Projects Using a Roll of Wallpaper

Make over a hand-me-down side table with decoupage. Paint the table with two coats of metallic paint and a coat of metallic glaze for extra shimmer. Let dry. Cut a scrap of wallpaper to fit the top. Coat the table with decoupage glue, position the paper, and cover it with several layers of decoupage glue. (Allow each coat to dry before applying the next.) Finish the top with a spray sealant.

A basic glass-front bookcase becomes a stellar service cart with just a roll of wallpaper. After removing the legs and doors, prime and paint the bookcase. When dry, wallpaper the outside surfaces and install casters to the bottom. Reattach doors.

Add flair to an entry using wallpaper. Here, open locker cubbies transform the entry and make it easy for the whole family to access and organize gear. Pretty wallpaper lines the backs of the lockers for style and dimension.

After removing the shirred fabric and rods from the panels of these hinged, decorative shutters, we gave the frame a fresh coat of paint. Then we tacked wallpaper-covered plywood panels onto the back to make a zippy privacy screen.

Editor's Tip: Let loose! Wallpaper is a fun medium, so play around and see what needs a new look in your space. Accessories such as these are quick, affordable updates.

Retro bird wallpaper instantly dressed up this once plain wood headboard. To get the look, simply cut the wallpaper according the shape of the headboard. Attach using the manufacturer's instructions.

A discarded display cabinet gained new life with lipstick-pink paint and sections of punchy damask paper inside and out.

Editor's Tip: Keep your jewelry organized by attaching clothes hooks and cup hooks to a wall-hung cabinet.

Use wallpaper inserts trimmed with molding to dress up bland or dated cabinet fronts. To update a boring built-in, first apply colorful paint. Next add flair to the cabinet fronts by attaching decorative wallpaper in coordinating colors. Finish by framing the wallpaper inserts with painted molding and adding new hardware.

We used floral paper to rejuvenate the drawer fronts of a tired dresser. And the lampshade project is a snap. Just cut paper slightly larger than the shade. Adhere, pressing firmly to smooth wrinkles. Once dry, simply slice off the excess paper with a craft knife. Use the same technique to cover artist's canvasses with coordinating papers for instant art.

Editor's Tip: Look for artist's canvasses that are fully wrapped (rather than stapled along the edges) for a more finished look for your unframed artwork. We paid $2-$7 for the varying sizes.

Spotlight framed black-and-white photography in an artful way by covering plain mats with leftover wallpaper. Cut the paper to fit and apply it to mats with double-stick tape.

This simple project can be done to a picture frame or a tiny mirror as seen here. To get this look, lay the frame flat and cut around the edge leaving about an inch border. Trace around the inside hole, be sure to leave about 1/2 inch that will be folded back. Cut slits in all the corners, then wrap the wallpaper around the edges. Adhere to the back of the frame.

Get inspired with custom artwork. Start by wrapping a canvas with wallpaper and stapling it in place on the back. Print a favorite quote or phrase onto inkjet waterslide decal paper. Cut out words, soak in water for about one minute, peel off backing, and place decal onto canvas. Add a shelf for a lightweight vase by screwing a small piece of wood into the bottom wooden stretcher.

With a roll of a large-scale floral, we created a trio of dramatic art panels for less than $100. To get the look, apply sections side by side using a level and wallpaper adhesive, following the manufacturer's instructions. Then frame with painted molding.

Editor's Tip: Wallpaper adhesive, which we used in all of these projects, is surprisingly forgiving. You'll have about an hour to reposition paper before the glue dries.

Cover a lampshade for a soft glow whenever the lamp is on. Place a piece of wallpaper on a flat surface. Roll the shade along the wallpaper, tracing both edges. Add 1/2 inch to each edge, cut out the cover, and use spray adhesive to attach it. Snip the excess paper at even intervals, fold to the back of the shade, and secure with spray adhesive.

Create a wall hanging from wallpaper scraps. Use dowel rods from a crafts store for a smooth look. Roll the top and bottom of the paper over the rods and attach with glue and a staples. Tie a decorative cord to top rod and hang from a hook on the wall.

Create fun three-dimensional wall art with simple display cubbies and wallpaper. Buy cubes at a crafts or discount store. Trace the box onto wallpaper, making a cross pattern on the paper, using five squares to cover every side but the back. Using a paintbrush, spread a thin layer of wallpaper paste on all but the back side of the box. Adhere paper to the cubes using your hand and a bayer to smooth.

Use scraps of wallpaper to embellish a plain fold-up table. Coat the table with decoupage glue, position the wallpaper scraps, and cover it with several layers of glue. (Allow each coat to dry before applying the next.) Finish the top with a spray sealant.

If you've been collecting wallpaper or art paper scraps, here's a quick project. Shop a crafts store for inexpensive wood plaques, then prime and paint. Below the chair rail, we used a new beaded-board-style wallpaper -- it looks like the real deal but is less expensive and easier to install.

See the next slides for instructions to get the look!

Trace the shapes onto parchment paper and use them to cut the desired motifs from the patterned papers. Adhere the papers to the plaques with wallpaper glue. (Position the plaques on the floor before hanging.)

A few partial rolls paired with sections cut from a wallpaper book destined for the trash bin were the liftoff points for this amazing patchwork wall.

See the next slides for instructions to get the look!

Paste large wallpaper sections on one wall, adjoining the edges; let dry. Next, paste smaller blocks over the base design, overlapping for a patchwork effect. Continue positioning blocks until you're satisfied with the look.