Vintage books can be used to decorate your home.They fit into a variety of styles.There are many ways to decorate your space with old books, whether you leave them the way they are and display them on bookshelves, or repurpose them into something else entirely.
Step 1: Set a budget.
Vintage books can cost a lot.Determine how much you want to spend on books.Buying cheap hardcovers is better than buying authentic vintage books if you are going to deconstruct them.
Step 2: There are flea markets and thrift stores.
You can find old books with cloth or leather covers at flea markets and thrift stores.More vintage items can be found in thrift stores in nicer parts of town.You can find shops by typing "thrift stores near me" into your favorite search engine.While browsing the store, look for books that appear to be a matching set, or just find random ones to create a more eclectic look.
Step 3: Find old books on eBay.
People who want to get rid of old books can find them on auction sites.To find books that are decor-worthy, try searching for "vintage books" or "set of old books".The seller will ship them in waterproof packaging if you verify.
Step 4: Dust jackets need to be removed from hardcover books.
If you remove the dust jacket, most books will look better.Cheap hardcover books can be found at a used bookstore if you don't want to spend a lot of money on vintage books.Before you leave the store, check behind the dust jacket to make sure you like the book underneath.
Step 5: Use books you already own.
If you like the way the cloth cover looks, check under the dust jacket for any hardcover books you have at home.Even if you only have paperbacks, you can still use the bound or unbound pages to decorate your home.
Step 6: If you want to age new books, soak them in coffee.
If you want the aged book look without spending a lot of money, find a book that you don't mind deconstructing.Take the pages out of the cover and put them in a bowl or bucket of coffee.If you want to dry the book, hang it in the sun.
Step 7: The books should be stacked vertically and horizontally.
There are books that are not lined up along a shelf.If you want to create some variation on the shelf, place a vertical stack of two or three books beside your lined up books.It will reduce the number of books you need to buy.The vertical stacks can be used to hold the others upright.
Step 8: The books should be used as risers on the tables.
A small stack of books can be placed on a side table.Put a lamp, small clock, or candlestick on top of the books.When you find the level you like best, change the number of books in the stack.
Step 9: Large books can be used as coffee table books.
Old atlases, almanacs, or textbooks can be placed on tables as coffee table books.Books with a large visual on the front cover are best.They should be put on a large tray with a vase of flowers and an interesting object.
Step 10: The books have the same color scheme.
A cohesive color scheme can be created by stacking books.Pick books that are different shades of blue or brown for a neutral look.The same white or cream-colored spine can be obtained if the covers are removed.
Step 11: Change the color of books with paint.
If you want your books to match, brush the covers lightly with paint and hang them up to dry.Glue the material to the inside of the cover.
Step 12: To match books, look at the room's theme.
Vintage children's books can be used to decorate a nursery or place old gardening books in a sun room.If you have a room with a nautical theme, look for old seafaring books or vintage copies.
Step 13: The old pages should be bundled with twine.
If you want a book to look like it is, you should remove the cover.You can either separate the pages or keep the spine intact.Place the package on a bookshelf, table, or windowsill with some twine around it.Tie the twine in a bow and add a dried flower for a more feminine decor style.
Step 14: Use books as shelves by attaching them to the wall.
Purchase L-brackets to attach the book to the wall as a shelf, and drill a couple small holes near the edge of the flap.Light objects should be placed on it like bud vases or small picture frames.
Step 15: To become a table, stack books.
If you have a lot of books, put them in a column next to a couch or armchair and use it as a side table.To make it sturdy, place the larger, heavier books at the bottom and work your way up to the lighter, smaller books.You can glue the covers together if you don't plan to reuse them.
Step 16: To make a planter, cut a hole in a book.
To hollow out a book, you need to glue the pages together, drill a hole in each corner and use a box cutter.Place your book planter in the windowsill after placing a shallow plastic container inside to hold a plant.
Step 17: The books are on the wall.
Hang an old paperback book on the wall by piercing the back several pages and back cover with thumbtacks.The book is surrounded by a frame that has the glass removed.Group the books on the same wall for a bigger statement.
Step 18: You can make a wreath out of a book.
If you want to keep this shape, tear pages out of an old book and roll them into a cone.Working your way back to front, glue each cone to the styrofoam wreath mold.You can hang the wreath on any wall you want.If you want a more elaborate wreath, you can roll the pages into other shapes.
Step 19: The pages should be used as wallpaper.
You can get an extra copy of a book if you want to use it as wallpaper.Hold each page where you want it to go on the wall and paint over it with Mod Podge.It's a good idea to cover your desk or bed.