- Filing cabinets
Make your boring gray filing cabinet something special by covering it in wallpaper! First, remove the handles, and pull out the drawers. If you’re covering the whole cabinet, you don’t need to paint it; if you’re just partially covering it, pick your favorite color high gloss spray paint and spray away. Measure the cabinet, and cut out the wallpaper accordingly. Use Mod Podge to stick the paper to the cabinet. Smooth out any air bubbles before it dries. Lastly, add a clear top coat and reattach the hardware. - Mat as art
This is a great use for wallpaper that you love, but might be too overwhelming if you covered a whole wall with it. Instead, mat the wallpaper on foam core or measure and cut it to fit into a frame.
- Room divider/folding screen
If you already have a flat paneled room divider, you can recover it in leftover wallpaper to give it new life. If you don’t have one, just have plywood cut into divider sized panels at the hardware store. All you’ll need to do it cover it in paper (using Mod Podge or spray adhesive) and then attach hinges.
- Headboard
My favorite way to use extra paper is to make a faux headboard. There are a couple ways to do this. The first method is to use wallpaper on a large piece of foam board (see #2). The second is to cut the paper to the desired shape and size and apply to the wall behind the bed. If you want to make it look really special, buy pre-cut molding, paint it, and then install it around the wallpaper to look like a headboard.
- Switch plates
If you’re looking for a small, unexpected pop of color try covering your switch plates or outlets with wallpaper. The first thing you should do is cut the power to the switches you’re working on. Then carefully remove the covers. Clean them off and dry thoroughly. Cut your wallpaper to size, and then apply with Mod Podge. Let these dry completely before reinstalling them. Don’t forget to turn the power back on!
- Risers on stairs
Adding wallpaper to the risers on your stairs is a fun, unexpected way to add color or texture to an otherwise quiet area of the home. It’s very easy to do. Just make sure that you wipe away any dust from the steps first, otherwise the paper won’t stick as well. Measure the dimensions the riser and use spray adhesive to stick on the paper. Once dry, go over it with a clear top coat for durability.
- Ceiling
Using wallpaper on the ceiling is a great way to use paper you love without having to commit to four walls of it. This project is a little trickier than the others. You can see full instructions from the DIY Network here.
- Glass coasters
You can purchase glass or ceramic tiles from the hardware store. Cut the paper to size, and apply. Once dry flip the coasters and apply stick on felt pads to the corners. Voila! Easy coasters.
- Line drawers
This is a surprising way to add a special touch to a piece of furniture. If you don’t have enough of one style of paper, that’s okay. This is a project where you can mix and match different papers in each drawer. You don’t need to worry about it looking too busy because you won’t be looking at all of the wallpaper at the same time. Just measure the bottoms of the drawers, spray adhesive and apply the cut paper.
- Bookcase
Transform a boring bookcase into a work of art with a coat of paint and a beautiful printed wallpaper backing. The neatest way to do this is to pull out the shelves and apply the paper in one sheet. If you can’t, you’ll have to measure the backboard between the shelves individually then cut and apply each one separately.
This article was written by Erie Construction.
