Artisan Accents: 5 Unexpected Ways to Decorate with Wallpaper Remnants

Key Takeaways

• Wallpaper remnants are too beautiful to waste — with a little creativity, they can be transformed into decorative objects of real distinction.
• Framing wallpaper as art is the simplest and most effective way to extend the life of a remnant.
• Lining drawers, shelves, and the backs of bookcases with Morris wallpaper brings a note of unexpected luxury to everyday objects.
• Wallpaper remnants can be used to cover boxes, trays, and other accessories for a coordinated, bespoke look.
• The key is to treat the remnant with the same respect you would give the wallpaper itself — as a piece of design worthy of careful consideration.

William Morris believed that beauty should be present in every aspect of life — not merely in the grand gestures, but in the small, everyday details that most people overlook. It is a philosophy that applies with particular force to the question of what to do with wallpaper remnants. Those leftover rolls and offcuts, with their extraordinary patterns and rich colours, are far too beautiful to be consigned to the recycling bin. Here are five unexpected ways to give them a second life.

1. Frame Them as Art

The simplest and most effective use of a wallpaper remnant is to frame it. A section of Strawberry Thief or Acanthus, mounted in a simple frame and hung on a plain wall, becomes a piece of art in its own right. Choose a frame that complements the colours in the pattern — a gilded frame for the warmer colourways, a dark wood frame for the cooler ones — and hang in a group for maximum impact.

2. Line Your Drawers and Shelves

Lining the drawers of a chest or the shelves of a bookcase with Morris wallpaper is one of those small luxuries that makes an enormous difference to the quality of daily life. Every time you open a drawer, you are greeted by a flash of extraordinary pattern — a reminder that beauty can be found in the most unexpected places.

3. Cover Boxes and Trays

Plain cardboard boxes, wooden trays, and storage containers can be transformed with a remnant of Morris wallpaper and a pot of decoupage medium. The result is a set of bespoke accessories that coordinate perfectly with your wallpapered room — and that make even the most mundane storage solution feel like a considered design choice.

4. Paper the Back of a Bookcase

One of the most elegant uses of a wallpaper remnant is to paper the back panel of a bookcase or display cabinet. The pattern peeks out between the books and objects on the shelves, creating a sense of depth and richness that transforms an ordinary piece of furniture into something genuinely special. The Pimpernel works particularly well for this purpose — its intricate repeat creating a jewel-like backdrop for whatever is displayed in front of it.

5. Create Bespoke Gift Wrapping

Finally, Morris wallpaper remnants make the most beautiful gift wrapping imaginable. A present wrapped in Campanula Peacock/Opal and tied with a ribbon in a complementary colour is a gift in itself — a small act of generosity that speaks volumes about the care and thought of the giver.

Further reading: William Morris on Wikipedia | Arts at the BBC