Cover Old Bowls With Book Pages To Make Stylish Decor For A Bookshelf

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In the process of decluttering your kitchen, you might come across a bowl (or two) that you no longer use and have thought about discarding. But what if you could upcycle it, completely transforming the utilitarian kitchen item into a stylish decorative object — something attractive enough to fill a bare spot, such as on a bookshelf? Numerous DIYers prove that it can be done using beginner-friendly techniques and with low-cost materials you might already have in your home, such as pages from an old paperback that's gathering dust. And what better way to adorn an empty bookshelf than with ... book pages?

We're talking about decoupaging a bowl, of course. Using book pages in decoupage is smart because they often "read" as neutral in tone, making the decoupaged item suitable for just about any interior aesthetic. Old books in particular make great decor in more ways than decoupage, so if you don't have one you can use, you might want to visit your local thrift store to see what books they have in stock. You can cover the bowl entirely in the pages or just the interior or exterior while using different mediums and materials for the other half, such as metallic paint or nautical rope. And the best thing about a repurposed bowl is that it's more than a decorative object: It can serve as a trinket or small storage container for office supplies, keys, change, and other odds and ends.

For this project, you'll need a decoupage medium such as Mod Podge or a 1:1 mixture of water and standard white glue (such as Elmer's Multi-Purpose Glue-All), a craft paint brush, some jute twine, a glue gun, a bowl, and book pages. The latter can be hand-torn or scissor-cut into anywhere from one to several inches wide.

Because decoupage paste dries fast, you need to work in sections for this project. Start at the rim of the bowl: Coat a section with paste using your brush, then lay a page strip over the coated area. (When working on the rim only, fold the piece over the edge; it's okay if it looks uneven on the bowl exterior because the twine will cover it later.) Slather a thin coat of the paste on top of the paper piece. Repeat these steps, working your way around the bowl interior to the center. Let it dry before continuing. For the exterior, hot-glue the start of your jute twine to the bowl rim, covering the folded paper strips. Wind the jute around, coiling your way to the center of the bowl's bottom and gluing every so often to secure it. Once you reach the center, snip the twine and hot-glue the end down.

Consider tweaking this project as you like: The book(s) you source the pages from can be vintage or modern, and have serif or sans serif type face. It can be a reference book such as a dictionary or illustrated botanical encyclopedia, or even a piano book to express your literary or musical leanings. Apply Mod Podge in a finish you prefer, whether matte, satin, or glossy. And instead of twine, go with a thicker rope like cotton macrame cord (which is available in a range of colors). 

Looking for other stylish upcycles you can make with an old bowl or book? Try this easy plaster decorative bowl made with two IKEA pieces, or a Dollar Tree book-turned-flower-vase for the perfect book lover's decor.