4 Modern DIYs Using Leftover Wallpaper

Maybe you’ve recently renovated and have extra lying around or you’ve recently found the perfect print? Well Christian Dare is here to show us how to take our DIY projects to the next level using wallpaper.

Our first DIY is creating a custom clock. First, you need to disassemble your clock, and if you don’t have a spare lying around, you can always pick one up at the dollar store. Then wrap your clock face in your wallpaper, cut to size, stick, and don’t forget to poke a hole to put your hardware back in. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, you can add numbers on with vinyl, but I like leaving mine more minimalist.

You can line the inside of your dresser drawers with wallpaper. There are a few ways to try this look. You can wallpaper the outside of your drawers or the bottoms of the interior, but the application is the same. Cut your paper to size and adhere to the desired area, and make sure you get all the air bubbles out. Now open your drawer and get a pop of fun colour every time.

Upcycle an old, plain lampshade to get a unique look. The trick with this one is that we will recover over the existing paper on your shade. Step one is to make a paper template for your shade. Test it out to make sure it fits. Next, transfer your template you the back of your wallpaper. Cut it out, and adhere it to the lampshade using a hot glue gun. You can add some grosgrain ribbon to the edges for a more finished look.

Wrap your hangers, of course! This may seem like a small detail, but it can have a large impact on a space we don’t often consider. The trick to this project is to pick a wallpaper with a pattern that you can trim around. For example, if you have a floral, you can cut around the individual flowers and leave the background. Next, you want to use decoupage glue (or white glue watered down) and apply glue to the back of the wallpaper cutouts. Once all pieces are stuck to your hanger, you want to cover the whole hanger with another coat of glue. It’s just like if you were making decoupage furniture. This coat will protect your design from wear and tear.