DIY Ideas for Leftover Paint, Wallpaper and Tiles

If you’ve ever decorated a room, you’ll know the aftermath. Half a tin of paint, a roll of wallpaper that wasn’t quite needed, and a few tiles that didn’t make the cut. They sit in cupboards or the cellar like awkward souvenirs – too good to throw out, not enough to use properly.

But here’s the thing: those leftovers can actually be the best part. Small, simple projects that make your home feel more layered, personal and, dare I say, clever.

Wallpaper Beyond the Wall

Wallpaper is far too pretty to hide away. I’ve got fragments of the original 1889 wallpaper framed and hanging in my staircase. It’s not my idea (it came with the house) but I love it. It feels like the house showing off its own history, and it makes me smile every time I walk past.

The original wallpaper of my house is framed on the wall

In my dining room, I’ve added wallpaper to the inside of my vintage Art Deco cupboard. Nothing dramatic, just a little patterned surprise when you open the doors. It’s like the cupboard got dressed up just for me.

And if you want a big impact? Skip the oversized artwork and use wallpaper inside panelling instead. Suddenly, your wall looks bespoke and layered, without having to fork out on a canvas the size of a car.

Paint to Curate and Elevate

Paint is the easiest trick in the book. A little goes a very long way. I rescued a plain wooden side table that had water stains from a plant pot with leftover paint. A few brushstrokes and it looked intentional, like I’d planned it all along.

You can also take a handful of vases, candlesticks or thrift shop knick-knacks, paint them all in the same colour, and group them together. On their own they look like odds and ends, but together they suddenly whisper “curated collection.” It’s a brilliant way to look like you’ve got your life together.

Another favourite: hunt down mismatched picture frames in a charity shop and paint them the same shade. Hang them up as a gallery wall and no one will know they didn’t come as a set.

And if you’re feeling bold, paint only half of a piece of furniture – top or bottom. Line it up with your wall panelling and it looks striking, modern, and slightly cheeky. Like the piece is wearing colour-block trousers.

Tiling Outside the Ordinary

Tiles are usually about bathrooms and kitchens, but they don’t have to be. A few spares can cover a tabletop beautifully, and suddenly you’ve got a wipe-clean, one-of-a-kind table. Perfect for outside, where wine glasses tend to wobble and spill.

Got a box of mismatched tiles? Smash them up and go mosaic. Coasters, trivets, stepping stones – it’s basically arts and crafts for grown-ups, but with much more stylish results.

Or simply use a single decorative tile on a stand as if it were art. Tiles deserve more appreciation than being trodden on.

Other Creative Leftovers

• Line a tray with wallpaper or tiles and call it custom-made.

• Cover light switch plates with wallpaper – tiny detail, big grin.

• Give terracotta pots a paint dip and watch them look suddenly designer.

• Add a row of tiles into a wooden bench or table for a detail nobody expects.

• Stick leftover wallpaper into drawers so opening them feels less like admin, more like discovery.

The Innovative Angle

The magic of leftovers is that they force you to be inventive. You can’t do a whole room, so you do something smaller, more playful. And often, those little projects end up being the things you love most.

Every scrap has a story. A roll of wallpaper you adored but didn’t use. A paint colour that transformed a room and left you with just enough for an experiment. A few tiles that remind you of the bathroom that nearly was.

Give them a second chance, and they’ll give your home another layer of character – with far less effort than a full renovation.

And let’s be honest: it’s also a brilliant excuse to finally clear out that cupboard without feeling guilty.