Get The Look Of Vintage Books Without The Cost With This DIY Decor Idea

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Antique and vintage books can add some character to your space, but if you try to collect them, you'll find that they can be quite expensive to obtain. First edition or authentic, leather-bound volumes showcase price tags that are way beyond a reasonable budget, since they are rare. Maybe you would like to add some vintage-looking decor to a bookshelf, mantel, or coffee table in your home, and like the look of antique novels. There are some ways you could do so, such as locating cheaper vintage books at a thrift store — which can actually make the best wall art. But spending hours on end searching for the right stack can be exhausting. Fortunately, there's an easier way around that. You can get the look of vintage books without the cost with a simple TikTok DIY from creator @craftedhiveculture that involves Dollar Tree books, black wax, and a paintbrush.

This project starts with low-cost hardcover books from Dollar Tree, such as these Assorted Fictional Books – they are a great deal at only $1.50 each, so you can easily grab a handful or more. (The cost-friendly store is chock full of DIY inspiration, so take a look at Dollar Tree's wooden craft supplies for decor ideas while you're at it.) While searching for the perfect stack of books, it can be helpful to get an array of different sizes and shapes, depending on how much space is available on your shelf or table, or how many books you're looking to display for your decor. Then, get a large paintbrush (if you don't already have one at home) and some black wax, like this Jolie Finishing Wax from Amazon. With your acquired supplies, assembling the final product couldn't be easier.

To begin, take off the dust covers from your hardcover books and remove the binding on some, leaving the binding on others. You can rip off the binding, but if you need some help, grab a utility knife to slice it cleanly. Varying heights will give off a more old-world feel. This step helps create the uneven page edges that resemble more natural wear and tear to a vintage book.

Next, take your black wax and dip your paintbrush in it, gently brushing light strokes on the front, back, and page edges. You can also brush the wax over the books with their covers intact. Black wax is helpful in creating an aged look to furniture and other pieces, so the same can be said for your books. It deepens color and highlights the texture of the pages, making a genuine vintage effect. 

Once the wax dries, display and arrange your books in the space with the pages facing outward, instead of the spines. This styling trick gets rid of any words and titles, putting emphasis on the texture instead, and helping them look more uniform. Put them with your other vintage pieces showcased on your shelves, some smaller wooden crafts or items, or display your books with a custom alternative to a standard bookshelf. You might also consider creating a striking design choice by putting some of the books standing up and others stacked.