Not every book deserves to stay a book.
Some are too damaged to read. Pages missing, spines broken, water-stained beyond recognition. Others are outdated textbooks nobody wants, encyclopedias made obsolete by the internet, or novels so worn they’d fall apart if you tried to turn a page.
You can’t sell them. Donation centres won’t take them. Throwing them in the trash feels wrong, but keeping them feels pointless.
That’s where upcycling comes in.
Old books, even ruined ones, are made of paper, glue, fabric, and board – materials that can be transformed into something else entirely. Something decorative, functional, or just interesting to look at. You’re not destroying a book out of spite. You’re giving it a second life in a form that actually serves a purpose.
This isn’t about crafting for the sake of it. These are practical, creative projects that turn unusable books into objects you’ll actually keep or give. Some take ten minutes. Others need an afternoon. All of them beat tossing books into the landfill.
When Upcycling Makes Sense (And When It Doesn’t)
Let’s be clear: don’t upcycle books that someone else could read.
If the book is intact, readable, and remotely relevant, sell it as a used book or donate it. Even books in acceptable condition have value to readers on tight budgets or students who need cheap reference material.
Upcycle when:
- Pages are torn, missing, or illegible
- The book has severe water damage, mould, or structural collapse
- It’s an outdated encyclopedia, directory, or reference book with zero resale value
- You’ve already tried selling/donating and nobody wants it
- The book holds sentimental value but isn’t readable (childhood books, inherited texts)
Don’t upcycle:
- Rare, collectible, or first edition books (even damaged ones may have value to collectors)
- Books in readable condition
- Anything someone explicitly asked you not to alter
Once you’ve confirmed a book is genuinely beyond practical use, it’s fair game.
What You’ll Need (Basic Supplies)
Most of these projects require minimal tools. You probably have half of them already.
| Item | Why You Need It |
| Craft knife or box cutter | Cutting pages cleanly |
| Scissors | Trimming and shaping |
| Ruler | Measuring, straight edges |
| Strong adhesive (PVA glue, hot glue gun) | Sticking pieces together |
| Mod Podge or clear varnish | Sealing and protecting paper projects |
| Paintbrush | Applying glue or varnish |
| Pencil and eraser | Marking cuts or folds |
| Cutting mat (optional but helpful) | Protecting surfaces while cutting |
For specific projects, you might need paint, string, decorative elements, or small hardware like hinges. We’ll mention those as we go.
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Book Page Wall Art (Zero Skill Required)
This is the simplest upcycle. No cutting, folding, or complex assembly. Just framing.
What it is:
Pull out pages with interesting typography, illustrations, or text passages and frame them as wall art. Works especially well with old poetry books, vintage novels, botanical guides, or maps.
How to do it:
- Choose pages with visual appeal (illustrations, decorative borders, or text you like)
- Carefully remove pages or photocopy them if you want to preserve the book
- Trim to fit your frame size
- Arrange single pages or create a collage of multiple pages
- Place in a frame
- Hang individually or create a gallery wall
Why it works:
Vintage book pages have texture and character that plain prints don’t. They look expensive but cost almost nothing.
2. Hollow Book Safe (Functional and Sneaky)
Turn a thick hardcover into a hidden storage box. Classic, practical, and surprisingly easy.
What you’ll need:
- Hardcover book (thicker is better)
- Craft knife
- Ruler
- PVA glue or Mod Podge
- Paintbrush
Steps:
- Open the book and decide how many pages from the front you want to leave intact (10-20 pages works as a cover)
- Use a ruler and pencil to draw a rectangle on the first page you’re cutting, leaving a 2-3 cm border on all sides
- Apply glue along the edges of the pages to bind them together (this prevents tearing while cutting)
- Let it dry completely
- Use a craft knife to carefully cut through the glued pages, following your marked rectangle
- Remove cut sections and repeat until you’ve hollowed out the depth you want
- Apply glue to the inside edges of the hollow to seal and strengthen it
- Let it dry overnight
What to store:
Cash, jewelry, keys, USB drives, or anything small and valuable you want hidden on a bookshelf.
Variation:
Use old textbooks or encyclopedias. Nobody’s opening those.
3. Book Planters (For Small Succulents)
Combine books with greenery. Works beautifully with hardcovers and shallow-rooted plants.
What you’ll need:
- Hardcover book
- Plastic liner or small plastic container (to protect the book from moisture)
- Potting soil
- Small succulent or cactus
- Craft knife (optional, if you want to hollow out pages)
Steps:
- If you want a permanent planter, hollow out the centre pages using the same method as the book safe
- Line the hollow with plastic (cut a small container to fit, or use heavy-duty plastic sheeting)
- Fill with soil and plant your succulent
- Water sparingly (succulents don’t need much, and you want to protect the book)
Alternative (non-destructive):
Simply place a small potted plant on top of an open book and arrange it as décor. No cutting required.
Display ideas:
Cluster several book planters together on a shelf or use them as table centrepieces.
4. Folded Book Sculptures (Patience Required)
This is the project you see all over Pinterest – pages folded into patterns, words, or shapes without cutting or gluing.
What it is:
You fold pages at specific angles to create 3D designs. Common patterns: hearts, stars, initials, words like “READ” or “LOVE”.
How to learn it:
Search YouTube for ‘book folding tutorial’ and follow along. There are free templates online for specific patterns, or you can freehand simpler designs.
Best books for this:
Thick paperbacks or hardcovers with lots of pages. Avoid glossy or coated paper as it doesn’t fold cleanly.
Why do it:
The result looks impressive and makes a great gift or decorative piece.
Recommended Read: Steps to Find Rare or Out-of-Print Books Online
5. Book Page Envelopes and Gift Wrap
Use book pages instead of wrapping paper or store-bought envelopes.
For envelopes:
- Find an envelope template online (or trace an existing envelope)
- Cut book pages to size
- Fold and glue edges to form the envelope
- Seal with glue, washi tape, or a sticker
For gift wrap:
- Choose pages with interesting text or images
- Wrap small gifts (books, jewelry boxes, candles)
- Tie with twine or ribbon
6. Book Spine Labels and Bookmarks
Salvage the best parts before recycling the rest.
Book spine labels:
Cut out the spine of a damaged book and use it as a decorative label. Glue it to storage boxes, jars, or folders for a vintage library aesthetic.
Bookmarks:
Cut pages into strips (about 5 cm x 15 cm), laminate or coat with clear varnish, punch a hole at the top, and thread with ribbon or tassel.
7. Decoupage Projects (Furniture, Boxes, Trays)
Decoupage is the art of gluing paper onto surfaces and sealing it. Book pages work beautifully for this.
What you can cover:
- Wooden boxes
- Picture frames
- Furniture (tabletops, drawer fronts, cabinet doors)
- Serving trays
- Lampshades
Steps:
- Tear or cut book pages into pieces (torn edges often look better than clean cuts)
- Apply glue to the surface
- Lay down pages, overlapping slightly
- Smooth out bubbles with your fingers or a brush
- Apply another layer of glue on top to seal
- Let it dry, then apply 2-3 coats of clear varnish for durability
8. Book Page Garlands and Bunting
Perfect for parties, seasonal décor, or permanent room decoration.
What you’ll need:
- Book pages
- Scissors
- String or twine
- Glue or tape
Steps:
- Cut pages into shapes (triangles, circles, hearts, pennants)
- Fold the top edge over the string and glue or tape it in place
- Space shapes evenly along the string
- Hang across walls, mantels, or windows
9. Rolling Book Page Beads (For Jewelry)
Turn pages into beads for necklaces, bracelets, or earrings.
What you’ll need:
- Book pages
- Scissors
- Wooden skewer or toothpick
- PVA glue
- Clear varnish or nail polish
- String or jewelry wire
Steps:
- Cut pages into long, thin triangles (about 2 cm wide at the base, 15-20 cm long)
- Starting at the wide end, roll the paper tightly around a skewer
- Glue the pointed end to secure the bead
- Slide it off the skewer
- Coat with varnish or clear nail polish to seal and add shine
- Let dry completely
- String beads onto wire or cord to make jewelry
10. Layered Book Sculpture or Stacked Art
Create sculptural pieces by stacking, gluing, and arranging books in unexpected ways.
Ideas:
- Stack books in a tower and top with a small lamp or plant
- Glue books together in a staggered formation to create a side table or pedestal
- Paint the edges of stacked books in a gradient or solid colour for modern décor
- Cut books into geometric shapes and arrange them as wall-mounted 3D art
FAQs
Is it okay to cut up books?
If the book is damaged beyond use or has zero value as a readable object, yes. Don’t destroy books that others could read or collect.
Can I upcycle library books or books I don’t own?
No. Only upcycle books you own. Library books, borrowed books, or books you’re holding for someone else are off-limits.
What if I regret cutting up a book later?
That’s why you should double-check before starting. If there’s any doubt, set the book aside for a week and revisit the decision.
Are there books I should never upcycle?
Yes. Rare books, first editions, signed copies, or anything with historical/collectible value should be preserved or sold to collectors, even if damaged.
What do I do with leftover scraps?
Recycle them. Small paper scraps can go into compost (if uncoated) or paper recycling bins.
Old books don’t have to end up in the trash or take up space out of guilt. If they’re truly beyond reading, upcycling gives them a second purpose – something decorative, functional, or just plain interesting. Pick a project that matches your skill level, set aside an afternoon, and turn something unusable into something you’ll actually want to keep.