Unexpected Uses for Leftover Wallpaper

Walls

Placing pieces of leftover wallpaper in interesting frames is a great way to create an inexpensive and unique piece of art. A grouping of the same pattern or a collection of different wallpaper pieces can be a great focal point. Don’t hang it in the same room you originally put the wallpaper in though; try hanging it in one of the rooms opposite to create a sense of continuity and related design. Don’t have interesting frames? You can still use wallpaper as art by making an Asian-influenced scroll. Simply affix the ends of a long, rectangular piece of wallpaper to two dowels, and then attach a coordinating ribbon to the top for hanging. Another creative way to get wallpaper on the wall is to cover boring; basic frames with your scraps, then use them to house favorite photos or other interesting items.

Furniture

Tired and worn furniture can get a new lease on life with the addition of some leftover wallpaper. Give a dresser an update by removing the hardware from the drawers, and then apply your leftover wallpaper to the drawer fronts. Paint the rest a coordinating color, reattach the hardware, and you’ve got a brand new piece! Try using leftover wallpaper to line the back of a china cabinet, display case, or bookshelf for a pop of unexpected color and pattern, or use it to line the interior of a drawer for a colorful surprise upon opening! If your remnant is vinyl wallpaper, consider lining kitchen drawers or shelves for an easy-to-clean surface that’s also easy on the eyes.

Dining

Liven up your place settings by using your leftover wallpaper! You don’t need a lot to line a basic serving tray, then coat with polyurethane for protection. Use remnants to make colorful placemats by gluing the backs of two rectangular pieces together, and then have them laminated. Cut circles to create fun “chargers,” or if you only have a small amount, make coasters by affixing wallpaper to the backs of clear glass tiles.

Coverings

It’s expected that you’d use wallpaper to cover a wall, but by using it to cover other things you can really put the “fun” back in functional. Decorative storage boxes can be pretty pricey, but when you cover shoeboxes or other containers you have around the house with leftover wallpaper you get the same effect for virtually no cost. Use scraps to cover a tin can for a cute pencil holder, or cover lots of them, add some fresh flowers, and use to create an unconventional centerpiece. Leftover wallpaper also makes a great book cover or an unexpected stand-in for wrapping paper.