DIY Book Covers with Wallpaper: An Easy Shelf Styling Hack

DIY book covers with wallpaper are a simple way to transform everyday books into stylish home décor. With just a few easy steps, they can add color, texture, and charm to any shelf or table display.

This blog contains affiliate links. This means a small commission is earned if you make a purchase by using this link. The price you pay will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link. As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.

I’ve always loved books for the stories they tell, but I’ll admit something—I also love them for decorating. A stack of new books on a coffee table or a single hard cover book on a nightstand just seems right.

This post is giving me a chance to combine my love of books with my love of fall decorating.

From Vintage Bookshelves to DIY Book Covers

This month’s Pinterest Challenge image is the creation of Michele at Vintage Home Designs.

Her fall styled bookshelves are amazing!

Her beautifully decorated shelves are full of cozy, warm textures that are perfect for the fall season.

At first, I thought this challenge would be difficult for me because my usual color schemes are the polar opposite of Michele’s gorgeous neutral palette.

But this is where the fun comes in. I can use her creation to inspire my own color-coded version!

Here are the specific features that really spoke to me.

• Books turned backwards, displaying beautiful textures
• Layered plates with pumpkins
• Woven baskets
• That amazing bust on the top shelf!

Here is my interpretation in my wallpaper backed bookcase.

I started with layering plates both vertically and horizontally.

Truth be told, I usually consider these to be summer plates. But when I add a few colorful pumpkins, the plates instantly say “fall charm!”

The upper shelf incorporates a woven basket. a see-through glass bust, and a little twist on the lovely books from the challenge image.

The inspiration photo showed beautiful fall shelves with books turned backward so only the pages were on display. It’s a clever way to get a neutral, cohesive look, but I wanted to try something a little different.

Instead of hiding the cover of a book, I created my own covers using wallpaper. This way, the books still face forward while adding color, pattern, and texture—perfect for styling shelves for any season.

My twist?

I tucked colorful wheat sheaves into the pages of the books for a whimsical and colorful addition to the display.

You can see how I made the colorful wheat sheaves HERE.

I love how the bookshelves evolved!

And while the inspiration photo is “Team Neutral” and I am captain of “Team Color”, I think we both captured the spirit of fall with our own style and personality!

Let’s Make Those DIY Book Covers!

Do you remember the brown paper bags we used to cover our school books? You’d fold and tape and maybe doodle your name across the front cover—and if you were really fancy, you’d add a sticker or two.

Well, this is the older version’s grown-up glow-up!

Instead of brown bags and a ballpoint pen, I’m using leftover wallpaper to create a DIY book cover that’s not only fun to make, but also makes your book shelf look polished and pretty.

It’s one of those easy ways to turn hardcover books or new books into beautiful décor. And bonus…it doesn’t take much time at all!

Let’s walk through the process together, just like we would have in a cozy classroom on the first day of a new school year…but with less glue on our hands!

Why Cover the Cover?

You might be wondering—why make your own book cover at all?

It turns out, making your own covers can completely transform the look of a room.

That bright red title from 1993 might not match your soft neutral color scheme.

Or maybe you found a hardcover book at the thrift store with a great shape but a questionable cover image.

Here are a few great reasons to try a diy book cover:

• It brings color and texture to your shelves.
• You can coordinate with other décor.
• You can hide book covers that don’t match your style.
• It’s a great way to reuse thick paper or wallpaper scraps.
• You can still remove the paper and go back to the original book later.

And let’s be honest—it’s just plain fun.

Supplies You’ll Need

This project doesn’t need a lot of time or materials. Here’s what to gather:

• A hardcover book (start with one, but you’ll want to make more!)
• Wallpaper or wrapping paper (wallpaper has more heft, so it is less likely to tear.)
• Scissors 
• Bone folder (or an old gift card or credit card to smooth folds)
• ​Optional: tape

I especially love using paintable wallpaper for DIY book covers. The raised surface adds such a great texture—you can feel the pattern as much as you can see it.

It gives the cover of a book a little extra dimension, making it stand out on a shelf or table. Plus, you can leave it white for a crisp look or paint it any color to match your décor.

How to Make a DIY Book Cover

Choose a hardcover book with a smooth front cover, back cover, and spine (nothing spiral-bound), and remove any dust jacket.

Open the book flat on the book cover  side down, and place it in the center of the wallpaper

Place the book on your wallpaper and check to see how the pattern works on the outside of the book…florals, stripes, or solids all look great.

Trim the paper so it’s about 2 inches taller than the top to bottom of the book and 4–5 inches wider than the book when it’s fully open.

If you have wallpaper samples, this is the perfect project to use them!

Center the book in the middle of the back side of the wallpaper. Fold the wallpaper on the top and bottom of the book first, pressing the paper down toward the cover of the book. 

Use your bone folder (I used my Costco card!) to smooth each crease and remove any bubbles.

Now for the sides. Simply curve the folded ends toward each side of the book and insert the cover into the fold.

Close the book to make sure everything folds well. The spine should move easily, and the flaps should stay tucked in.

Then stand it up and admire it—you’ve just made your own beautiful paper cover!

Now make a second book.

Or a third…

Before you know it, your bookshelf will have a whole new look!

It was fun to style this nightstand with a stack of books with their textured wallpaper jackets!

Wrap-Up

Making a diy book cover is such a simple project, but it can totally change how a room feels. It’s a great way to make your new books feel personalized—or bring a fresh look to old favorites.

You don’t need a lot of time, just a stack of books waiting for new covers.

Be sure to head over to WM Design House and see how Wendy interpreted the Pinterest Challenge to style her fall bookshelves with thrifted finds!

Cheers!

A Little About Me

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

Pin the images below to your boards on Pinterest (just click the Pin button in the top left corner). You can also follow along with me on Pinterest!

My Favorite Wallpaper