Transforming old books into charming decorative accessories is a simple yet incredibly impactful way to refresh your home decor. This easy DIY project takes less than 10 minutes and promises to elevate everyday items, turning something ordinary into a noteworthy display. It’s a creative solution for adding personality and a touch of vintage elegance to any room.
I appreciate the ease and beauty of fresh flowers – the vibrant mums of fall, festive poinsettias during the holidays, or cheerful tulips in spring. They arrive conveniently in plastic pots, offering an instant splash of color without the need for intricate floral arranging skills or even a dedicated vase. Their simplicity allows for effortless seasonal updates, bringing natural beauty indoors with minimal fuss.
However, the one drawback of these convenient potted plants is the often unsightly plastic container or the flimsy foil wrapping. Over the years, I’ve discovered various ingenious ways to disguise these utilitarian pots. Today, I’m excited to share a brand-new, eco-friendly method that utilizes the beautiful covers of old books, turning a functional necessity into a stylish decorative element.
When I embark on a treasure hunt at thrift stores, my eyes are always peeled for hidden gems like unique baskets, classic white pitchers, and platters. But beyond these, I actively seek out Reader’s Digest Condensed Books or any hardback book with an appealing, colorful cover. The content of the books is irrelevant; my interest lies solely in their vibrant patterns and diverse hues, which offer endless possibilities for creative decor projects. These forgotten literary pieces are perfect for upcycling into charming home accents.
Why Reader’s Digest Books Are Perfect for DIY Home Decor Crafts
Many of us grew up with Reader’s Digest Condensed Books gracing our bookshelves, a testament to their widespread popularity for decades. Their distinctive compact size and often elaborate cover designs make them ideal candidates for repurposing into unique decorative items. You might even discover a few collecting dust in your own home, waiting for a new lease on life.
Historically, these books were often used by interior decorators simply for their aesthetic appeal. With their jackets removed, their hard covers revealed a spectrum of colors and patterns, perfect for adding visual interest and filling a bookcase with vibrant hues. Beyond their decorative charm, they are incredibly budget-friendly, typically available for a dollar or less at various secondhand outlets. This affordability makes them an accessible choice for anyone looking to add unique style without breaking the bank.
The art of repurposing old books has gained significant traction among crafters and DIY enthusiasts. These creative individuals find countless ways to upcycle and transform discarded books into new, functional, and beautiful objects. From intricate sculptures to clever storage solutions, the possibilities are vast, offering a sustainable approach to home decorating.
My passion lies in discovering inventive methods to repurpose these literary treasures. Recently, I devised a brilliant and easy technique to utilize two old books to elegantly conceal an unappealing plastic planter pot. This specific craft provides an instant upgrade, transforming a mundane object into a focal point of your decor.
To craft this charming decorative cover for your plant, you can use any two hardback books, as long as their height is comparable to that of your plastic pot. The goal is to ensure the book covers completely hide the planter, creating a seamless and polished look. This simple requirement makes the project highly adaptable to various book sizes you might find.
Reader’s Digest Condensed Books are particularly well-suited for this project, almost as if they were designed for it! Their standard height of approximately 7-5/8 inches is often the perfect dimension to cover basic plastic pots, which commonly house mums, poinsettias, and a variety of other popular houseplants. This consistent sizing takes the guesswork out of selecting the right books.
Imagine the seasonal possibilities: a rich green book cover beautifully complementing a festive holiday poinsettia or a miniature Christmas tree. Picture a cheerful turquoise cover framing vibrant pink or sunny yellow tulips in the spring, adding a fresh burst of color to your table. The selection of book covers allows for endless customization, enabling you to effortlessly match your decor to the changing seasons and your personal style. It’s an incredibly versatile way to integrate sustainable, unique elements into your home.
Effortless DIY: How to Create a Planter or Vase Cover Using Old Books
This creative project truly requires no advanced crafting skills. All you need are two old hardback books with attractive covers, a pair of sharp scissors, and some durable tape. It’s a remarkably straightforward process that will instantly conceal an unappealing plastic pot or vase, imbuing it with unparalleled style and charm. The beauty of this craft lies in its simplicity and the immediate transformation it provides.
Making a decorative cover to hide or disguise a mundane planter is so incredibly simple that it barely warrants a detailed tutorial. However, to ensure everyone can achieve a perfect result, here’s a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to help you effortlessly create this unique home accessory.
Supplies Needed:
- Two hardback books with appealing covers. Ensure they are roughly the same height as your plastic planter pot.
- Duct tape (or another strong adhesive tape for durability and ease of use)
- Sharp scissors or a craft knife (for precise cutting)
Time needed: 10 minutes
How To Make a Pretty Cover to Hide an Ugly Vase Using Two Old Books
- Step 1: Carefully Separate Book Pages From Covers
Begin by opening one of your selected hardback books. Using a pair of robust scissors or a precise craft knife, carefully make a clean cut along the inner crease where the book pages meet the inside of the cover. This separation should free the entire block of pages from the spine and covers. Repeat this process for the other side of the book. Then, perform the same steps on your second book, ensuring that each set of pages is completely detached, leaving you with just the two hard covers. Take your time to ensure clean cuts, as this will result in a tidier final product.
- Step 2: Inspect Separated Covers
Once you have meticulously cut the pages out from both books, you should be left with two distinct, empty hard covers. The inside of each cover will now reveal the raw spine area where the pages were previously attached. This is what your separated covers should look like, ready for the next stage of assembly. Ensure there are no stray paper fragments or jagged edges for a clean finish.
- Step 3: Securely Tape Book Covers Together
Lay your first book cover flat on your work surface, inner side facing up. Take your second book cover and align its bottom edge perfectly with the bottom edge of the first cover. Once aligned, use a strip of strong duct tape to firmly attach the two covers along one of their long edges (where the spine would naturally be). Press down firmly to create a secure bond. Carefully trim any excess duct tape so that it rests just beneath the top edge of the book covers, ensuring a neat and concealed finish when viewed from above. This step forms the initial connection of your decorative cover.
- Step 4: Connect the Remaining Sides
With the covers still positioned right side down on your worktable, take another length of duct tape. Apply this tape along one of the remaining open edges of a cover, allowing half of the tape to extend slightly beyond the edge. Now, carefully stand both covers upright, bringing the two unconnected edges together to form a cylindrical or rectangular shape (depending on your plant pot). Align these edges precisely, ensuring they meet flush. Once aligned, firmly press the exposed half of the tape onto the adjoining book cover, creating a strong, continuous seam. This final taping step completes the structure of your planter cover.
- Step 5: Final Tape Trimming and Refinement
After securing both sides, take a moment to inspect your newly formed book cover cylinder. If necessary, use your scissors to meticulously trim any lingering excess tape, ensuring that all taped edges fall just below the top rim of the book covers. This attention to detail will provide a clean, professional appearance and prevent the tape from being visible once your plant pot is inserted. A well-trimmed edge signifies a polished final product, enhancing the overall aesthetic of your DIY decor.
- Step 6: Your Completed Planter Pot Cover is Ready
Congratulations! Your custom-made decorative planter pot cover is now complete. It will present a seamless and attractive casing, perfectly designed to conceal your plastic pot. Take a moment to admire your work – it’s ready to bring a touch of unique style to your plant display. This simple yet elegant solution is now poised to transform your home decor.
- Step 7: Place Over Your Planter or Vase
Using your newly crafted book cover is wonderfully straightforward. Simply slide it down over your existing plastic planter pot or even a plain vase. The snug fit will instantly hide any imperfections, showcasing only the elegant book covers. When you wish to change your decor or no longer need the cover, it can be easily removed and flattened for compact storage, making it a convenient and reusable decorating solution. This ingenious method ensures your plants always look their best, effortlessly blending into your curated home aesthetic.
Where to Unearth Your Next DIY Book Decor Treasures
If your personal bookshelves don’t hold the ideal candidates for this creative project, don’t fret! Old books, especially those with interesting covers perfect for upcycling, are widely available and incredibly affordable. For just a few dollars, you can easily find a treasure trove of suitable books at various locations:
- Thrift Stores: These are goldmines for inexpensive, often vintage hardback books. Browse their book sections for unique colors and patterns.
- Church Bazaars & Charity Shops: Similar to thrift stores, these local events and shops often have a selection of donated books at very low prices.
- Parents’ or Grandparents’ Homes: A quick chat with family members might reveal a hidden stash of old books they’re happy to part with, perhaps even some classic Reader’s Digest editions.
- Flea Markets & Yard Sales: These outdoor markets are fantastic for uncovering unique items, including boxes of old books just waiting to be repurposed.
- Ebay & Online Marketplaces: For specific collections or types of books, online platforms can be a convenient way to find what you’re looking for, often in bulk.
Beyond Planters: More Creative Ideas with Reader’s Digest Books
The versatility of old books, particularly Reader’s Digest Condensed Books, extends far beyond simple pot covers. If you’re searching for an inspiring and creative gift idea or simply another way to personalize your home, consider decorative letter art. These charming letters are meticulously cut from the hard, colorfully patterned covers of recycled Reader’s Digest books.
Because these decorative letters are crafted using the entire book cover, they possess a sturdy base that allows them to stand freely on their own. They make an exquisite statement piece on a desk, a mantelpiece, or even arranged creatively on a bookshelf, facing outwards to display their unique patterns. They add a sophisticated, literary touch to any space and make for truly memorable, personalized gifts.
You can often find ready-made book letter art or similar unique creations at artisan markets or online. For instance, these particular Reader’s Digest Condensed Book Letters can be purchased here:
- Readers Digest Condensed Book Letters
These are just a couple of the myriad creative ways to utilize old books in your home decor. To dive deeper into the world of upcycled book crafts, a quick search on Pinterest or Google for terms like “repurpose old books,” “DIY crafts with old books,” or “old book crafts” will unleash a torrent of brilliant ideas. You’ll be amazed at the ingenuity of crafters who find uses for every single part of a book.
Imagine creating a stunning book page wreath using the inner pages, crafting unique bookmarks from decorative book spines, or even transforming entire book blocks into clever hidden storage boxes. From intricate sculptures to functional art, the potential for repurposing old books is truly boundless. It’s a fantastic way to embrace sustainability while infusing your living space with unique, handmade charm.
Now, take a moment to look around your home. Do you have any forgotten books tucked away that could be reimagined and transformed into beautiful, decorative pieces for your living space? This sustainable and creative approach to decorating not only adds character but also tells a story, giving new life to old literary treasures.
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