I’m so glad you liked our DIY book page art displayed in that little corner of our family room. By popular request, here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to recreate it yourself. This project is intentionally easy—if it required complicated instructions, it wouldn’t be my kind of DIY. We made ours on a whim when we needed quick artwork for a wall, and it took less than five minutes.
Here’s how to make your own DIY book page art.
Step One: Choose a book.
Pick a book that means something to you, or one that simply has a look you like. A favorite childhood book is a great choice, but any book will do. We used Oliver Twist because it was fun and a bit worn—its aged pages add character. If your frame is around 11 x 13 like ours, a smaller paperback works best so you can show several pages at once.
Look for used books at thrift stores, garage sales, or flea markets; they’re inexpensive and great to keep on hand for future projects. In our case, the Oliver Twist copy was already dismantled when we bought it, so no pristine books were harmed in this project.
If you choose to use an older book, think of it as giving the pages new life as decor instead of letting the book collect dust. Use what you have and decorate boldly.
Step Two: Select a frame and arrange the pages.
Use a frame that fits the scale of the pages you want to display—an 11 x 13 frame worked well for us. Remove the backing and the cardboard that comes with the frame, then fan or layer the book pages on the cardboard. There’s no right or wrong order—arrange them randomly or thoughtfully, whichever you prefer. We kept the title page out for a separate display because it was too charming to hide.
Secure the pages to the cardboard with double-sided tape or small rolls of single-sided tape. Start with a bottom row and overlap subsequent rows slightly as you work upward. Precision isn’t necessary; the layered, slightly imperfect look is part of the charm.
Step Three: Reassemble the frame.
Place the cardboard with the attached pages back into the frame. You can include the glass to keep the pages flat and protected, which gives a more finished appearance. If you plan to photograph the piece, you may want to remove the glass first to avoid reflections. Otherwise, leave the glass in to prevent the pages from shifting.
Step Four: Hang and enjoy.
Hang your framed book page art and enjoy the simple, literary touch it brings to your space. It’s an inexpensive, fast way to add vintage texture and personality to a wall.
The end.