Paper based crafts have always been something we love, and we’ve passed that love onto our kids. That’s why they’re always stealing our old magazines, newspapers, and other kinds of paper out of the recycling bin to get creative with! We love looking up new ways to teach them to use those old pages so they stay interested and learn more techniques.
Just in case your family loves crafting with upcycled paper just as much as ours does, if not more, here are 15 of the cutest and most fun magazine, newspaper, and wallpaper crafts we’ve come across so far in our search.
1. Rolled magazine bear art
Art made with rolled paper has always been a blast to make, but we’re especially enthusiastic about it when we get to make a recognizable shape or creature from those rolls. That’s why we loved this cute bear shaped rolled paper canvas art idea outlined step by step on Brit + Co.!
2. Vintage inspired letter art
Have you found an old magazine full of vintage (or vintage inspired) ads that you think deserve to be seen? Then try cutting the photographs you like out and embellishing sheets of paper with them to create awesome letter writing stationery! Brinner Time shows you how they made theirs.
3. No-sew magazine and gift wrap quilt block
Wood framed block art is another fantastic kind of DIY decor to create, and we love the way Felt Magnet guides you through the process of making a chevron shaped, quilt inspired piece. They used old magazine pages and extra gift wrap to get all kinds of colours and patterns!
4. Woven magazine coasters
Have you actually been looking for a way to teach your kids a paper crafting skill that takes a little more care because you think they’re ready for a challenge? Then maybe it’s time they started practicing paper weaving! We love the way Recycled Things wove folded strips of old magazine pages together to create square shaped, upcycled coasters.
5. Rolled magazine tree planter
Are you still thinking about how much you liked the idea of making rolled paper crafts with old magazine pages but you’re feeling up for a challenge and you’d rather make something a little bigger than the bear you saw before? Well, if you like keeping pretty green plants around your house, then we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Mejhan Jhanvi made this great rolled paper tree planter!
6. Funky rolled paper photo frames
Can you tell yet that we really do adore rolled paper crafts? Well, we’re also nostalgic memory collectors who love printing and displaying photos, so we’re sure you can imagine how excited we were when we came across these fantastically bright and funky rolled paper frames outlined on Suzy Sits!
7. Old magazine cushioned stool
Perhaps you’d rather create something like an actual structure piece of furniture, just to add another conversation piece to your room? Then keep the magazines as they are and stack them, following The Art of Upcycling‘s lead to create the base, belts and cushioned seats! Voila, you have a new stool.
8. Rolled and belted newspaper side table
Are you feeling very enamoured indeed with the idea of creating actual pieces of statement furniture from magazines, but you might like to take the idea even further than a small stool? Then you just might be the perfect person to try your hand at something like this amazing rolled newspaper side table featured step by step on Waste Hunter!
9. Cardboard and newspaper step shelves
Have you always been a fan of functional decor pieces that are very clearly homemade or upcycled so that your guests can admire your handiwork? Then grab some old newspapers and some cardboard and check out how Arts and Crafts Zone made these fantastic wall shelves that are structure like miniature staircases.
10. Newspaper table skirt party decor
We’ve always been fans of simple party decor techniques but sometimes we forget just how many neat effects and pieces you can create from something truly as simple as the newspaper on the stoop! Take a look at Design Sponge to learn how this fun, fringy table skirt was made.
11. Wall paper decoupage drawers
We’ve always loved the idea of getting graphic furniture, but we don’t always find designs and patterns we like pre-made in stores. That’s why we loved this idea for reusing spare wallpaper from the wall pattern we chose and adored to customize a plain furniture piece instead! Remodelaholic shows you how to use decoupage techniques to give a simple side table’s drawers a facelift.
12. Chandelier wallpaper pendants
Perhaps your favourite kind of crafting has actually always been jewelry making, especially when it comes to upcycled things? Then we have a feeling you’re going to get along very well indeed with this lovely DIY chandelier pendant idea made with wonderfully patterned wallpaper scraps! Get the full details for making your own on Mod Podge Rocks.
13. Wallpaper decoupage terra cotta pots
If there’s one classic paper crafting technique we’ll never get sick of, it’s absolutely decoupage! There’s just something so satisfying about covering a plain surface with something patterned and new. That’s why we loved these floral wallpaper covered planting pots from Fav Crafts so much!
14. Vintage chair wallpaper makeover
Did we really catch your attention with the idea of putting wallpaper on the surface of a piece of furniture but you just don’t need a dresser or side table makeover right now? Then we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how The Sweet Escape jazzed up the seat back of a desk chair, making studying just a little more cheerful!
15. Upcycled paper pinwheel fans
If your leftover paper that you’re trying to upcycled is particularly uniquely coloured and patterned then we think you just might be in the perfect position to make something a little more delicately decorative! Check out how Behance made these fantastic paper pinwheels in all different sizes and with differently shaped edges.
