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9 novel ways to reuse a novel (or any other book)
If you don't mind tearing up a book, you can make a spot to hide your stuff, create origami creatures, or decorate a headboard.
Thu, Aug 02 2012 at 2:02 PM
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Photo: Randy Cox/Flickr
If you’re the type of person who could never imagine taking apart a book — removing its pages, cutting off its cover, etc. — then please stop reading now. This article is not for you. And I totally understand! Some people have such emotional attachments to books; the thought of repurposing them is simply horrific. (For all of you, Atlanta painter and decorating expert Kass Wilson wrote a tutorial on how to make bookshelves the focal point of a room.)
But for the rest of you, here’s a few awesome ideas (other than creating a decorative library) for upcycling the used books you’ve got lying around:
The whole book . . .
1. Secret stash
Perfect for hiding your cash, your naughties, or even just your remote control. It’s easy to make your own book safe using any old hard cover book. First, wrap the front cover and first few pages in plastic. Close the book and brush puzzle glue (or diluted white glue) onto the pages: top, bottom, and sides. Allow to dry, preferably with something heavy sitting on top. Remove the plastic and open the front cover and first few loose pages, then use a box cutter to carve out the secret compartment. It’ll take a while! Apply glue to the pages' "walls" of the compartment, and again allow to dry. All said and done, the book should appear totally normal when closed.
2. Cactus planterMade in much the same way as the stash box above, in this case you’ll plant a succulent inside the compartment, and leave the cover open as part of the finished look. Use the thickest book you can find to give your cactus as much rooting area as possible. Glue the pages, cut a nice deep hole, and then line the hole with wax paper. Add potting soil, plant a small cactus inside, and cover with more potting soil. Trim the excess parchment paper and revel in your whimsy.
3. Phone/electronic charging dock
Same concept as above, but applied a bit differently. This time you’re going to cut into the actual cover, removing a section just the size of your charging dock. A drill helps to get it started and a razor will finish the job. Cut the compartment down into the pages so that the whole dock can settle into the book, leaving it flush on top. Now, use the razor to cut a trail through the pages where the cord can run through and out the back (through the pages, so the spine will remain for display). Now you’ve got an adorable electronics charging station, perfect for your bedside table or by your front door.
Just the pages . . .
1. Decoupage
Decoupage is a technique whereby paper is glued to an object and then sealed with varnish. It is a lovely and durable decorative technique, and using book pages lends oodles of charm. You could decoupage chairs, table tops, small wooden boxes, or any other item that you wish. A friend did the rim of a cheap full length mirror, and it looked amazing. I’ve even seen entire walls!
2. Origami
Book pages make the most beautiful origami paper. You can make animals for children, art for your home, and ornaments for the holidays. For a good friend’s 30th birthday, I bought 30 little trinkets and made 30 origami balls to house them. She had a blast opening them all over the course of a few weeks. Origami is timeless and terrific.
3. Gift accessories
You can use book pages as wrapping paper, in place of tissue paper, or as fancy packing material. Or, cut out a pretty shape and use it as a gift tag atop your present.
Just the covers . . .
1. A headboard
This is a super cool DIY project: an easy, awesome way to use up a whole stack of old books (either hard or paperback) without having to be a professional carpenter. Just cut off the covers and use them to create a sort of patchwork over a piece of plywood (paint the edges for a polished look). Mount it above your bed and it’s an instant book-lover’s dream room. This would be especially adorable in a kid’s room, using vintage children’s books.
2. e-Reader coverYou can make a really cool case for your Kindle or iPad by simply removing all the pages from a hard cover book. Leave the spine and covers attached and slip your e-reader inside.
3. A picture frame
Use a razor or small saw to remove a cutout from a funky hardback book. Voila! Instant picture frame. Rectangle is standard, but a heart, circle or any other shape would work.
Got any other novel ideas? Leave them in the comments!
Related recycling story on MNN: 8 uses for yogurt containers
Sayward Rebhal originally wrote this for Networx.com. It is reprinted with permission.
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Fold the pages and create wonderful wall art. Instructions here: http://www.refabdiaries.com/2012/01/book-folding-free-patterns.html
A lot of libraries have "Friends of the Library" programs that re-sell donated books and any books the library is replacing or rotating out of their inventory. The books that can't be sold or they get too many copies of (especially best-sellers and romance novels) get tossed in the dumpster. The disposed books are a key source for "pre-cycling" as projects.
I made coffee table legs out of hardcover books. All it took was some threaded rod, a couple bolts, a drill, and some glue. The top is a piece of tempered glass I picked up at a yard sale.
To echo what Marzipan said, I've found copies of classics at the Friends of the Library store where I live and I've made new covers for them out of scrap hardwood. I use a piece of canvas or scrap leather to make a false back binding for them. I use a woodburning pen for titling and scrollwork. They make nice gifts that are a neat addition to friends' bookshelves.
How about donating it to a library so someone else can read it too???
I am not sure this is what you mean. But even though I have made a little money, and can afford to buy hardcovers of my very favorite authors when they first come out, I am still too cheap to do so. So now I assuage my thriftiness by pre-ordering the book at first release, then donating it to the local library right after I read it. They appreciate having the brand-new book, which they might buy anyway, and I get to both read my favorites and feel good about giving to charity.
TP
I recently bought some wooden letters, then cut the pages of the Hunger Games up to the correct width, rolled the strip up, then glued them to the letters. It turned out really cool!
love these ideas!!!