A great way to add a whimsical touch to a child’s room is adding decorative bookends. Not only will bookends keep books neat and organized, they will also add charm to the space. You can add to an existing theme or take inspiration from some of the adorable bookends that are available.
Shown is an example, which you can order from Just Bookends. Check out other available styles for inspiration.
You can also make a set of bookends yourself, to insure that the color, style, and motif are exactly what you want. They are simple to make and can be constructed from materials found in any craft store. To add a particular character or image, simply transfer an item onto a piece of craft wood. You can decoupage a picture, trace one and paint it in, use stickers or appliqués, or you can purchase small toys that coordinate with your theme and attach them to the wood.
Decide what size you want the bookends to be then purchase the appropriate size squares or rectangles or have them cut to size. Paint or stain if desired. It is best to paint or stain the wood and allow it to dry before attaching the pieces. It’s much simpler than trying to paint the joints between the two pieces once they are secured.
Once dry, use craft glue to attach the two pieces of wood so they form an “L” shape, as shown below. After gluing, secure with small finish nails to make sure your bookends are secure. Next, glue a decorative item in place. If using craft wood, secure the decorative elements with finish nails as well.
A fun idea for an adolescent’s room is using shoes to make cute bookends. Simply attach your wood pieces to form the “L” shape, attach wooden wedges to the bottom pieces, and secure ballet slippers, cleats, or other sports shoes to each wedge. Another cute idea is to give your daughter a new pair of canvas tennies, which can be purchased for just a few dollars, and let her paint them with fabric paints. Just spray them with a clear coat to protect them before attaching them to the wood.