35 Fun Things to Do with Old Books – Donate, Upcycle, Decorate!
Are you looking for things to do with old books?
Perhaps you have way too many books lying around?
Or you have some really old books that are beyond repair and you want some ideas of what to do with them.
By the time you finish reading this post, you won’t be stuck for ideas. You’ll have plenty of options including:
- places to donate them to be read again
- ways to sell your unwanted books
- craft projects for those too damaged to save; and
- ways to give old books new life by decorating them!
If you already have a particular idea in mind, for example, you’re looking for places to donate your books or ways to upcycle them, you can skip straight ahead to that section using the contents table below.
This post contains affiliate links – please see my disclosure policy for more details.
Table of Contents
Where to Donate & Sell Books
If your books are in good condition and you’re just looking to move them on to a new home to free up space in yours, then this list of places that might want your old books should help.
Local Libraries
Local public libraries are a great idea to start, especially if you aren’t that interested in selling your books and you just want them to end up somewhere where they will be enjoyed.
Now your library may not be interested in all your books because storage space will be at a premium and there is an admin cost to sorting through lots of old books.
However, if you read popular fiction or have lots of children’s books to donate they might be super grateful!
Community Center
Is there a local community center or seniors center in your area that has (or would like to have) a book lending or book swap area?
It’s worth dropping in and asking if they would like to take some or all of your unwanted books.
Book Drives & Book Drop Boxes
Some non-profit organizations and charities do book drives where they will publicize that they are looking for donated books.
There will usually be a drop-off point and a set deadline. Look out for these or mark them on your calendar if they are annual events – they can be a great reminder to do a clear-out!
Here where I live in the UK there are also charities and non-profits that have a drop box for books that can be donated all year round. Where I am these are located next to the big recycling bins in supermarket car parks.
Thrift Shop
Local thrift stores or charity shops (as we call them here in the UK), are often great places to donate boxes of books. Especially fiction and paperback books which sell well in these kinds of shops.
Larger thrift shops and charitable organizations can sometimes also arrange free pickup!
Other places that might accept Book Donations
These are some other great options for places where you might be able to donate books:
- Local Hospitals
- Literacy Programs
- Local School
- Local Church
- Local Coffee Shop
- Book Clubs
- Mom & Baby Cafe’s (children’s books)
- Friends and Family Members (but I’m guessing you started there!)
Selling Books – especially Old Textbooks
Obviously, if you know of any college students who could use your unwanted textbooks it would be super nice of you to just gift them to them (who doesn’t like free books?)
However, there is a very strong market for used textbooks, so these are usually some of the easier types of books to sell (assuming they aren’t 50 years out of date!)
Selling old books can be a great way to earn a bit of extra cash and reduce your carbon footprint.
Here are some places to try:
NOTE: these suggestions work for all types of books, but college textbooks and how-to style hardcover books generally go for a more reasonable price than paperback fiction books.
- Ebay
- Amazon (you would need to open a vendor account which would only be worth it if you have a lot of books to sell on a regular basis)
- Book Selling Apps – Search ‘sell books’ in the app store on your phone and you will find plenty of options (but the money you get will be on the lower end just so you know!)
Garage Sale
If all else fails there are always garage sales or yard sales. Just set up your books (and other unwanted items) on your lawn, set up an eye-catching sign, and get selling!
Upcycling Old Books – 35 Ideas!
35 Fun Things to do with Old Books
Perhaps you've exhausted your routes for donating old books or had something unfortunate happen to your books (like a spilled cup of coffee or a tear-happy toddler).
In this case, you might like the ideas below for crafting and decorating with your books.
Obviously, the upcycling and crafting ideas are best for books that have some damage or are just so unpopular that you can't find anyone who would want them.
I'm not in favor of tearing up perfectly good books just to be clear!
But there are also loads of great decorating ideas that keep your books intact and readable!
Scroll further down if you want fun ideas for using books to decorate for the holidays!
How to Make a Bookmark from a Vintage Book
I love, love, love this idea. This is the best option to make good use of the most memorable part of the book if the pages themselves have been damaged.
And we know I love upcycled bookmarks in general so I was bound to love these!
DIY Hollowed Out Book Tutorial
This is a great idea for making your home look less cluttered with electronics. Hollow out an old book and use it to hide your phone as it charges!
Also a great way to help yourself implement some 'no screens' time - out of sight, out of mind!
Smarty Cat Food Bowl Made From An Old Book
So cute! What a cultured cat! You could make a unique pet bowl for any of your four-legged creatures using an old book - you can even make the title of it the name of your pet (or pets!) just like the one in this tutorial.
How to Decoupage Fabric onto Books
This is a beautiful way to decorate books with loud or garishly-colored covers. You can keep them on display and still have the color scheme of your dreams!
Use them to add splashes of color to your bookshelves, or other areas in the home that you want to decorate.
Hardcover Book Clock DIY
I love this cute project to use a hardcover book for a clock. This is a great option to give an old or damaged book a second life.
You'll find more upcycled clock ideas in our Father's Day Gifts post too!
DIY Knife Holder Made From Upcycled Books
This one is great idea for an eclectic decorator. Also a great way to keep books you love on show even if their insides have seen better days.
We featured another example of books as knife holders in our Kitchen Makeover post too.
Book Succulent Planter
We know I love a funky upcycled succulent planter! This one rocks!
You'd think that old books and planters couldn't possibly work together, but with a clever waterproof lining inside the book, and choosing a plant that doesn't need too much water, they definitely can!
Chalk Painted Books for Easy DIY Decor
Did you know you could paint book covers? Well, you can, and stencil them too!
One of the best ways to make your books more attractive without getting rid of them or tearing them up!
DIY Comic Book Coasters
This is a super cute gift idea and a good way of salvaging bits of a damaged comic book if there has been an unfortunate attic flood or the like.
Check out these cute denim coasters too!
Hymnal Bouquet Tutorial
This paper flower bouquet tutorial is a lovely idea for a wedding as it can be saved as a keepsake afterward.
We featured some lovely Etsy sellers who make these types of paper flower bouquets to order in our Valentine's Day Gifts post too.
Birch Bark Painted Decorative Books
This is such a fun idea to help your books be part of the theme of the room. I bet you could paint other kinds of trees too!
Or anything for that matter! Painting books to fit in with a child's room is a really cheap way to decorate it. Princess room? paint a castle! Jungle themed room? Paint a jungle!
DIY Little Golden Book Banner
This is a fab decor idea if your little one has torn a book to the point that sellotape won't help.
Salvage a triangle shape per page and make a cute book banner to decorate a nursery or kid's room.
Spring Flower & Book Page Banner
A spring-themed book banner project. Another great option for creative types!
You could make these for any time of the year, changing the stencil for each season.
Easy One Block Color Book Upcycle
Want a definite pop of color on your bookshelves? Or want to make a rainbow room?
Check out this fab book-covering idea to add whatever color your heart desires!
DIY Book Safe to Hide Your Coolest Valuables
Let your books help keep your valuables safe in the event of a burglary. Hide your lovelies away in a book and place it back on your bookshelf.
Just don't forget which book you put it in or you'll have trouble finding it when you actually want to wear them!
Thirty Minute Bookshelf Decor
This book decorating idea is a serious wow! So fab!
You don't even need to be great at drawing to pull something off like this - just grab an image you love, print it off, and use some Mod Podge.
Paper Embroidery and How To Make Dictionary Art
This is a pretty little idea from Claire at Pillar Box Blue. Perfect for a torn or damaged dictionary. Salvage a page and try your hand at book embroidery to make some unique wall art.
Spring Book Page Art - What Meegan Makes
Another way to make lovely book art - this time with a spring theme!
These cute canvases can be hung on the wall, or leaned against other props to make a springtime display.
Book Repurposed into a Jewellery Box
Another lovely decorating idea. Pick a book with a cover you love and you only need to take a few steps to turn it into a beautiful jewellery box.
You'll be able to enjoy it every day when you are getting ready!
DIY Stacked Book Decor
Stacking and stamping books for a cute decor statement seems to be all the rage.
Many of my blogger friends sent me their versions when I put the call out for crafts & decor ideas using old books. I've included this one and a few more below!
How to Make a Hand Stamped Books Bundle
This is a great idea for those of you who love motivational words and phrases in your life.
You could make them as a gift for a friend, or use them as decor for your own home.
Stamped Books DIY
Here is another great take on the stamped books look, this time using chalk paint.
I love how simple these book upcyles are, and that you can just use another piece of decor to bring them to life.
How to Cover a Book for Practicality and Style!
More stamped book covers! These would be great if you're having a magical or Harry Potter themed party.
They're super simple to make and you can use them as proper or favors!
How to make stamped book stacks [so easy]
And another! Get stamping guys - it's clearly a trend!
This tutorial actually suggests removing the cover of the book so you're left with just the inner - this gives the overall look a much more vintage feel!
How To Make Book Bundles For Decorating
Did you know everyone is making book stacks these days? A great way of bringing some order to your clutter.
If you're not keen on the mismatch look of colors in your book stacks, this is a great tutorial.
Easy DIY Book Wreath with a Custom Sign
Make some wall art with the pages of a damaged book. So sweet!
The little cones remind me of the confetti cups a friend made from an old book for her wedding too - there's another great idea!
Decorated Book Wreaths
This is an idea for starting with a basic book base and decorating it for different seasons. How cute!
You can quite quickly and easily change this up every season by using a polystyrene base that you can pin things into rather than gluing embellishments on.
Vintage Book Page Wreath Tutorial
Another pretty book page wreath idea to try.
I love the look of each of the pages in this wreath too, each one looks like a delicate petal making up a larger flower.
Hunger Games Book Page Charms
A cute idea for book series super fans. These ones were done with pages from the Hunger Games but of course, any fan-favorite book could get the same treatment.
You could make these as party favors if you're having a book themed party!
Upcycled Book Ideas for the Holidays
From Christmas to Halloween and Valentine's - if you like getting in the holiday spirit here are some fun ways to use your books in the process!
How To Make An Advent Calendar With An Old Dictionary
A fun Christmas craft idea to do with the kids. Make an advent calendar out of some torn book pages!
This website has loads of images you can choose from and even includes a template to make the envelopes.
Make a Book Page Valentine's Pennant Banner
Another book page banner idea - this time for Valentine's Day.
This is a really simple way to upcycle an old book!
How to Upcycle Plastic Easter Eggs with Vintage Book Pages
Fun decoupage idea for Easter.
If you're wondering what to do with old books around Easter time, pretty up those plastic easter eggs with some upcycled book pages.
Decoupage Book Page Pumpkin
Halloween is prime crafting time isn't it? Here's a fun idea to decoupage your pumpkin.
Bonus points if you use a ghost story to do it! This is a great dollar store craft.
Harry Potter Ministry Of Magic Guest Book
Another Halloween idea - this would be perfect for a kid's Halloween party.
I hear some people have Harry Potter themed weddings too - great guest book idea, make a new book out of an old book!
Make Your Own Book Tree
A cute Christmas idea to make your books look holiday-ready!
All you'll need is some green wrapping paper and some festive decorations.
If you are an avid reader I hope you have found a good idea or two in this list of fun things to do with old books.
I’d love to hear what you’ve done with your old books: did you decorate them? Donate them? Or turn them into gifts and wall art?
Leave me a comment or find me on social media (links above and in the footer) to let me know!
Top Tips
- For the love of books, please don’t tear up new books for these craft projects! Instead have a hunt around family members and friends, your local flea market, and even the recycling bin if you’re looking to find books that are worse for wear and in need of upcycling.
- If you’re stamping books, make sure to test out your stamping technique on pieces of scrap paper first! It’s inevitable that some letters will turn out a bit crooked, but that adds to their charm!
FAQs
To be considered vintage, a book usually needs to be over 50 years old but less than 100 years old. Anything above 100 is usually considered ‘antique’.
The definition of vintage does not just stop at age but the book’s nostalgic value. For this reason, collectible, mid-century books and comics are considered vintage.
Age alone is not a key factor in determining the value of a book. You’ll need to take into account the condition of the book, its rarity, and demand for the book.
The easiest way to figure out the value of a book is to look at book price comparison websites where you type in the book’s name, author, and other key details.
If you have an old book that is past its best but you want to keep it, you don’t have to throw it away or upcycle it. You may be able to get it restored by a professional bookbinder instead.
Bookbinders can restore an old book’s condition, fixing everything from a detached spine to torn pages.
Other Posts You Might Like
If you’re looking for more fun ideas for upcycling around the home, check out these posts!
