The Easy Way to Create Bookends from Old Books for Your Home Library

The first time I made bookends from old books, it wasn’t out of some Pinterest-inspired plan. 

I had too many books leaning and sliding all over my shelf, and I didn’t feel like buying plain metal bookends. 

I looked around, spotted a couple of old, damaged books I’d picked up from a thrift store, and thought, 

Why not let them keep serving the bookshelf in a different way?

Now, years later, I’ve made quite a few sets – for myself, as gifts, and even to sell – and I’ve learned a lot about how to do it cheaply, sustainably, and in a way that still makes them look good enough to display proudly.

Why I Love This Little DIY

Before we get started, let me quickly explain why this little project is one of my favorites.

1. It’s sustainable: You’re reusing books that might otherwise end up in the trash. This is especially great for damaged books, ones missing pages, or outdated encyclopedias.

2. It’s personal: You get to choose books that have meaning to you (or to the person you’re making them for).

3. It’s budget-friendly: I’ve made a pair for less than the cost of a coffee.

4. It’s surprisingly easy: You don’t need a workshop full of tools.

Picking the Right Books for the Job

This is where I’ve made my first big mistake: grabbing books purely for their look without checking the size and weight.

Things I’ve learned to look for:

1. Hardcovers are best: Paperbacks just aren’t sturdy enough for this job.

2. Medium to large size: A book that’s too small won’t hold up a row of novels. Think along the size of a standard hardcover novel or larger.

3. Weight matters: Flimsy books won’t keep your stack upright unless you add extra filling inside.

4. Condition doesn’t have to be perfect: Torn dust jackets? Missing pages? That’s fine. You can repair or cover them.

Old encyclopedias are perfect. They’re heavy, tall, and often sold for next to nothing at thrift shops.

Stuff You’ll Need

This is my basic, go-to list. You might already have most of it at home.

1. 2 sturdy hardcover books (the ones you’re turning into bookends)

2. Weight for inside – This could be:
   1. Small stones or pebbles
   2. Sand (in a sealed bag)
   3. Metal nuts or bolts

3. Glue: I’ve used hot glue for speed, but wood glue or E6000 works better for strength.

4. Craft knife or box cutter

5. Ruler (helps keep cuts straight)

6. Cloth or decorative paper (optional, for covering damage)

7. Duct tape or packing tape

8. Plastic bag (if using sand or loose filler)

Step by Step of How I Make Mine 

Here’s the method I use most often. It’s cheap, easy, and doesn’t require fancy equipment.

Step 1: Getting the Books Ready

You’ll need to create space inside each book for the weight that will make it stand firm.

1. Open the book to the first few pages.

2. Using your craft knife, start cutting out a rectangular section from the middle of the pages – think of it like carving out a shallow box inside the book.

3. Leave at least an inch of pages intact all around the edges so the book keeps its shape.

When I first tried this, I cut too deep too fast and sliced through the back cover. Instant regret. 

Take your time, cut a few pages at a time, and check your depth often.

Step 2: Adding the Weight Inside

The whole point of bookends is to keep other books from sliding over. 

That means your new bookends need to have some heft.

Options I’ve tried:

1. Small stones: Readily available and cheap (I’ve even washed and used garden stones).

2. Metal nuts/bolts: Gives a good concentrated weight.

3. Sand: My favorite for a smooth weight distribution, but it must be sealed in a plastic bag to avoid leaks.

How to add it:

1. Place your weight inside the hollowed section of the book.

2. If using stones or bolts, fill it so the book feels heavy but not so full that it bulges.

3. If using sand, double-bag it and tape it shut before placing it inside.

Step 3: Closing and Sealing Them Up

Now that your weight is inside:

1. Apply glue along the inner edges of the hollowed pages.

2. Press the book shut.
3. Use heavy objects (I’ve used a stack of other books) to press it flat while the glue dries.

I once tried skipping the pressing step. The result was a book that stayed slightly open forever. Don’t skip the pressing.

Step 4: Making the Bottom Steady

To keep your bookend upright, you want it to be sturdy at the bottom.

I often wrap the base of the book with duct tape (underneath the dust jacket if I’m keeping it) to give extra stability.

If you want a cleaner finish, glue a piece of felt to the bottom. This stops slipping and looks neater.

Step 5: Decorate If You Want

If the books are pretty on their own, you can leave them as is. 

But I’ve also had fun covering damaged books with:

1. Fabric: A linen or cotton wrap looks warm and cozy.

2. Decorative paper: Map prints, floral designs, or even old sheet music.

3. Paint: For a bold, modern look.

A Few Styles I’ve Tried

Here’s where you can make it really personal.

1. Vintage Look: Keep the original covers, maybe even let some wear show.

2. Coordinated Shelf: Use matching fabric or paper on both bookends.

3. Quirky Statement: Use bright paint or stencil a design on the covers.

One of my favorite sets was made from two matching green encyclopedias with gold lettering.

They looked like they belonged on a professor’s shelf in an old movie.

How Cheap Can This Be? (Spoiler: Very)

If you do it smartly, this project can be ridiculously cheap. 

Here’s what one of my most affordable pairs cost me:

1. 2 old encyclopedias from a thrift store: $8.99

2. Bag of small stones: free (from my garden)

3. Glue: already had

4. Felt for the base: $3.99

Total: $12.99

Compare that to buying new decorative bookends for $20–$40 and you see why I love this method.

Remember That We Need to be Eco-Friendly 

This is also a small act of bookish recycling. 

Instead of throwing away damaged books or outdated reference materials, you’re giving them a second life. 

And since you can use recycled filler (stones, scrap metal), it’s doubly eco-friendly.

I’ve even made sets from old library books being discarded due to damage.

It’s oddly satisfying to turn them into something that will keep protecting books.

What I’ve Learned the Hard Way

1. Don’t use a book you might regret cutting up. Even if it’s damaged, make sure you’re okay with never reading it again.

2. Choose a weight that won’t shift. Sand and tightly packed stones work better than large loose items.

3. Glue is your friend. Don’t skimp on it when sealing the pages.

4. Press overnight. The longer you let it dry under pressure, the neater it will look.

5. Match the vibe of your shelf. If your books are mostly modern, a bold-painted set might look great. If they’re vintage, keep your bookends classic.

Common Problems & What You Can Do

1. Problem: Book tips over.

Fix: Add more weight or use heavier filler.

2. Problem: Book won’t close properly.

Fix: Remove a little filler, check that pages aren’t warped, and press overnight.

3. Problem: Sand leaking.

Fix: Always double-bag and seal tightly with tape before inserting.

Even after making a few dozen of these, I still get a small thrill every time I finish a set. 

My shelves look better, my wallet stays happy, and I’ve kept a few more books from ending up in the bin.

And that’s it – you’re ready to make your own cheap, sustainable, personal bookends from old books. 

Take your time, enjoy the process, and remember that little imperfections just make them more charming.