Looking for creative ways to upcycle old books? These DIY book crafts are perfect for turning worn-out novels, outdated encyclopedias, or thrifted hardcovers into stylish home decor, clever storage solutions, and handmade gifts.
Don’t toss that tattered novel or outdated encyclopedia just yet – turn it into something beautiful and functional instead! From hidden storage and vintage-inspired wreaths to upcycled phone chargers and kitchen decor, old books are a goldmine for clever, creative DIYs. If you’re a book lover, craft enthusiast, or just looking for a unique weekend project, these ideas will give new life to your forgotten pages and add character to your home. Whether you’re into rustic book page wreaths, hidden book safes, or functional projects like a book knife block, this list of book recycling ideas will inspire your next DIY project and help reduce waste in a fun, artistic way.
Table of Contents
- 1. Book Page Rose Wreath
- 2. DIY Hidden Book Storage
- 3. Turn Old Books into a Knife Block
- 4. Iphone Dock From Old Books
- 5. DIY Book Balls
- 6. Book Page Gift Bags
- 7. Heart Garland From Old Books
- 9. DIY Deer Book Art
- 10. Book Photo Frame
- 11. DIY Book Purse
- 12. Dollar Store Book Topiary DIY
- 13. Place Card Holders Made Out Of Old Books
- 15. Old Book Clock
- 16. Book Page Bunting
- 17. Portable Art Case
- 18. DIY Book Vase Planter
- 19. DIY Cell Phone Charging Book
- 20. DIY Glass Jar Tea Light Holder
- 21. Old Book Lantern
- 22. Repurposed Book Flower
- 23. Book Page Pumpkin
- 24. Make New Books Look Old
- 25. DIY Snowflake Covered Books
- 26. DIY Old Book Accordion Organizer
- 27. Turn an Old Book into a Book Box
- 28. Boxes Covered With Old Books
- 31. DIY Book Page Tags
1. Book Page Rose Wreath
This DIY craft tutorial guides you through tearing out pages from an old book, crafting them into spiral-cut roses by rolling and gluing, then layering them onto a grapevine base (with optional burlap “leaves”) for a rustic wreath. It’s an easy, budget‑friendly project that gives damaged or outdated books new purpose as charming, farmhouse‑style décor. A hot glue gun and a little patience transform forgotten pages into a beautiful, vintage-loved piece. Such a pretty way to use old book pages!
2. DIY Hidden Book Storage
This craft tutorial shows how to repurpose old hardcover books into stylish secret storage by hollowing out the center pages and using the solid front and back covers to disguise the compartment on your shelf. The easy-to-follow method uses tools like an X‑Acto knife and glue to create a snug hideaway for small valuables, with no fancy woodworking required. It’s a charming, functional way to upcycle books and keep things discreet. I just love this idea and have it on my “must make next” list of DIY ideas.
3. Turn Old Books into a Knife Block
This clever DIY book craft tutorial transforms old hardcover books into a stylish knife block by hollowing or filling the spines with dowels or skewers to securely hold knives. The process involves sealing books (and plywood bases, if used) with Mod Podge for durability, binding them together, and sliding in knives – creating hidden, conversation‑starter storage. It’s a resourceful, eye‑catching upcycle that brings functional charm to any kitchen.
4. Iphone Dock From Old Books
This clever DIY idea for old books repurposes an old hardcover book into a phone charging dock by hollowing out the pages, gluing them securely, drilling a slot for the charger, and using the covers to camouflage the setup. It creates a hidden charging station that blends seamlessly on your nightstand or bookshelf – no fancy tools beyond an X‑Acto knife, drill, and glue are needed. The result is functional, stylish, and a great upcycled decor piece that works great on an end table.
5. DIY Book Balls
Scalloped circles punched from old book pages build up into a ball with real texture, and it is one of the prettiest things I have seen come out of a book headed for recycling. They look lovely heaped in a bowl. Muslin and Merlot has the tutorial.
6. Book Page Gift Bags
This DIY book craft shows how to make vintage-style gift bags by folding and taping pages from an old book (like a flea-market dictionary) into small bags, then adding stamped accents, ribbon handles, or washi tape closures. It offers simple variations – sewn seams, reinforced pages with Mod Podge, or punching holes for ribbon – to customize the size and finish. A clever, eco-friendly upcycle that turns forgotten book pages into beautiful, reusable gift packaging. Make DIY gift bags that a free and way cuter than anything you could buy in stores.
7. Heart Garland From Old Books
Do you love diy projects old books? This heart garland from old books idea is exactly the kind of thing I go looking for. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the from old books. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Twelveonmain has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
9. DIY Deer Book Art
This diy deer book art idea is simple, quick, and exactly a clear how-to I keep coming back to. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Get the full recipe from Lifeisaparty to see every step.
10. Book Photo Frame
Why not try an easy tutorial the easy way? This book photo frame idea makes it simple. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Head over to Itsalwaysautumn for the complete recipe.
11. DIY Book Purse
DIY Book Purse – yes please. This one delivers on handmade goods without any fuss. My first attempt at this was not exactly picture perfect, but it still turned out great, which taught me not to stress over it. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basics you probably already have. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. The complete step by step version is linked above.
12. Dollar Store Book Topiary DIY
This is home decor, and I never get tired of it. I learned the hard way that rushing this one is not worth it, so give yourself the extra few minutes. It’s simple to put together and always turns out great, especially with the store book topiary. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Sweettmakesthree has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
13. Place Card Holders Made Out Of Old Books
Whether it is a weeknight or a get-together, this place card holders made out of old books idea fits right in if you love craft ideas. I almost skipped this one the first time around, and I am glad I did not, because it turned into a regular around here. It keeps well too, so it’s easy to make ahead of time. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. You can grab the whole recipe from Sewafineseam at the link.
15. Old Book Clock
Refabdiaries nailed it with this old book clock idea – easy crafts, no fuss. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the old book clock. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Head over to Refabdiaries for the complete recipe.
16. Book Page Bunting
My family always asks for step by step instructions like this, and this book page bunting idea is one we keep making. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Check out Breidawithab’s full tutorial for all the details.
17. Portable Art Case
Ever crave a fun DIY? This portable art case idea is the one I keep going back to. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Blog has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
18. DIY Book Vase Planter
I have always loved fun crafts, and this diy book vase planter idea is a great example why. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. You can grab the whole recipe from Refabdiaries at the link.
19. DIY Cell Phone Charging Book
This diy cell phone charging book idea is quick, easy, and a real win for a clear how-to. My first attempt at this was not exactly picture perfect, but it still turned out great, which taught me not to stress over it. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basics you probably already have. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Get the full recipe from Caughtonawhim to see every step.
20. DIY Glass Jar Tea Light Holder
Why make it complicated? This diy glass jar tea light holder idea keeps an easy tutorial simple. I learned the hard way that rushing this one is not worth it, so give yourself the extra few minutes. It’s simple to put together and always turns out great, especially with the tea light holder. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Head over to Morningcreativity for the complete recipe.
21. Old Book Lantern
Old Book Lantern? Sign me up. This is handmade goods done right. I almost skipped this one the first time around, and I am glad I did not, because it turned into a regular around here. It keeps well too, so it’s easy to make ahead of time. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Check out Craftandcreativity’s full tutorial for all the details.
22. Repurposed Book Flower
Here is a fun DIY, and I keep coming back to it year after year. This is one I originally made by accident, sort of, after improvising with what I had on hand, and it stuck. It comes together faster than you’d expect for how good it tastes. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Designeddecor has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
23. Book Page Pumpkin
From a quiet night in to a full house, this book page pumpkin idea works if you love fun crafts. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the book page pumpkin. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. You can grab the whole recipe from Creationsbykara at the link.
24. Make New Books Look Old
Try this make new books look old idea next time you’re after a clear how-to. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Get the full recipe from Shabbyfufublog to see every step.
25. DIY Snowflake Covered Books
Livelovediy really knows an easy tutorial, and this diy snowflake covered books idea shows it. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Head over to Livelovediy for the complete recipe.
26. DIY Old Book Accordion Organizer
Around here, this diy old book accordion organizer idea disappears fast whenever I make handmade goods. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Check out Wingsofwhimsy’s full tutorial for all the details.
27. Turn an Old Book into a Book Box
Looking for a fun DIY that actually works? This turn an old book into a book box idea is it. My first attempt at this was not exactly picture perfect, but it still turned out great, which taught me not to stress over it. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basics you probably already have. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Korrinewojcik has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
28. Boxes Covered With Old Books
I will admit it, I am obsessed with fun crafts, and this boxes covered with old books idea proves it. I learned the hard way that rushing this one is not worth it, so give yourself the extra few minutes. It’s simple to put together and always turns out great, especially with the covered old books. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. You can grab the whole recipe from Trash2treasure at the link.
31. DIY Book Page Tags
DIY Book Page Tags, and it is a good one. Just fun crafts, no fuss. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the book page tags. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Check out Morningcreativity’s full tutorial for all the details.
