What to do with extra wallpaper...

Hi Christine,

I recently had wallpaper installed in the powder room! You said to start small so I did, and I love it!! But: I did end up with an entire double roll leftover which I can not return anymore...Any ideas on what to do with it? I don't want to paper another room in the same paper so it can be unique to the powder room but I hate to see anything going to waste, especially since I love the pattern...

Sonia

Hi Sonia,

First of all- may I say that we want to see the bathroom! Before and after pictures please :)!

So- what to do with the leftover? When I was young, my grandmother used old wallpaper for gift wrapping. I remember unwrapping the thick heavy paper. I am sure I never appreciated how cool it was at the time.

I did a little hunting- combined with a little thinking- and here are some ideas for you: First of all- I found this great post from the decorologist- (photo above)- that had some charming ideas.

I found this seller on Etsy that covered light switch plates in vintage wallpaper. The same seller covers drum shades- (you could even do smaller chandelier shades)- and also tissue holders.

These vintage wallpapers made great frames- from Kate Jones Unique Finds.

Southern Living September 2009 had this article on framed wallpaper. This is also a good way to use wallpaper in an old discontinued book- or you can order large samples from a lot of books for $5 each- and select a variety of patterns for a similar collage.

I found this Cheerio box garbage can idea on this cute craft blog.

Some other thoughts:

1. cover boxes of any kind.


2. line the bottom of trays


3. re-cover old books


4. cover soup cans to make pencil holders


5. cover bookshelves- or any wall shelf


6. line your drawers


7. Mod Podge a piece of furniture- or part of a piece


8. make greeting cards


9. use the paper in scrapbooking

So- anyone else have some ideas we can add to the list? I have said before- that I am not the handy crafty type- rather the hire the right person for the job type- but I am a little inspired to Mod Podge a piece of furniture! I wonder if the inspiration will last long enough to actually do it...?

You might also find that there is a re-sale market for extra wallpaper- if you aren't the craft- making type- but have the paper- sell it to someone who is.