Since wallpaper tends to be sold in a standard 10 metre roll size, it is not unusual to find yourself with a few lengths of it left over after papering a room. Don’t let this go to waste - if you’re keen enough on the print to hang on your walls, you can probably find another use for the leftovers!
There are the obvious things which require little effort - lining a drawer in pretty paper gives it an instant lift, and it also makes great wrapping paper (though you will need super-strength sellotape for this, it being thicker than standard wrapping paper). But what are some other things we can do with leftover wallpaper? We turn to textile artists and all-round creatives Eppie Thompson of ‘The Fabled Thread’ and Sarah Campbell of her eponymous design studio for their tips and tricks.
Cover your storage boxes, albums, picture frames and more
While there are lots of companies selling wonderful paper covered storage boxes and containers out there, this is actually something incredibly simple to make yourself. You’ll need a bit of patience for your first box as you’ll have to measure out and create a template of the box to cover in your paper. But once you have cut and measured, they are quick to repeat and a much more cost-effective option, particularly if using leftover wallpaper!
For these, my preference has always been to use double sided tape to stick the paper down, as I find wallpaper paste or PVA glue can cause the paper to start buckling, making it harder to get neat edges.
I covered lots of IKEA paperboard boxes in leftover paper from Cambridge Imprint in my studio, then added metal label holders over the top so I could identify what is in each one. Take a look at Muji who often have great cardboard storage solutions which could be wonderful covered in paper. - Eppie Thompson
Add trim to a shelf
Cut your paper to fit the width of your shelf and fix it against the back of the shelf. Allow a few inches of excess wallpaper that, when folded, hangs over the front of the shelf. You can cut this overhang into scallops, triangles, or even add some lacy motifs into the shapes. It’ll give your cupboards an instant refresh. - Sarah Campbell
Make bunting
Start by drawing the shape of your flag: you want two triangles of about 20 cm on each side, joined at one edge so when it’s folded in half you’ll have two equilateral triangles. Fold this over a length of string, secure the string down the middle of the fold and then glue the two plain sides together.
Repeat this along the length of the string, placing the triangle 'flags' an equal distance apart. You can make this with smaller triangles, or with semi-circles (cut as whole circles and again folded down the middle over the string) or a mixture of patterned shapes. - Sarah Campbell
Lining cupboards and bookshelves
Off-cuts of wallpaper are perfect for adding a bit of interest to the back of bookshelves and cupboards. I did this in the kitchen of my old flat. Lining the stark white cupboards with offcuts of yellow wallpaper helped to soften the kitchen.
This is really simple to do – either measuring and cutting the pieces of paper then sticking them in place using some wallpaper paste, or, as I did in my kitchen, with double sided tape. This very basic approach worked well as I had glass shelves which slid in and held the paper in place, and it wasn’t a high use area. If there is a chance the paper will be exposed to water, then it's best to varnish the paper with a couple of coats of a clear varnish once in place. This will help prevent water damage. - Eppie Thompson
Making paper decorations
Never throw your offcuts of paper away, no matter how small, as they are perfect for making paper decorations, which deserve a spot in your house year-round. Whilst there are obvious and simple ones like paper chains, there are also lots of origami options to create baubles, stars, garlands, paper banners and more. I have lots of guides for all sorts of different decorations you can make from paper, on my website. - Eppie Thompson
Create your own artwork
Try making a decorative composition, such as a work on a piece of card, cardboard or sturdy plain paper. Start by finding a theme – this can be colour, texture, or narrative. Cut and tear papers to make interesting juxtapositions. You can add in scraps of cloth and perhaps some pieces of paper painted from the tester pots for your room colours to tie it all together – the colour charts from the decorators merchants make very good collage material!
It’s fun to add some surprises too – a family photo, a leaf from the garden, a line from a poem…
Remember not to stick anything down until the last minute – the great thing about a collage is that you're free to move things about until you get the balance just right – be open to chance! You can make more of the work by laying it on a nice surround or mount made with the wallpaper. - Sarah Campbell
DIY party hats
This couldn’t be an easier way to have a very elegant party hat. Make a conical hat and decorate with cut-out flowers, butterflies, birds or whatever takes your fancy. - Sarah Campbell
Create a playhouse
Entertain children for hours by turning a big carton into a playhouse, castle, shed or windmill. Paper the inside, cut windows and make paper flowers for the window-boxes, you can even make paper curtains, a decorative front door, and interesting window shutters. - Sarah Campbell
Shoe-box dolls' rooms
Another way to delight young children is to paper the inside of some shoe boxes. Cut out windows and paper the floor to make carpet. You can furnish this with dolls house pieces to make a tiny room. These individual rooms can then be arranged from high-rises to bungalows, whatever the game requires. - Sarah Campbell
