★ 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

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

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.