Leftover Wallpaper Scraps? Turn Them Into This Beautiful Decorative Bowl

If you have ever wallpapered a room, you know the drill. You measure carefully, you hang beautifully, and then you end up with a pile of leftover wallpaper scraps. Well, I’m here to tell you that those wallpaper remnants are not clutter. They are creative potential just waiting to happen. Here’s what to do with leftover wallpaper!

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For the Love of Wallpaper

I love wallpaper!

If you have followed me for very long, this is not exactly a newsflash.

Wallpaper…like red lipstick, aspen trees, and dark roast coffee…has my heart!

Wallpaper is one of my favorite elements in interior design.

The beautiful patterns, the intricate design, the colorful wow factor it can bring to any room.

If painting a room is the quickest way to change the look of a room, then wallpaper is the easiest way to create a dramatic impact in a room!

So What Do You Do with Leftover Wallpaper?

Today, I am sharing one of my favorite easy DIY projects ever.

And then sticking around to give you even more creative ways to repurpose wallpaper scraps throughout your home.

But let’s start with the star of the show…

Let’s Get Scrappy…Wallpaper Scrappy!

Cute DIY decor projects that are inexpensive (ok, cheap!) are so satisfying!

I’m talking under five dollars, a simple project from start to finish, and the result looks like something you would find in a boutique home decor shop.

The secret? A plain plastic bowl from Dollar Tree and your leftover wallpaper scraps.

That’s it! No special skills required.

Just a little patience and a little creativity!

Allow me to turn your attention to my sister’s gorgeous bathroom vanity area.

I have to admit to being a little jealous.

Great space, great mirrors, and a GREAT wallpaper pattern!

My sister knows I like to create something out of nothing. So, in true sisterly generosity, she gave me the wallpaper scraps.

I had no idea what I was going to do with them, but I was thrilled!

How to Craft a Decorative Wallpaper Bowl

Step #1: Cut your strips.

Using your ruler or straight edge as a guide, cut 1-inch wide strips of wallpaper. Make them 1 inch longer than the height of your bowl.

 My bowl is 6 inches tall. So, I cut my strips 1-inch wide and 7 inches long.

Step #2: Activate the paste.

Brush wallpaper paste onto the back of each strip, then “book” the strip by folding the pasted sides together. Let it sit for 30 to 60 seconds before unfolding.

If you are using peel-and-stick wallpaper, skip this step entirely!

Step #3: Apply the strips.

Press each strip onto the side of the bowl, folding about a half inch over the top and bottom edges.

Continue overlapping the strips in the same direction as you go.

Vary the wallpaper pattern and colors for a fun, abstract look.

Or, keep it intentional if you prefer a more defined wallpaper pattern.

Step #4: Cover the inside.

Apply the strips to the inside of the bowl the same way, continuing to overlap as you go.

Step #5: Cover the bottom.

Cut circles from your wallpaper scraps (A biscuit cutter makes a perfect template!) and apply them to the inside and outside bottom of the bowl, overlapping as needed.

About five circles on each side does the trick.

Step #6: Let it dry.

Give it a few hours, and you are done!

Just remember, this is not a food-safe bowl. So keep it as a beautiful design element rather than a snack bowl!

More Creative Ways to Use Leftover Wallpaper Scraps

Still have extra scraps of wallpaper lying around? (Of course you do. We all do!)

The good news is that there are so many fantastic ways to give those wallpaper pieces new life around your home. Here are some of my favorites!

Framed Wallpaper as Wall Art

This is hands down one of the easiest ways to create perfect wall art in your home for almost no money.

A smaller piece of leftover wallpaper, a great frame, and a little painter’s tape is honestly all it takes.

I used leftover black and white wallpaper scraps tucked into gold frames to fill an awkward empty wall space in my living room.

The result? The look of high-end gallery art! See the full tutorial HERE.

Wallpaper Lampshade Makeover

Have a plain lampshade that has seen better days? A piece of wallpaper is a fantastic way to give it a completely new look!

Wendy at WM Design House lined the inside of a lampshade with this charming floral wallpaper.

Beautiful. Unique. So creative!

See Wendy’s tutorial HERE.

Dramatic Bookcase Makeover

If you have a full extra roll of wallpaper or larger leftover sheets of wallpaper, lining the back of a bookcase is an effective way to give a room an entirely new look.

The beautiful wallpaper pattern transforms the back panels of a bookcase into something truly special! It adds a colorful wow factor look that people will absolutely notice the moment they walk in. See the full before and after HERE.

The Bottom Line on Leftover Wallpaper

Wallpaper is one of the most versatile elements in home decor.

And that versatility doesn’t stop when the room is finished.

Small pile of wallpaper remnants? A stack of wallpaper samples? Or even an extra full roll?

There is a perfect wallpaper project waiting to happen!

So the next time you finish a wallpaper project, resist the urge to toss those scraps!

Tuck them away. And when inspiration hits…you are ready to create the most charming home decor in your house!

Cheers!

A Little About Me

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These are some wallpapers I am loving!