Grab a pile of old maps and get creative, because the possibilities are endless with these 20+ map paper crafts.
Get creative and make one of these crafts using old maps
Why we love crafting with maps
Crafts with map paper are so fun to make and they can add a touch of wanderlust to your home. You can even use maps of places you’ve visited to create wonderful keepsakes!
It’s true, these days we are overwhelmed by devices equipped with GPS and navigation, which renders old-fashioned maps pretty useless. However, old map paper is still amazing for crafting and home décor.
These creative crafts with map paper will surely get you in the mood to jump into some cool projects. From cute decorative items like picture frames, trays, and planters to creating accent walls and embellishing furniture, maps are so versatile when crafting. Even if you don’t have any maps on hand you can find plenty of them online and print them using your home printer.
22 Map Paper Crafts
1. How To Make Simple Map Roses
Paper flowers don’t require maintenance or replacement, so they are a practical way to decorate your home. Pillar Box Blue created these gorgeous DIY map roses and the map paper gives such a unique look.
2. DIY Map Picture Frame
This DIY map picture frame from is such a wonderful way to display vacation photos. The project uses peel-and-stick vinyl so expect an easy and no-mess craft.
3. Glass Map Necklace DIY
Do you have a special place you love and always dream of returning to? This beautiful DIY glass map necklace lets you keep it close to your heart, literally!
4. How To Make A DIY Map Mirror
Can you take an old mirror from drab to fab using map paper? Lovely Etc. proves you sure can! This DIY Map Mirror is another easy Mod Podge project you can use to make a statement piece that would look perfect in the bathroom or the entry.
5. Recycled Map Drawer Makeover
You can even use Mod Podge to apply map paper on furniture like DIY Inspired did with their recycled map drawer makeover.
It adds a nice touch of color and you can use the same method with other decoupage materials like gift wrapping paper, wallpaper, newspaper and scrapbook paper.
6. Roadmap Birdhouses
These adorable roadmap birdhouses are perfect for travel-themed décor. You can upcycle other vintage items in the same way and matching your paint colors to the main colors of the map will ensure they end up looking gorgeous.
7. DIY Vintage Map Tray
Do you have an old tray that needs a refresh? Use it for a map craft. Mum In The Mad House created this DIY vintage map tray as an addition to a travel-themed bedroom although it would match many other styles.
8. Easy DIY Mason Jar Lantern With Maps
I can totally see some of these rustic DIY map mason jar lanterns hanging on my porch! Use Mod Podge to apply the map to the inside of the mason jar and a LED tealight to turn it into a lantern.
9. DIY Map Bunting
Map crafts can also be used to add a vintage schoolhouse theme to your child’s room and one of the easiest projects you can tackle is this cute DIY map bunting. Use a sewing machine to attach the map buntings to the ribbon, but glue would work just as well.
10. How To Make A Map Clock With Mod Podge
This vintage DIY map clock is traveltastic! Mod Podge Rocks turned a plain wood clock base into a stunning map clock I would be proud to display in my office. It also makes a gorgeous gift for the special men in your life.
11. DIY Map Gift Bags
Upcycled gift bags are such an eco-friendly craft and offering gifts in handmade bags makes them even more thoughtful.
If you have some old maps you don’t use anymore you can make these awesome DIY map gift bags. Of course, once you learn the technique you can use other types of paper too.
12. Recycled Map DIY Birthday Banner
A travel-themed party or birthday sounds like so much fun especially during the summer. A recycled DIY map birthday banner like the one is the perfect opportunity to decorate frugally and get crafty with stencils!
13. 10 Minute DIY Road Map Plant Pot Covers
Do your plant pots need a quick upgrade? This 10 minute DIY from Pillar Box Blue will show you how to create awesome map plant pot covers for your favorite house plants. You can use the same technique to create covers for storage buckets and other containers.
14. Map Paper Strip Heart Tutorial
Map paper can be used for almost any paper craft and making cute map hearts is such a wonderful way to add a bit of vintage décor to your home. Unoriginal Mom used these hearts to decorate her bannister but they would look nice even as gift tags or a garland!
15. DIY Map Wallpaper
Create a unique accent wall in your home with a DIY map wallpaper! The cheapest way to achieve this is to purchase online an entire map collection on sale.
In My Own Style put their maps to good use and offer all the tips and tricks needed to get a smooth and durable application for your map wallpaper.
16. Upcycled Tin Can Craft
Try this upcycling craft and make tin can vases out of recycled cans and old maps. Use map paper to spruce up empty cans and make a beautiful floral centerpiece.
17. Upcycled Gift Tags
These cute gift tags are too cute to skip. Grab an old map and ball of twine to make your own totally custom gift tags.
18. Curbside Bookshelf Makeover
Do you have an old bookshelf that has seen better days? Spruce it up! This bookshelf makeover turned a blah bookshelf into a beautiful piece!
19. Drawer Liner
Map out a special spot in your nightstand or dresser to stash some of your favorite things. Just don’t forget to protect your new drawer liner with clear contact paper.
20. Octopus Frame Print
This octopus silhouette print gave the perfect nautical touch to a pirate-themed bedroom, but you could easily customize with any image/silhouette you like.
21. Map Votive Candles
For the travel obsessed couple or the getaway destination wedding, these DIY map votives are an easy-to-make and affordable table decor idea. Even though this craft was made for wedding decor, it would fit right in at any beach or lake house.
22. DIY Globe Garland
Here’s a quick and easy origami project for you. Fold up some map paper and string these little globes up with twine. Too cute!
More upcycled paper crafts:
- Newspaper can easily substitute regular paper for so many projects – give one of these creative newspaper crafts a try today!
- At first glance, a brown paper bag may not seem particularly inspiring, but there’s so much you can do with this simple material! Here are some super creative paper bag crafts that you won’t believe started life as a humble lunch sack.
- I’ve gathered my favorite paper doily crafts in one place – make fun crafts, DIY decorations, and even party ideas using simple and inexpensive paper doilies.
Don’t forget to PIN these map paper crafts for later:
