Cover Old Books In Fabric To DIY Your Own Decor On A Budget

As you start to fill your house with stacks of books, in all the crannies and all the nooks, take Dr. Seuss' advice a step further with a creative approach to dressing up book covers that may have seen better days. Find a few scraps of fabric and enhance your gorgeous bookshelves with cloth-clad books. An undertaking both literary lovers and design enthusiasts can appreciate, this easy-to-tackle DIY is an inexpensive way to show some personal flair and adorn your space with fun patterns and complementary colors. And — before you panic — yes, this project will still allow you to read the book you've decorated. 

Whether you need an idea for a cozy book nook, shelf, or coffee table, stacks of novels in fun fabrics allow you to play into the comforting, lived-in ambiance so many homeowners are craving. Plus, you can dip into any decor style you'd like: Bold colors and graphic patterns for a maximalist approach or a range of muted tones for an earthy, refined aesthetic. Take a note from Amy Anderson, creator of Mod Podge Rocks, who details a step-by-step approach to adding fabric to books. Note that this method will only work with hardcover selections.

Before you begin, first gather your novels of choice and materials: fabric (Amy Anderson suggests a cotton textile), a paintbrush, white acrylic paint, decoupage glue, scissors, and wax paper. Keep in mind, you'll only need to paint the book if you're working with a light textile and a dark book cover. If you do paint the book, wait for the paint to dry fully before moving on to the following step. Next, cut the fabric to size and leave a few additional inches to work with. Place the textile on a large piece of wax paper and use a brush to apply decoupage glue, adhering the two materials together. Then, it's time to be patient. 

Once everything is dry, test fit the fabric, folding where appropriate so you'll know where to place it on the book and where to potentially cut off excess pieces. Apply the glue to the front of the book first, followed by the fabric. Then, follow with the spine and back of the book. Once you've fine-tuned and managed to tuck and fold any excess fabric, you'll have a cute piece of decor that's sure to make a literary statement on your bookshelf. Do this to a few books and your bookshelves will soon look like they're straight out of a design magazine. To further accentuate the display, try a few prop styling ideas for your bookshelf. A hanging potted plant or small artwork that complements the fabric's colors can make your book haven feel even more uniquely yours.