Wondering What To Do With Leftover Wallpaper? I Have The Best Idea For You!

Last week I worked on a board and batten and wallpaper project as part of my daughter’s bedroom makeover. The wallpaper has such a huge pattern repeat that I left over once I was left with loads of leftover wallpaper.

I didn’t want it to just go to waste, but what could I do with this beautiful leftover wallpaper?

Floral leftover wallpaper

And then it hit me! I had eight placemats that I bought years ago. They weren’t particularly pretty, but they came in handy now and again.

Board placemats with a cork backing

They are made from hardboard with a cork backing and a layer of paper on top. The pieces of leftover wallpaper were perfect to refinish these! I still had lots of adhesive left over as well. The application tools were still nearby. Let’s go!

(If you don’t have placemats like these, you can cut rectangles from hardboard and make them from scratch.)

All tools needed to apply wallpaper

In just a few simple steps, I created really pretty placemats that I absolutely love. (For your convenience, I have linked everything you will need for this project at the bottom of this post.)

Step 1

Deglossing with a sanding block

Lightly sand the surface with a sanding block to degloss and create more grip for the adhesive.

Step 2

Applying wallpaper adhesive with a foam roller

Apply an even coat of wallpaper adhesive by rolling it on with a small foam roller.

Step 3

Smoothing out wallpaper

Lay a piece of leftover wallpaper on top of the glue-covered placemat. Once in the perfect position, smooth out all air bubbles to create a perfectly flat surface.

Step 4

Trimming off excess wallpaper

Trim off excess paper around the edge with an Exacto knife.

Step 5

Placemats covered with floral wallpaper

Enjoy your beautiful new placemats! The wallpaper is washable, so I don’t think sealing them at this stage is necessary. Maybe I’ll feel differently later…

Beautiful placemats created with leftover wallpaper

Isn’t this floral design just exquisite? It looks amazing in my daughter’s room with the board and batten, and it looks equally good on placemats.

I ordered the wallpaper from Wayfair (shopping link), which is manufactured by York Wallcoverings in the USA .

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