec 19, 2010

cool.

December 19
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KS G.

12:43AM PDT on Nov 6, 2010

Thanks for the article.

November 6
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2:43PM PDT on Oct 27, 2010

Instead of buying self adhesive paper for shelves and drawers I use wallpaper. It's easier to put in (you can reposition it!) and easier to remove and looks nice, too. I also apply it to cardboard boxes to be used as gift boxes.