How to Age Books with Coffee (Easy DIY Vintage Book Makeover)


Vintage-style books created by aging new Dollar Tree books with coffee for an easy budget-friendly home decor project.
Today I'm sharing one of my favorite home decor hacks. I'm a book lover and read tons of books...but sometimes, I want to turn those books into better looking vintage decor. :)

Some people decorate with books leaving them as is with their bright covers, but that's not for me. I'll read the books, put them in my bookshelf...if they are too bright, they get turned around. If they were cheap, they may get their covers pulled off...and if they're even cheaper...like these Dollar Tree books...they get dipped in a little something to make them look old, aged, and vintage. It's an easy way to create antique looking books that are perfect for decorating shelves, coffee tables, and built-ins without spending a fortune. That's what I'm sharing with you today!

Here's the stack of books I picked up at Dollar Tree. These ones I didn't read...not sure if they're any good. But they are about to look good! If you've ever wondered how to age books with coffee or how to make Dollar Tree books look vintage, this simple DIY is for you.
Easy DIY tutorial showing how to make Dollar Tree books look old using coffee for vintage home decorating.
Step 1:
I brewed a pot of coffee.
coffee pot ready for aging of new books to look old.
Step 2:
Poured it into a dish, and let it cool.
pouring coffee into dish to age new books to old books
Step 3:
I took the books, and took off the covers, make sure to leave the spine in tacked.

tearing the book cover off new books to make them look old.

taking the book covers off new books to transform them into vintage books
Step 4:
I placed the book into the coffee bath...I guess that's what we will call it :)
putting new books into coffee to age it and make it look old.

I pushed it down, and made sure all the pages were getting covered in coffee. 
new book sitting in coffee absorbing coffee to transform it to make it look old.

new book soaking up coffee to make it look old

Step 5:
When I took it out, I made sure as much of the coffee got out as possible. I then squeezed the book as well to get more out.
taking book out of coffee dish to make it look old

Step 6:
I then placed them outside to dry. This works best in the summer for obvious reasons. If you are doing this in the winter, put them on the ground by your heater vent or use a blow dryer.
drying A stack of coffee-stained books with worn vintage pages created from inexpensive Dollar Tree books.

Step 7:
Bind them in some ribbon or jute and decorate! I have these all over my house. They make the perfect decor for side tables, trays, bookshelves, and baskets.
Easy DIY tutorial showing how to make Dollar Tree books look old using coffee for vintage home decorating.

Coffee-aged Dollar Tree books styled as vintage decor on a wooden table with a cozy cottage-inspired aesthetic.
Would you ever do this to a book? Let me know if you try it and how it turned out!

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happy DIYing! Alicia