★ How to Decoupage | DIY Paper Craft Tutorials & Creative Ideas ★
Furniture Revamps & Decorative Projects
Decoupage is a decorative technique you can use on almost any smooth surface, and it involves glueing down layers of paper or fabric with a decoupage medium. Often the paper is arranged in an artistic collage display to express creativity and personality.
On this page you will find instructions for decoupage, plus lots of tutorials and project ideas so that soon you'll want to decoupage everything! It's a really simple technique to grasp and it can be applied to all kinds of crafts, so it's a handy thing to know.
I hope you find this decoupage roundup inspiring :)
Halloween Pumpkins
How to Decoupage
Things You Will Need:
- Decoupage Medium (white glue like PVA works fine, or you can use a decoupage specific glue such as Mod Podge)
- Patterned papers, napkins, comics, book pages, maps, magazine pages, newspaper etc or fabric pieces.
- Cheap Paintbrushes
- Sponge Brushes
- Scissors
Decoupage is a very simple technique which consists of adding a layer of paper or fabric to a smooth surface using glue. The surface is first cleaned and prepared, then glue is added, then the paper is added (with any bubbles and wrinkles being smoothed out at this stage with a foam brush), and then glue is added over the top to seal. A few more layers of glue or clear varnish (polyurethane) can then be added, making sure you leave it to dry and sand (and remove the resulting dust) between each coat. For a more durable finish, acrylic sealant can be added on top.
The surface preparation beforehand is important, especially if the surface is not completely smooth. It is often best to sand the surface (if it's wood), and it should definitely be cleaned of any dust or grease. If you are working with a bare wood surface, a base coat or two of latex acrylic paint is a good idea.
When brushing on the glue with a brush, you may find you get brush strokes in the surface rather than a smooth finish. To remove this problem, you can use a very fine haired brush or a flat foam brush to apply the medium, or perhaps thin the glue out with a small amount of water first.
For more information about decoupage, have a look at the resources here, here, and here.
Top-Rated Decoupage Supplies
Here is a selection of popular products and tools for creating your own decoupage collages and displays:
Elephant Image Dresser

This piece of furniture started life as a plain IKEA product, but decoupaging a picture to the front has made it unique.
Decoupage a Dress Form
Fun Things to Make
- Mod Podge Rocks!
The ultimate resource for using Mod Podge glue for crafts. - DIY Sparkly Pumpkins
Create gorgeous pumpkin decorations with decoupage and paint. - Pattern Paper Mannequin
Fabulous transformation of a plain mannequin figure. - Quirky Telephone Art
Fun way of making an old fashioned phone into a statement piece. - Textured Wallpaper Letters
Striking typography décor for your home. - Serving Tray
Quality Japanese paper makes a lovely tray covering. - Decoupage Tree Slices
Wood slices make a great base for photo decoupage. - Ornithological Ceiling
Photocopy images and secure to your ceiling for an eye-catching idea. - Personalised Keychains
Meaningful momentoes to carry with you. - Flower Wall Art
Arrange and glue petals to a canvas.
Decoupaged Map Desk

The surface of the wooden desk was cleaned down, a spray glue was used on both the paper and the wood, it was left to dry a bit and then the maps were stuck onto the desk. When the glue was completely dry, a thick Mod Podge coating was applied.
Origami Paper Beads
Decorating With Decoupage
- DIY Paper Lanterns
Decorate paper lanterns with paper or fabric images and paint. - Comic Book Letters
Decoupage comic book pages onto pre-made letters for personalised décor. - Napkin Lampshade
Make great use of paper napkins with pretty patterns on. - Birdy Key Holder
How to make full use of patterns and shapes on fabrics. - Family Photo Plaques
Distressed wooden plaques with photos decoupaged onto them. - Shabby Chic Ladder
Learn to decoupage a ladder, books and wooden letter shapes. - Bunny Figurines
Turn inexpensive animal ornaments into decoupaged delights. - Decoupage Lamp
Add decorative paper to a modern lamp for a unique look. - Easter Egg Ornaments
I love the one with the face! - Framed Digits
Housewarming, birthday, anniversary...this art would make a thoughtful gift.
Vintage Furniture
Decoupaged Shoes
DIY Home Décor & More
- Floral Glassware
How to glue fabric flowers seamlessly to glass. - Mirror Frame
Decoupage is great for mirror and photo frames. - Decoupage Pencils
Add personality to your pencil collection. - Glowing Photo Spheres
Brilliant globe lampshades with photograph embellishments. - Mini Canvases
Display photo or art prints on a miniature easel. - Map Light Switches
Glue maps onto light switch or outlet covers. - Chunky Bangles
Easy fashionable decorating ideas for wood bangles. - Collage Blocks
Using wooden blocks can be a fun way of displaying images. - Floral Phone
Feminine telephone refashion. - Paper Mosaic Rolling Cart
Transform a table with a decoupaged table top and some wheels. - Laptop Cover
This decoupaged laptop cover looks great, and you can make it personal. - Lace Vases
Add lace to different containers for an elegant touch.
Decoupage Cabochon Rings
Mod Podge Tutorial Roundup
- DIY Decoupage Mix
Make your own Mod Podge mix for a cheaper alternative. - Photo Collage
Create a large mounted collage of your favourite photos. - Patchwork Tree
Gorgeous and creative idea for the wall of a nursery or kids room. - Glass Tile Mosaic
This fab looking art uses two kinds of Mod Podge. - Fabric Covered Purse
Revamp smooth purses and bags with fashionable fabrics. - Decoupage Chairs
How to cover a chair's surface with patterned paper. - DIY Coasters
These can be made in sets for homemade gifts. - Mod Podge Shoe Re-Dos
A few neat ideas for decorating your shoes. - Autumn Leaf Bowls
A clever idea where you use a balloon as the mold. - A Book of Spells
Includes a helpful photo showing different Mod Podge finishes.
Storybook Collage Suitcase
Craft DIYs to Try
- Suitcase Project
Make sure your suitcase stands out from the rest. - 21 Wallpaper Projects
Loads of ideas for decoupage, including bookshelves and tables. - Shabby Chic Magnets
Easy peasy project for the decoupage beginner. - Retro Chair
I love the retro beachy theme of this chair makeover. - Nightstand Makeover
Step-by-step tutorial for doing a complete side table revamp. - Wooden Drawer Fronts
How to make an IKEA purchase into something unique. - Circle Collage Stool
Punch out fabric circles to create a design on the wooden top. - Christmas Ornaments
Glue book pages onto foam shapes, then add your own art if you like. - Guitar Clock
Perfect weekend project for the musically minded. - Decorative Switch Plates
Revamp these plain white objects into design features.
Comic Book Bicycle
Little Birdhouse Charms
Ideas & Inspiration
- Artistic Globes
Vintage globe ornaments decoupaged with amazing artwork. - Patterned Side Tables
Add decoupaged paper or fabric to the recesses of furniture fronts. - Inspiration Files
The kitchen and comic book table are amazing. - Napkin Eggs
Pretty napkins transform eggs for Easter ornaments. - Artistic Mosaic Table
It may have taken a long time, but it looks fantastic! - Magazine Files
Jazz up your desk storage. - Wallpapered Furniture
A collection of impressive designer furniture. - Collaged Stairs
Awesome idea for adding personality to an often-neglected area. - Decoupage Mannequin Head
Comic book themed sunglasses holder.
Decoupage Letter
Decoupage Video Lessons & Inspiration
Please Leave a Comment!
Giovanna from UK on May 03, 2014:
Great lens. Wish I had more time to do all these fun things. i love the stairs and the shoes!
Angela Hobbs from The TARDIS on September 17, 2013:
WOW, I have been wanting to try this again!
Tricia Deed from Orlando, Florida on August 18, 2013:
Absolutely love your ideas.