Transform Dollar Tree Books Into Stunning Floral Home Decor

Avid readers will have one of two reactions to this project: either abject horror at cutting into book pages or thrill at the cuteness of book-themed decor. No matter which feeling you get after viewing a video like the one made by TikToker @dollartree.hacks, you can make this craft your own. Folded book pages, cut in half and glued in place to the book's inside binding, hold flowers for an unexpected and adorable effect. The partially-opened book stands by itself, and the folded sections hold the remaining pages in place. You can either follow the steps in their video to the letter or opt for a more humane treatment of precious reading material. No matter the book you choose, you'll have an adorable display for faux or fresh flowers alike.

There are scores of easy and affordable Dollar Tree DIYs you can complete for a quick addition to your home decor, but books aren't usually the base for the projects. Fiction books from Dollar Tree are hit-or-miss for readability, so the hardcover options have great potential for crafting. We do, however, recommend that you give the first chapter or two a try before slicing into the pages. After you've perused a thickish hardcover Dollar Tree book a bit, set it aside and grab some scissors and a hot glue gun. For floral flair, purchase some choice dried or fake flowers to tuck into each section of the folded pages.

Loosen up the binding by opening the book widely at a few different points. Open the book roughly at the center pages; take sections of up to 10 pages (depending on their thickness) and fold them toward the binding without creasing the pages. Tuck the pages into the binding so that they stay in place. Once you've secured about seven sections of pages, cut away the top halves of each chunk. Unfold and cut each section one at a time, then tuck the sections back into the binding as you go. You could also keep them uncut for taller flower pockets, if desired.

Once you've cut away the tops of all the page sections, hot glue the edges of the chunks of pages to the binding area where you've tucked them. When you've glued all of the sections, tuck your blossoms into the folded pages. If you're hesitant to use faux flowers because they can sometimes be unconvincing, try these game-changing tricks that make artificial flowers look so real. If you have a garden full of greenery and flowers you'd love to see year-round, here's how to dry and style your favorite flowers to make them part of your book display.

If fresh flowers are more your speed, you can still house them in your new book bloom holder. Just slip glass test tubes inside each roll of pages to hold real flowers or to propagate plants. This set of six large HUAOU glass test tubes may fit nicely in the folds. Fill them with a bit of water and some fresh-cut flowers or even plant cuttings for propagation.

If the promise of the unread pages of a novel is too much to subject them to scissors, there are plenty of other book options out there for less heart-rending snipping. Thrift stores are reliable sources of books. Grab a book that's past its expiration date, like outdated textbooks or travel guides. You may be lucky to stumble across a book written in language you don't read; the look of foreign text on the pages can add some interest to your finished piece.

What about books you've personally filled with print? If you're an avid journaler and have stacks of personal chronicles laying around, put a hardback one to use. Just check the pages for unshareable details before making them the exterior of one of the folded sections. Day planners from years past can also stand in for a new novel. As long as the item has a hard enough cover to be able to stand on its own, your outdated agenda can still serve a purpose.

Books filled with glossy pictures lend this project an entirely different look. Again, thrift stores are a gold mine for books past their prime. A cookbook brimming with unappealing recipes but lovely vintage pictures would convert beautifully into a book-flower holder. Decor books from decades past will lend a kitschy vibe to your final product. If you have a textbook that you haven't touched since college but it's too nostalgic to part with, dust it off and give it new life with this DIY. Once done, place the decor piece on any shelf in your home.