Don't toss old books. Reuse them with these 7+ clever DIY ideas

Books are beautiful treasures that allow words to come alive on the page. But when the book is worn out, there’s not reason the story has to end. With a little creative ingenuity and some commitment to repurposing pages, you have the ability to turn your old books into lively pieces of home decor!

From living room banners to beautiful wreaths, the possibilities are almost endless when it comes to transforming pages into pieces of interior home design. Whether you’re crafting out of sheet music, short stories or instructions, you’ll feel great knowing you’re creating a book’s sequel in the form of a personalized project. Get your hot-glue gun out and get ready to liven up your living space with the written word.

Before you toss out an old book, consider its possible second life as a gorgeous wall accent in your living room. This banner brings out the best in an old page by simply being combined with some tasteful burlap. Lovely on any wall, an old book banner is a great way to revive tired stories into something stunning and new. Get the full tutorial here.

When you’re looking to save space on shelves while simultaneously sprucing up your home’s interior, why not give those old pages a new purpose? Taking the time to roll pages into a dazzling design ends with a decorative piece that’s both creative and captivating. As pleasing to the eye as any piece you might find in a home goods store, book balls are an effective way to clean off shelves while saving money on unique accessories and repurposing well-loved books. Get the full tutorial here.

Want a shabby chic addition for your nightstand? The following project by Shabby Creek Cottage has got you covered. This DIY works best with vintage books and an old Edison-style lightbulb! You'll need to secure the books together with screws and affix an electrical plate.

Finding an unusual place marker for that new book you just can’t put down can be as fun as reading the story itself. When you’re looking for something unique to hold your place, why not turn to the pages you’ve already read? With a little glue and some creative paper quilting techniques, you can turn old book pages into a charming place holder for new books. Get the full tutorial here.

If you want something utterly creative, give the following project by A Crafty Mix a try. Transform old books into a rustic, beautiful knife block for your kitchen. Pro tip: Bamboo skewers are used to stuff the books so that the knives remain sharp!

Sometimes, it’s hard to leave the story behind. If you love old books and want to find a way to keep them close, why not try transforming them into pieces you can wear? With all of the necessary materials right at home, you’ll be thrilled to find it’s not difficult to turn old books into stunning pieces of customized jewelry that will give your look a creative edge. Get the full tutorial here.

The pages of old books hold powerful stories, but they also hold the power of transforming the look of your home. Some simple fan folding combined with charming rustic ribbon combine to create a timeless accessory for your home. Easy to make and hang anywhere, you’ll be amazed at how quickly these page-perfect details come to life as a creative wall wreath. Get the full tutorial here.

Got old books lying around? The following project by Beyond The Picket Fence takes upcycling to the next level. Not only do you reuse your old book covers, but you can clear the clutter off your kitchen table! This DIY does wonders for keeping your home organized while rustic chic.

Bring music to life once again by reusing old sheet music to create an incredible new cover for a favorite jewelry box. With nothing more than a hot-glue gun and some classical favorites, you’ll be able to redesign the entire look of a precious keepsake while recycling pages that may be past their prime. Get the full tutorial here.