What To Do With Leftover Wallpaper?

 Sustainability, recycling, and reusing are topics that people think more and more about nowadays. Also, we at Livette's Wallpaper try to do things sustainably by producing all of our wallpaper made to order. We are always happy to help our clients calculate the precise amount of wallpaper needed for their projects, but still – when wallpapering, you can often stay with wallpaper scraps. What to do with it? In this blog post, we want to share three DIY ideas for leftover wallpaper projects!

1. Frame the Leftover Wallpaper

This fun and easy DIY wallpaper project is suitable for both wallpaper material leftovers – self-adhesive and traditional. Another big plus is that you can frame almost any size – from small to larger wallpaper pieces. Also, wallpaper samples are perfect for this DIY project!

All you need is a blank frame, leftover wallpaper, a ruler, a pencil, and scissors. First, take out the frame backing and glass. Now you have an empty frame that will be your “viewfinder” – place it over the wallpaper to find the fragment you want to frame. Using a ruler, measure the wallpaper fragment you chose according to your frame size, mark it with a pencil, and cut out your new wall art piece. Now it is ready to be framed and hung on your wall!



For this project, we chose Khaki Green Air Balloon Wallpaper and Light Green Botanical Foliage Removable Wallpaper, and the result looks so cute! If you feel inspired by this idea, check out our recent blog post about How To Design a Gallery Wall.

2. Make a book or journal cover from leftover wallpaper scraps

Our second DIY wallpaper project – book or journal cover – is suitable for traditional material wallpaper. This cover will not only protect your book, but also give it a decorative look. Use your leftover wallpaper pieces, or if you have a wallpaper sample left after your interior project – we can whisper – traditional material sample size 25”x20” will be perfect for this DIY project!

We created an easy step-by-step tutorial showing how to cover a book with traditional material wallpaper! Follow these steps:  

 

1. For this project, you will need a book, journal or notebook, leftover wallpaper, a ruler, a pencil, scissors, and adhesive tape.
2. Open the book flat and put it on the wallpaper. Measure and mark about 2,5″ wider on the top and bottom, and about 4″ wider on each side of the book.
3. Cut off the excess wallpaper.
4. Fold over the 2,5’' on top and bottom of the wallpaper.
5. Put the book on the wallpaper over folded parts top and bottom parts. Open the book it and position it in the middle of the wallpaper.
6. Fold one 4” end at the crease. Do the same on othe other side.
7. Take off the book and make sure all folds are in place.

8.-9. Using adhesive tape connect both folded parts. Repeat on all corners. You can skip this part, but we advise using adhesive tape for more precise results.

10.-11. Put the book on the wallpaper and insert one book flap.

12.-13. Open the book and lift in the middle so you can insert the book flap on the other side.

14.-15. Make sure your cover fits the book, and all folds are in place.

16. Voila! Your book cover is ready!

 

For this leftover wallpaper project, we used Light Green Botanical Foliage Removable Wallpaper. We think that the patterns look so good as a book cover! Do You?

3. Upgrade furniture with wallpaper remants

Our final DIY project is suitable for self-adhesive leftover wallpaper. Some of our clients order self-adhesive wallpaper exactly to refresh & remodel their old furniture, and you can do that with leftover wallpaper too. It is a creative way to decorate your furniture and upgrade it to a new level!

The process is quick and easy. All you need is a ruler, a pencil, scissors or a cutting knife, a squeegee, and a leftover self-adhesive wallpaper. Measure the exact length and width of the piece of wallpaper you need, cut it out, and stick it on your furniture! But remember that the surface you will be applying the paper on must be clean, dry, smooth, and free of any mildew, grease, or stains for the best results. Of course, you can be more forgiving with this furniture DIY project than when you wallpaper your walls, still – you may find handy our blog post about How To Install Removable Wallpaper.



For this furniture DIY project, we chose to upgrade an old cupboard with Minimal Design Terrazzo Wallpaper. Now it looks like a brand new modern & minimal side table. We love the final result!

There is a saying that “a little goes a long way,” – we hope this blog post inspired you not to throw out your leftover wallpaper but give it a new life! We would love to hear your DIY ideas on how to use leftover wallpaper! Share your thoughts in the comments below!