How to Make a Book Page Wreath From an Old Paperback

This is your official reminder that not every book is a sacred artifact.

Some books are already battered, missing covers, annotated into oblivion, or have been through so many hands they are basically a paper survivor. And those are the books that make the best DIYs.

A few years ago I made a book page wreath out of an old, tattered copy of Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë.

Before anyone starts yelling: I did not destroy a pristine classic. This particular copy was already falling apart and had lived a long life in a high school classroom (the kind where the spine is cracked, the pages are soft, and the paper has that perfectly aged color). I also own a normal, readable copy that lives safely on my bookshelf.

So yes. This is a bookish craft. But it’s also an upcycling project, and the end result looks weirdly fancy for something made of torn pages and hot glue.

This post contains affiliate links. That means we receive a small commission at no cost to you from any purchases you make through these links.

Before you start your DIY book page wreath

Pick a book that’s already worn. It’s easier to tear, easier to roll, and the pages usually have that slightly yellowed, vintage look that makes the wreath feel intentional.

A quick sizing note: the bigger the book, the bigger your wreath can be. A mass market paperback will give you a smaller wreath unless you scale down your cardboard base. A trade paperback or hardcover can go bigger, faster.

DIY book page wreath supplies

You likely already have most of this:

• 1 old paperback book (you’ll use about 200-300 pages)
• Hot glue gun + glue sticks
• Tape (clear tape or masking tape)
• Stapler
• Cardboard (shipping box cardboard works)
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Something circular to trace (bowl, plate, or compass)
• Ribbon or twine for hangig

Optional center decor: Ornaments, faux greenery, berries, pinecones, ribbon, dried flowers
Optional upgrade: Watercolors (or diluted acrylic), paintbrush, and something to protect your surface

Quick notes before you start

• Time: 60-120 minutes depending on how fast you roll cones
• Difficulty: Easy, repetitive, weirdly satisfying
• Mess level: Paper bits everywhere, so maybe don’t do this on your white rug

How to make a DIY book page wreath

Step 1: Tear out the pages

Rip out your pages and stack them up. You’ll probably need 200-300 pages, depending on your book size and how full you want the wreath.

My Wuthering Heights copy was smaller than the average paperback, and I used around 200-250 pages.

Tip: If the pages are fighting you, tear closer to the spine in smaller sections. Older books tear more easily, which is part of why they’re the best candidates.

Step 1.5: Optional upgrade at this point… watercolor your pages first

If you want your wreath to look less “dark academia” and more “anthropologie holiday aisle,” watercolor the pages before the next step.

Here’s the easiest way:

• Tear out a stack of pages.
• Lightly paint washes of color across the page (greens, reds, golds, or a soft neutral).
• Let them dry fully before rolling. Completely dry. Not mostly dry. Dry-dry.

Tip: You don’t need perfect coverage. Uneven watercolor looks amazing once the pages are rolled into cones. It reads as texture.

Step 2: Roll each page into a cone and tape it

Take a page and roll it into a cone shape, then tape the edge so it holds.

Do this for all the pages. Yes, it’s repetitive. Yes, you will question your life choices around cone number 47. Keep going.

Tip: Try to keep the open top edge of the cones aligned and straight. That’s the part you’ll see, so this is where the wreath starts to look polished.

Step 3: Staple the cone tips

Staple the tip of each cone about one inch in.

This step matters because it:

• keeps the cone from unraveling
• creates a flatter spot to glue to the cardboard base
• gives you a consistent “anchor” point for placement

Step 4: Cut a cardboard wreath base

On a piece of sturdy cardboard, draw two circles and cut out a donut shape.

For my wreath, I used about:

• an outer circle around 12 inches
• an inner circle around 4 inches

If you’re using a larger book, make both circles bigger so the cones fit comfortably.

Tip: If your cardboard is thin, cut two donut shapes and glue them together for extra strength

Step 5: Glue the outer ring of cones

Plug in your hot glue gun.

Start on the outer edge and glue cones all the way around, placing the stapled tips toward the cardboard and the open ends facing out.

Work in sections so the glue doesn’t cool before you place the cone.

Safety note: Hot glue does not care about your feelings. Keep a little bowl of cold water nearby if you’re accident-prone.

Step 6: Add the inner ring (and any extra layers)

Once the outer ring is done, start a second ring closer to the inner circle.

Depending on your wreath size and how full you want it, you may do:

• 2 layers for a flatter look
• 3 layers for the lush, dramatic look

I did three layers on mine because I wanted it extra full.

Step 7: Style the center

Now you get to choose your aesthetic:

• Classic Christmas: ornaments + faux pine + berries
• Neutral cottage: twine bow + dried greenery
• Bookish: tiny quote banner or a mini book charm
• Romance-reader energy: satin ribbon + dried roses
• Spooky year-round: black ribbon + paper moths

Glue your center pieces in place and let everything cool completely.

Step 8: Add a hanger

Flip the wreath over.

Hot glue a loop of ribbon or twine to the back. For extra security, tape it down over the glue once it sets. If your wreath is heavy, add two attachment points instead of one.

Step 9: Hang it up and pretend you bought it

Hang it on your door, above your mantle, or inside a reading nook.

Then take a photo immediately because for some reason crafts always look best before you notice the one cone that’s slightly crooked.

Troubleshooting tips

A quick note on “ruining books”

If you’re using a book that’s collectible, rare, or in good condition, don’t. There are so many better candidates: damaged paperbacks, textbooks, falling-apart thrift store finds, and duplicate copies you’ll never reread.

Upcycling is the whole point here.

Now share it with the class!

If you make one, tag us @utcbookblog so we can obsess over how it turns out. And if you want to do more bookish DIYs and crafts, we’ve got you covered there too.

Pin It for Later