7 Creative Ways to Repurpose Old Wallpaper as Home Décor

Whether reimagining vintage glassware or inventing ways to use empty gift boxes, repurposing old stuff revs your creative energy and breathes new life into otherwise unused objects. With their nostalgic color palettes and patterns, vintage wallpaper is particularly ripe for reinvention. And if you have some leftover swaths of contemporary wallpaper? Same story.

From using it as a matting in a picture frame to covering various surfaces for a touch of whimsy, let these wallpaper projects inspire your next crafting session. 

Create Custom Wall Art

Let’s start with an easy craft anyone can do, including kiddos. All you need is a single piece of vintage wallpaper cut to the size of your picture frame. "Whether you opt for a gallery wall of mixed patterns or a single oversized print, framing allows you to showcase intricate designs without overwhelming a space," says crafting and DIY expert Chelsea Barton. "This works especially well with florals, chinoiserie, or textured prints." Barton suggests thrifting your frames and choosing simple finishes, like wood or brass, to let the wallpaper shine. You can also use the vintage wallpaper as a mat for a photograph or artwork. 

Make a Custom Inlaid Tabletop

If you're hankering for a bigger project, consider trying your hand at a custom inlaid tabletop using vintage wallpaper. "A local millworker or craftsman can give the material new life by inlaying it into a table and then sealing it with a glass or resin top," explains interior designer Hannah Hemmerly. "Alternatively, many millworkers sell their work on platforms like Etsy and are usually open to custom commissions and collaborating directly with clients to bring a vision to life."

While more time and labor-intensive, it'll be worth it. This craft "results in a truly unique, heirloom-quality piece for your home," Hemmerly says.

Try Some Decoupaging Crafts

Just like other paper ephemera, vintage wallpaper lends itself nicely to decoupage crafts, transforming everyday objects into one-of-a-kind, high-charisma showpieces. Use it to refresh trays, make over small boxes, breathe new life into thrifted plates or vases, or even on drawer fronts. 

For best results, cut pieces precisely and apply with a thin, even layer of decoupage medium to avoid bubbling or lifting. Seal the surface with a clear acrylic sealer or a water-based polyurethane to protect against wear. A matte finish leans into the vintage vibes by keeping things muted and soft, while satin or gloss adds a bit more durability for high-touch pieces. 

Cover Old Books

Give old, thrifted, or even new books a decorative update by wrapping them in vintage wallpaper. “Styled on shelves, coffee tables, or nightstands, these custom covers create a layered, collected look,” Barton says. “Choose flexible, thinner wallpaper so it wraps well around spines and corners without bulk, and use spray adhesive for a smooth finish.” 

You can even add subtle embellishments, such as heat-transfer vinyl monograms, embroidery, or hand-tied ribbons. Stack them together in a vignette, prop them on a bookshelf, or use them as a table centerpiece. 

Wrap a Gift

If a book can be wrapped with vintage wallpaper, so can a gift! Keep the wallpaper sheets at the ready for the next time you have a present to deliver, Hemmerly suggests. "It can be cut into shapes and glued onto blank cards, used as decorative gift tags, or incorporated into name cards and party favors," she says. "Just be sure to mount the wallpaper onto a thicker cardstock or paper to ensure durability and achieve the sturdiest, most polished results." 

Apply to Closet Panels

The tricky thing about vintage wallpaper is that you likely don’t have enough to cover an entire room. To use it as originally intended, Barton suggests lining back panels or inside doors of a wardrobe for an unexpected pop of pattern. “It’s a simple way to add unexpected delight to functional spaces while keeping the overall room aesthetic clean and uncluttered,” she says. “And because it’s contained within the interior, you can experiment with bolder prints you might not use elsewhere.” 

Make sure to coordinate the wallpaper tones with nearby textiles, like bedding or curtains, so the space feels curated.  

Line the Back of Shelves

For a similar project that keeps your treasured vintage wallpaper more in sight, use it to line the back of a bookshelf or China cabinet. This transforms any old bookshelf into a custom piece while infusing a bit of textural whimsy into the room. At the same time, it creates contrast that helps the books stand out.

Again, make sure to use wallpaper that ties into the existing space; it doesn’t have to feel matchy-matchy, but it should fit the aesthetic easily.