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You are here: Home / Crafts / The Best Crafting With Wallpaper Ideas – Pillaboxblue

The Best Crafting With Wallpaper Ideas – Pillaboxblue

9th September 2020 by Claire Armstrong 20 Comments

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Every time I visit big department stores, I can’t resist going into the home furnishing departments and checking out the latest wallpapers. Often I will pick up a few samples. After I’ve finished with the free samples I don’t throw them away as I love crafting with wallpaper.

Wallpaper is stiffer but more flexible than other papers which sounds kind of contradictory. It’s a bendy paper that can often be wiped clean, which makes it versatile for many crafts.

I’m very creative with my use of wallpaper in the home. I’ve Marimekko wallpapered stairs, I’ve decoupaged table tops with wallpaper and even made a wallpapered kitchen backsplash.

Wallpaper is also great to upcycle with from the kitchen trash can to wallpapered furniture such as mirrors.

All these wonderful wallpapering projects use rolls of wallpaper or large pieces. But there is still a lot of wallpaper craft projects you can make with the samples of wallpapers gathered whilst deciding on what paper to use for a bigger project.

Firstly, I will show you one of my latest crafting with wallpaper ideas, making upcycled tin can pen pots. Then at the end of the post, there is a list of more fabulous wallpaper crafting ideas.

Crafting with wallpaper ideas

Wallpaper Craft: How To Make A Marimekko DIY Desk Caddy

Whilst trying to decide on a wallpaper for the new built-in wardrobes in my bedroom I ended up with some Marimekko wallpaper samples. These samples I got for free from Wallpapersdirect and were A4 sample sized.

They were from a Marimekko design called Pieni Tiara. I had a sample from each of the three different colourways it came in. I’ve crafted with Marimekko paper napkins many times before but this time I decided to use these wallpaper samples, rather than waste them.

What You Need To Make DIY Desk Caddy

  • Wallpaper samples or remnants – 3 sheets about A4 size. Most home stores provide wallpaper samples for free.
  • 3 tin cans – I used 400ml sized food cans.
  • Wallpaper paste or white glue
  • Spray paints
  • Rotary cutter and mat
  • Two old pieces of wood for the tray
  • Drill with round woodcutter saw attachment the size of the tin cans.
Wallpaper samples and tin cans

How To Make An Upcycled Marimekko Desk Caddy

1.. First, spray paint the inside to tin cans to match the wallpaper you are crafting with. I spray painted the inside of three cans white, green and pink. Also, make sure that the thin top lip of the tin can is painted too, as this will is likey show when wallpapered.

Pen pots and utility caddies look much better if they have been painted on the inside as well as decorated on the outside.

spray painting the tin cans

3. Next, measure the circumference and height of the tin cans.

Measuring the tin cans

4. Then, using these measurements cut the wallpaper sample papers to fit the tin cans. Use a rotary cutter, ruler and mat to achieve a neat accurate cut.

crafting with wallpaper samples

5. Finally, to finish the Marimekko pen pots glue the wallpaper to the outside of each tin can. I used wallpaper paste for this, as I already had some made up. But white craft glue will work just as well.

Crafting with wallpaper marimekko pen pots
Marimekko wallpapered pen pots

6. Finally, to turn these DIY pen pots into a desk caddy, I made a carry tray for them. I cut round saw holes into a scrap piece of wood to make a holder. Full details of how I did this are on my painted glass bud vase post.

making carry tray
Crafting with wallpaper Marimekko desk caddy

I use these Marimekko pen pots on my desk to keep my pens organized. They would look just as good in the kitchen used as utensil holders. If you love the designs of Marimekko as much as I do then you should check out my other Marimekko and Nordic inspired craft.

DIY Marimekko Desk Caddy

Crafting With Wallpaper Ideas

The following is a collection of more fun crafting with wallpaper ideas for wallpaper samples. I fancy making some Marimekko clipboards to match the Marimekko desk caddy.

Affordable DIY Artwork Inspired by Pottery Barn ~ Rock Your Knockoff

Photo Credit: www.postcardsfromtheridge.com

Create your own gallery of artwork by framing wallpaper samples.

Upcycled Vintage Wallpaper Sign

Photo Credit: dukesandduchesses.com

An idea for using a wallpaper sample as a background for a sign.

How To Make Paper Stars Hanging Decoration From Wallpaper

Textured wallpaper was used to make some giant hanging paper stars decor.

Fun Wrapping Ideas Using Wallpaper That Matches Your Decor

Photo Credit: www.simplenaturedecorblog.com

I love this idea of using wallpaper remnants as wrapping paper.

Wallpaper Decoupage Flower Pots

Photo Credit: www.favecrafts.com

The mixture of different wallpapers really transforms the plain terracotta plant pots into something special.

Vintage Wallpaper Magnetic Chalkboard - Mod Podge Rocks

Photo Credit: modpodgerocksblog.com

If you have some pretty wallpaper samples use them to make a pretty notice board.

How To Make Crafty Angels From Wallpaper

Another Christmas idea, this time using textured wallpaper to make an angel wing garland with gold tips.

Upcycled Wallpaper Covered Radio Revamp

Photo Credit: www.mysocalledcraftylife.com

You only need a small remnant of sample of wallpaper to update an old radio. Choose the right wallpaper and you could create something special for your home. I love how the radio is also painted to match the wallpaper sample.

DIY Decorative Light Switch Covers || Practically Functional

Photo Credit: www.practicallyfunctional.com

The tutorial is for scrapbook paper but it would work just as well for wallpaper. Sample size sheets of wallpaper would be perfect for this craft and you could create some fun unique switch plates. Wallpaper would work better than scrapbook paper as it can be wiped clean.

Homemade Vintage Wallpaper Envelopes

Photo Credit: www.sweetpaulmag.com

This is one of my favourite things to make from wallpaper samples, unique envelopes. They are lovely when combined with gifts wrapped in wallpaper remnants.

Wallpaper Gift Tags

Photo Credit: nestdecorating.typepad.com

You can make matching wallpaper gift tags for your wallpaper wrapped gifts.

Easy Butterfly Decorations Using Vintage Wallpaper

Photo Credit: modpodgerocksblog.com

These magnetic wallpaper butterflies are a fun decoration. They would brighten up any fridge.

Vintage-Inspired Clipboards

Photo Credit: www.favecrafts.com

Jazz up an old clipboard with some pretty wallpaper samples. The wallpaper will be tough and wipe clean.

DIY; Wallpaper Lantern

Photo Credit: buthonestlyem.blogspot.com

Lovely use of wallpaper with flowers and animals to make fun decorative paper lanterns.

Spring Wallpaper Wreath

Photo Credit: www.allfreeholidaycrafts.com

If you have a pretty floral wallpaper sample, you can cut out the flowers and leaves to make a lovely wreath.

If you liked the Marimekko desk caddy then you might want to check out my colourful leather pen pots and my other denim and copper craft caddy.

For more upcycled craft ideas visit the DIYideacenter.

Filed Under: Crafts, DIY Upcycling, Marimekko, Round Ups, Tin Cans Tagged With: desk caddy, marimekko, pen pot, tin can, tin cans, wallpaper, wallpaper sample

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Wood Ship Kits

    25th January 2021 at 8:03 am

    That’s really nice post. I appreciate your skills, Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      25th January 2021 at 10:20 am

      Thank you so much.

      Reply
  2. Waterside Villas

    21st September 2020 at 10:32 am

    Amazing wallpaper idea with cans, looking unique and stylish. The paper colors enhance the beauty of the product.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      21st September 2020 at 1:04 pm

      Thank you so much, there are so many amazing wallpapers on the market it’s hard to choose from.

      Reply
  3. Marie

    16th September 2020 at 6:32 pm

    What a great idea! I have some wallpaper scraps I need to use up. Love Marimekko prints, they are always so cheerful. Stopped by via the Wonderful Wednesday link up. https://thisdearcasa.com/

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      16th September 2020 at 7:31 pm

      Thank you, I keep all my wallpaper scraps to craft with. As well as the patterns I like the heavy texture of the wallpaper.

      Reply
  4. Donna @ Modern on Monticello

    15th September 2020 at 8:26 pm

    Wonderful choice in wallpaper samples to use. I really like how the caddy turned out. #HomeMattersParty

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      16th September 2020 at 9:43 am

      Thank you, I do like Marimekko designs.

      Reply
  5. Pam

    14th September 2020 at 8:42 pm

    I love this!! When my kids were little, we would go to a nearby wallpaper store, and the owner would give us all of their outdated wallpaper sample books. We had so much fun crafting with them. But, now that my kids are grown, I didn’t even think about all of the great crafts I could still make with wallpaper! That desk caddy is great!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      16th September 2020 at 9:44 am

      Oh lucky you, I know there are some wonderful wallpaper books I’d love to have. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Pam

        16th September 2020 at 5:26 pm

        You’re welcome, and I’ll be featuring this tomorrow at the TFT link party. 🙂

        Reply
        • Claire Armstrong

          16th September 2020 at 7:31 pm

          Thank you,

          Reply
  6. Naush Samama

    14th September 2020 at 6:20 pm

    Claire, your desk caddy is lovely. I love upcycle projects too.
    We are hosting Meraki Link Party every week from Monday thru till Thursday. We’d love for you to share your posts with us at https://doodlebuddies.net/2020/09/14/meraki-link-party-5/
    Best regards
    Naush

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      14th September 2020 at 6:33 pm

      Thank you so much and thanks for the invite.

      Reply
      • Naush Samama

        21st September 2020 at 3:04 am

        Thank you sharing your fabulous caddy at Meraki Link Party – http://www.doodlebuddies.net We hope you’ll join this week too.
        Naush

        Reply
        • Claire Armstrong

          21st September 2020 at 1:27 pm

          Thank you, yes I’ll be there.

          Reply
  7. amy

    14th September 2020 at 1:57 pm

    These are really fun! Great job! Now I know what to do with my random papers…

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      14th September 2020 at 6:32 pm

      Thank you, I have so many random papers. If it’s got a pretty pattern I can’t throw it way.

      Reply
  8. Sinziana

    13th September 2020 at 3:55 am

    Hello! I am visiting you from Bloggers pit Stop – I like your ideas very much and also I like the wallopers you have chosen for this craft project.

    You have a nice blog with lots if great ideas!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      13th September 2020 at 6:25 pm

      Thank you so much, I love tropical themed paper, it’s fun to look at.

      Reply

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