The creative and crafty people of the net have come up with some amazing ideas to help you repurpose books you’ve finished reading. I’ve been compiling different types of ideas and this set has tutorials for making useful household objects out of old books. The links will take you through to the tutorials.
You might also be interested in my posts on how to use old books as decorative items, and how to use old book pages for arts and craft projects.
‘Girl in the Garage‘ Jen takes you through making a box from an old hardback.
Repurpose books to hold other books! Scavenger Chic shows how she made decorative shelving out of old books.
A different shelf design. This tutorial from Remodelaholic
Bookends from books! As created by Kristie at Fancy and Schmancy
To frame pictures. This tutorial is by Lauren Elise and appears on Paper & Stitch
Gail Wilson of My Repurposed Life has a 10-step tutorial on making a book cover table lamp
Another lamp tutorial for good measure. This one by Perfect Yellow Yolk
Hidden storage using just the spines. From Shannon at Sewing Barefoot
Angie at Knick of Time made this coat rack from old books and mismatched coat hooks.
Fresh Vintage by Lisa S has a brilliant tutorial on how to make this journal/scrap book out of an old hardback.
Book Lovers’ Headboard! A tutorial by jessyratfink on Instructables.
Lauren J shows how to make a book into a little clutch bag. Very clever!
Bookmarks from book spines, by Crafts a la Mode.
From books to clocks. This tutorial is by Pam Kessler at House of Hawthornes.
Books can be used to make an unusual knifeblock, like this one by Reuse Grow Enjoy.
Country Living has tips on making a storage book for your remote control.
How’s this for a cute coffee table? From Bob Vila
Honor at Home Heart Craft converted a book into a vase. Find out how to do it.
This beautiful pendant shade made from book pages and a simple paper lantern is by Allison Patrick at The 3 R’s Blog
Book planters for succulents. There’s guidance on how to do it by Bethany Nauert at Apartment Therapy
This little seat is basically a stack of books on wheels with an old drop in seat on top. From Upcycle Dzine
Roxanne at The Honeycomb Home used books to fill an empty fireplace. Keeps out the draughts and looks beautiful.
If you’d rather try and sell or donate your old books you might be interested in these posts: