Skip the storebought version and have a go at creating your own DIY faux book stack. It’s easy and inexpensive with most (if not all) of the supplies coming from the Dollar Store!
The cutest farmhouse style faux book stack ever!
Creating a DIY faux book stack is so easy
Scrap lumber can make for some pretty amazing arts, crafts, and decor (like these cute pumpkins I made!). As you probably already know, lumber prices have reached an all-time high. So before you put this project to the side, consider finding some free lumber.
Where? For starters, check your own craft stash. If wood is something you work with often, you may find a few pieces to work with. And while you’re looking around your home, look for old furniture or other pieces that could give you what you need.
Last but not least, use word of mouth. Do you know someone who knows someone that has a stash of scrap wood you could sift through? Jump on it! Check if your area has a “buy nothing” Facebook group, as they can often be a goldmine for things like this.
There are so many things you can do with scrap, reclaimed, and even driftwood!
Why I Love This Project
You may have noticed how much I love the farmhouse theme. From Christmas stockings and trees to gifts and printables, this is just an overall cute and versatile decor theme.
Plus, I can’t turn down a good upcycle craft project!
SUPPLIES NEEDED
- Lumber pieces (cut into 6” lengths)
- Craft paint (White, Ivory, Light Grey)
- Alphabet Stamps (Typewriter Style)
- Twine
- Ink Pad (Black)
- Sanding Block
- Paintbrush
- Scissors
TUTORIAL: HOW TO MAKE A DIY FAUX BOOK STACK
Here’s a step-by-step walk through for this craft:
- Gather all supplies*.
- Sand all edges and surfaces of each wood piece with a foam sanding block.
- Apply a base coat to the wooden books with white craft paint. Then, set it aside to dry. If the grain is raised, then sand lightly after drying.
- Add a topcoat to the wooden books with a mixture of white and ivory craft paint. (Dip the paintbrush in both colors but try not to over mix them.) Let the topcoat be a bit rough. Set it aside to dry.
- Dry brush light grey paint around the sides and edges of the wooden books, in places that wear would naturally occur. Set it aside to dry as well.
- Using the typewriter style alphabet stamps, select the message HOME SWEET HOME (or any other words that you like). Then, place the wooden books spine up, and tap each letter stamp in the ink pad and then stamping on the spine. (It’s okay to be a little off with stamping the letters. This is what gives the project farmhouse charm!)
- Stack the books together and wrap with twine three to four times, securing the end with a knot and leaving the tails long.
Optional: If you’d like to create a bow, wrap the twine around your hand five to six times, trim the end and place in center of book stack. Secure in place by knotting the tails around the bow.
*If you are purchasing your lumber from a home improvement store, they will usually cut it to the size you need.
MORE Farmhouse-Style Crafts:
If you enjoy creating crafts and decor with a farmhouse theme, check out these super easy (and cute) projects:
- Whether it’s Christmas time or you’re looking for the perfect birthday, anniversary, or just-because gift, these DIY farmhouse gifts are a must try.
- Give any room in your home a farmhouse feel with this DIY faux shiplap project.
- With the holidays quickly approaching, give your farmhouse theme a boost with these DIY farmhouse Christmas stockings.
DIY Faux Book Stack
Scrap lumber and craft paint transform into a trendy, farm-house themed faux book stack with a sweet message.
Materials
- Lumber (1 x 6 – cut into 6” lengths)
- Craft Paint (White, Ivory, Light Grey)
- Alphabet Stamps (Typewriter Style)
- Ink Pad (Black)
- Sanding Block
- Paintbrush
- Scissors
- Twine
Instructions
- Gather all supplies*.
- Sand all edges and surfaces of each wood piece with a foam sanding block.
- Apply a basecoat to the wooden books with white craft paint. Then, set it aside to dry. If the grain is raised, then sand lightly after drying.
- Dip the paintbrush in both colors but be sure not to over mix the colors and let the topcoat be rough. Set it aside to dry as well.
- Dry brush light grey paint around the sides and edges of the wooden books, in places that wear would naturally occur. Set aside to dry.
- Using the typewriter-style alphabet stamps, select the message HOME SWEET HOME (or any other words that you like). Place the wooden books spine up and tap each letter stamp in the ink pad and stamp on the spine. (It's okay to have uneven letters. It gives the project farmhouse charm!)
- Stack the books together and wrap with twine three to four times, securing the end with a knot and leaving the tails long.
Notes
*If you purchase wood at the store, they can cut it to the size you need for free.
Want to create a bow for your book stack? Wrap the twine around your hand five to six times, trim the end, and place in the center of the book stack. Secure it in place by knotting the tails around the bow.
Don’t forget to PIN this DIY faux book stack craft for later:
