If you’re a book lover, you’ll know that bookends are a must have in any library.
but finding one you like, or decide to spend that kind of money on, can be rare. the right color, the right texture, the right style – they can all be so elusive.
You are reading: Diy bookends for heavy books
so instead of spending hours scouring online catalogs, you can create your own with any of the easy tutorials below.
invisible bookends
There are a ton of different ways of getting your books to stay in place. You can grab a rock from the garden and shove it onto the shelf. You can stack a pile of heavy books at one end to keep the others from falling down.
Or, you can follow a simple tutorial and create these invisible bookends from old discarded books. you just need a few things, including nice books you won’t read (thrift stores are great for this).
through a beautiful mess
faux gold tube bookends
If you want a unique bookend set that will stand out from the rest, while still being inexpensive and easy, then you just might love this faux gold pipe bookends set. It was originally inspired by a penholder, so even more useful, if you happen to keep those books in the office.
All you need are some inexpensive supplies from the hardware store, a handsaw, and a little time for this fun, quick, and easy project that will make your bookshelf stand out.
through a beautiful mess
phone bookends
If you’ve got some old phones lying around in the attic, know a good thrift store that always has some on hand, or just love decorating with something just a little different, then you’ll love this telephone bookend set.
when I see this, I always imagine that funny scene from the musical “bye bye, birdie!” but it’s a great choice for anyone who loves all things vintage, especially the old days of landlines.
through a beautiful mess
color block bookends
If you’ve got a thing for color and want to try something a little different, these color block bookends are a great place to start. You’ll need to do a Google search for someplace that offers laser cutter services, though, so be sure you’ve got a little time to get the project done.
After you cut out the letters, you can follow the easy tutorial to create the perfect set of color blocks for your library.
via brit+co
striped bookends
If you’re obsessed with stripes, then you’ll love this design for a simple, West Elm inspired set of DIY bookends. You just need some scrap wood, some Bondo, and painter’s tape to get the project going. Just apply your basic crafting skills, and you’re all set.
The instructions are also totally easy to follow, so you’ll save a lot of money instead of buying the fancy, expensive set that probably isn’t available anymore anyway.
by the beautiful providence
dinosaur bookends
For the dinosaur-obsessed book lovers, these adorable bookends will complete the office or bedroom shelf. Seriously, they’re so cute and super easy to make.
You’ll just have to snatch some dinosaurs from michaels or target, take some scrap wood, some wood stain if you want, wood glue, gorilla glue and paint whatever color you want on those dinosaurs they look like on your shelf people with basic skill levels, or none at all, can do them.
via a pinterest addict
superhero bookends
If you’re into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, DC comics, or generally just love a good superhero, you’ll want to make these Superhero bookends. They’re inexpensive and pretty easy to make. You need a little drawing skill or at least the ability to Google printable designs for your superhero cutouts.
Take some foam, those boring bookends, a hot glue gun, an exact knife, and your imagination. it won’t take long to make them.
through a small red window
brick bookends
For classic book lovers who vibe with the Invisible bookend idea above, but don’t want to use actual books to make your bookends, you’ll love these ones. They’re basically painted bricks with book titles etched on with a fine point brush.
They’re super easy, highly effective at keeping books in place, and add a unique charm that few other bookends could. Plus, they’re cheap to make.
note: these would be great to do together at a craft party.
via the human behavior blog
arrow bookends
These fun little bookends are a unique twist on some of the current decorating trends. And they won’t cost you a fortune like buying something like this from a retailer might. Instead, they’re simple and fun to make and don’t cost a load.
Get a piece of wood, wood glue, a small dowel, feathers in the color of your choice, colored masking tape, and silver clay. the tutorial tells you how to do everything, including making the arrowhead out of clay.
via lovely, etc.
spotted horse bookends
Horse lovers will love these Spotted Horse bookends. They add a real flavor from the equine world without being tacky. They’re especially perfect for rooms with a horse, Western, or farm theme. Or just for anybody who loves unique, pretty animals.
You’ll need four pieces of wood, some wood stain, a plastic horse, a saw, glue, and fine sandpaper to create this super easy set of bookends. instructions are easy to follow for anyone with basic woodworking skills.
through the blog twelve or eight
painted animal bookends
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These painted animal bookends combine elements of multiple other bookends on this list for a unique twist you’ll love. They’re simple to make, add some fun texture to a room, and supplies are pretty inexpensive and easy to locate.
You will have a single brick cut in half, some matching toy animals, some strong adhesive (liquid nails are great), some sandpaper, and self-adhesive felt pads. follow the easy tutorial to learn how to make these simple but fun bookends.
via hgtv
lava rock bookends
These Lava Rock bookends are perfect for any home with a wide range of themes. Hawaiian home? Check. Geologist’s study? Check. Kids’ room? Check. Dark color scheme? Check.
They’re super easy to make, inexpensive, and super quick and easy. you just need some lava rock, or really, whatever rock you like best, some felt, a hot glue gun, and a gloss acrylic sealer. You can easily find supplies outside and at a craft store like Michaels.
practical and pretty route
cement bookends
Anyone looking for straight, clean lines and a project that requires a little more oomph than some of the other bookends will love the challenge of making these simple cement bookends. This is the perfect way to ease into the cement crafting medium.
You will need portland cement, masking tape, cardboard, cooking spray, masking tape, and a mixing bowl. You don’t need anything fancy to make them, just a little time and a desire to learn.
by the beautiful providence
cute bookends with letters
What’s better than a DIY project that’s beautiful and useful? Pretty much nothing. These gorgeous letter bookends are perfect for any home decorating style. You can choose whatever pattern you like – floral, Fleur-de-lis, stripes, polka dots, plaid, whatever you find – to craft your own perfect bookends.
These easy-to-make bookends cost less than $10 and only take a few hours to make. and since they are so customizable, you may want to create some outfits.
through a good thing
bookends a to z
These bookends were birthed from the Michaels Makers challenge “Alphabet Soup” products from Make Market. The collection is pretty and fun – letters in every style and finish you can imagine – and made from any material you can find.
so the folks at home in love decided to use some simple black letters to give their reading section an alphabetic theme. They’d be perfect for a classroom, bedroom, or office – really, anywhere books live.
via at home in love
forest diorama bookends
These were inspired by the Anthropologie bookends of a similar style, just without the whopping $160+ price tag. Visit a hardware store and Hobby Lobby to grab supplies, and sit down with the instructions, your tacky glue, and some woodland creatures.
The instructions are pretty easy to follow. just follow step by step and let everything dry completely before continuing. it will take a while, still less than a day, but they are worth it to bring a bit of fresh air.
note: the original source only links to a photo page, not the DIY instructions
via buzzfeed
geo lunar bookends
These bookends look like something only a skilled craftsman could make. But they’re actually pretty easy if you follow along with the simple instructions. You’ll need some wood blocks, fine sandpaper, paint, a file, and a handsaw to make them.
These bookends are not only adorable, but they’re also super functional. if you drill some holes, you have vases, bookends or pencil holders, for starters.
They even provide tips on how to get those perfectly round stitches.
also: the original source doesn’t work
via buzzfeed
halligan’s alchemy bookends
Remember being a kid and finding some pyrite, but thinking you were now magically rich? Well, these bookends can bring back some of those good memories. They’re not actually fool’s gold, but they sure look it. They’re naturally weighty, too, so you can use them for those heavier books on the shelf.
You can find some old rocks around the neighborhood or in the garden and create these brilliant bookends in no time. follow halligan’s instructions and let everything dry enough between steps.
via design sponge
bookends with direction signs
This project combines the elements of travel, reading, and simple crafter skills to create super fun bookends every bibliophile can appreciate.
You just need a few simple materials to make these cool and fun bookends. paint stir sticks are the “signs,” a simple dowel is the stand, and stickers or cut-out letters let visitors know where their books will take them.
Now for the fun part: choosing your favorite book locations for the poster.
via indigo amethyst
faux zinc punctuation bookends
There are tons of faux zinc letters around the internet. So the folks at Head Above Water decided to apply that concept to these adorable punctuation mark bookends. And they’re pretty easy for anyone to do.
You’ll have to poke around a few thrift stores to find your supplies, and if you can’t find the punctuation marks, you can use letters, animals, or anything else you’d like instead, and grab some spray paint hammered aluminum. from the hardware store to make them.
via head above water
star tea light votive bookends
Candle addicts will love this one. You just need a couple of glass jars, glass or ceramic paint, tape, brushes, and a few of those battery-operated tea lights – to avoid catching your books on fire.
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full instructions show you how to make the stars, apply the paint, etc. to create these beautiful, quick and easy bookends. They’ll be perfect for the office, living room, bedroom, or even the kids’ room, since they don’t use real flames.
the original source link doesn’t work
via buzzfeed
baseball bookends
Sports lovers will love this simple, fun decoupage DIY baseball bookends. You just need some wood, mod podge, and old baseballs to create them.
Follow the easy illustrated instructions to create these fun bookends and follow the image prompts to add your own special touches, like adding images of old baseball photos. Or, if you can get your hands on some, grab some old baseball cards and use them for extra decoration.
via podge rocks mod
brick bookend covered in fabric
If you stock a lot of books, you need really good, solid bookends. Big books, especially, need heavy bookends to keep them upright. So, for those who have a lot of textbooks or old classics, these cloth-covered bricks are a great option.
The DIY instructions are so easy – they take less than an hour to make. and supplies are cheap and easy to come by. you just need a couple of bricks, some attractive fabric (thick quarters are great for this), and a hot glue gun.
via hook button need ham
easy DIY bookends
If you’ve got a saw and a little imagination, you can build these inexpensive, super simple DIY bookends. And when you place them on your shelves, no one will be able to tell that you didn’t buy them at some high-end home goods store.
Find some scrap wood that you can stain your favorite shade, pick out some decorative items to attach to the wood (animals, etc. are great), and be ready to be done in about half an hour.
via basic build
golden agate bookends
One of the biggest trends in all aspects of fashion and design in recent years has been geodes, agate, and other beautiful, polished, colorful rocks. But who has the money – or desire – to pay out four times what the stone is worth?
Instead, you can buy some unfinished agate pieces and make them into your own gold agate bookends. look for a local rock store to find something you love before you start with these easy instructions.
via Chic Creative Living
gold pineapple bookends
These bookends are great for both attractive complements around the home or for actual, functional bookends. You need some faux pineapples that you can add some filler to or that come solid – i.e. hardwood or hollow plastic you can fill – so that they can keep your books upright.
You will need some pieces of wood and spray paint the color you want for the pineapples. plus a glue gun.
The instructions are very simple. the supply list super cheap. and they look amazing. win-win-win.
via DIY Candy
bookends for vinyl records
These adorable vinyl record bookends allow music lovers to merge their passion with the amazing music they adore. They’re pretty simple to make, too, which is always amazing.
group provides these instructions on how to make them, and specifically how to make them without burning yourself by handling hot vinyl. And they’re so easy that non-artisans can make them.
All you need is two vinyl records, a flat-bottomed heatproof pan, a flat wooden surface, some oven mitts, and boiling water.
via groupon
choral bookends
These bookends cost more in gas to find supplies than the supplies themselves. And they only take 10 minutes to construct. If you live near the beach, you’ll probably already have some coral on hand that you can use for this one. If not, though, you can easily find some pieces online or at the local craft store.
You just need some dollar store bookends and some hot glue for the rest.
homemade via carmona
rhinoceros felt bookends
If you can sew, these incredibly adorable little felt rhino bookends are going to be a breeze. They’re made from a few different colors felt, some thread, a needle, cotton pellets, wire, dry lentils or beans, embroidery floss, and some little black pearl beads for the eyes.
Follow the visual tutorial to see the actions step by step and in an afternoon you will have these adorable stuffed animals to keep your books close at hand. They’ll be great for a kid’s room, classroom, office, or anywhere else.
via a hot DIY tutorial
bookends with photo frame
If you are a photography lover, then these photo frame bookends will be your first choice. they’re practical and decorative, plus they’re sturdier than other bookends and actually hold books in place on a shelf, on top of a piano, or anywhere.
Get some shadow box photo frames to get started, then follow the step-by-step tutorial to find out the whole process. It won’t take long, and they don’t cost much. And they’re super easy, so pretty much anyone can do them.
via landeelu
bookends for everyone
From wood blocks to vintage books to toy horses to shadow boxes, the materials in these bookend making lists are easy to find and inexpensive, but they make for some really cool bookends.
Make sure you choose an option that’s heavy enough for the books you plan to keep upright with them, i.e. don’t go for the super lightweight decorative ones if you plan on keeping those med school textbooks in check. and always experiment while working with blueprints.
Your DIY bookends will probably look a little different than the ones in the photos, and that’s a good thing.
See Also: Candace Bushnell – Book Series In Order