Turn your favorite book dust jackets into wall art - a super easy and inexpensive DIY project for book lovers!
No matter if you call it a book jacket, a dust jacket, or "the wrapping paper on the book" like my 6 year old, I'll bet that you've looked at a favorite book's dust cover and wondered what to do with it.
Do you keep it? Toss it? Experts say that pristine book dust jackets increase the book's value over time, but in my house, books are meant to be read and loved. So instead of tossing those dust covers, I've figured out how to make book dust jacket wall art so we can always be surrounded by our favorite book covers.
Easy Book Dust Jacket Wall Art
Since we've recently reorganized our combo playroom and guest room, I needed some new art for the walls. I love the idea of being surrounded by the covers of our favorite books and thought that their dust covers would make perfect wall art. I originally planned to frame them, but ran into a problem. Most book covers are not standard frame sizes. So I would need to get custom frames made or custom mats cut. And both of those options were quite pricey. So I decided to create my own book cover wall art. I came up with a solution that looks great, is perfect for kids' rooms, and super inexpensive.
Here's how you can create your own book jacket wall art.
You will need:
- Book dust jacket. I started with Forever Young by Bob Dylan, one of my favorite kids books written by rock stars.
- Stretched canvas. You'll want to decide if you are using the entire dust jacket for your art, or just the front when determining your canvas size. For this project, I did the entire jacket and used a 16x20 canvas.
- Acrylic Paint. Choose a complimentary color to your book cover art.
- Paper Cutter or Scissors
Start by painting your canvas with the acrylic paint. Allow it to dry. While you are waiting for it to dry, cut the excess flaps off of your book jacket. I use a guillotine paper cutter to make sure I am cutting straight lines.
Once your canvas is dry, measure where you would like your art to be on the canvas. Use a level to ensure that you are placing the cover on a straight line.
Coat the back of your book jacket with Mod Podge and press it onto your painted canvas. You may need to place something on top of the jacket to prevent the edges from curling up. Allow the Mod Podge to set.
That's it! Your book jacket wall art is ready for hanging.
Get The Nightmare Before Christmas story book here.
Which book would you most like to turn into wall art? Get ideas and inspiration with our favorite book lists here.
Love this? Pin it here!
