DIY Papier Mache Home Decor

Creating your own home decor pieces gives you the ability to take creative control of the look of your surroundings. You can also turn this ongoing craft hobby into a way to present housewarming gifts to friends and relatives. Papier mache is something most people make and use in elementary school, but it serves as an excellent material for making home decor items. Knowing how to make home decor out of papier mache gives you the ability to revive a childhood favorite while turning it into beautiful, displayable art.

Things You'll Need
2 cups flour
1-1/2 cups water
2 qt. mixing bowl
Paper
Nonstick cooking spray
Assorted molds
Assorted paintbrushes
Assorted paints
Gloss spray

Papier Mache Recipe

Step 1

Add the flour and water to the bowl and mix them thoroughly until a thin, white paste forms. If it's lumpy and thick, add a little extra water, about 1/8 of a cup. Mix it thoroughly until the paste forms.

Step 2

Shred two or three sheets of construction paper. White paper is suitable if you're planning on painting your papier mache creations. Otherwise, use any color you want.

Step 3

Add the shredded paper to the bowl of flour paste. Mix the paper into the paste to saturate it fully. Making Decor

Step 1

Spray the surface of the mold of your choice liberally with nonstick cooking spray. Soap and candy molds are available in a wide array of shapes and sizes.

Step 2

Pour the homemade papier mache goop into the mold. This technique allows you to create a solid item, as opposed to a hollow, flimsy item made by the layering technique.

Step 3

Sit the mold filled with papier mache goop in a dry area to air dry for four hours. If you live in a humid environment, you may need as long as 24 hours to dry the creation.

Step 4

Slide the created papier mache item from the lubricated mold. Place the item on a protected surface so you can paint it.

Step 5

Use the assortment of paints and paintbrushes to paint and decorate your papier mache home decor item. For example, you can paint a papier mache' heart deep-red and decorate it by inscribing the name of your family across it. This can serve as a decorative door-hanger. Use your imagination when it comes to creating and decorating your papier mache home decor items.

Tips
Create a wide array of home decor items out of papier mache, using the technique of your choice. Items for home decor that you can make with paper mache are seemingly endless and include wall-hanging masks, decorative change dishes, containers for artificial house plants and so much more. You can also make ornaments for the holidays and picture frames that can be customized according to your home decor scheme.

Experiment with different types of paper when making your papier mache paste. Tissue paper, wrapping paper, printer paper and discarded notebook paper all have different textures that lend to the texture of the items you create.

Experiment with different papier mache techniques. You can layer the paste-soaked paper strips into a mold to create a hollowed-out item, or you can use the pulping technique explained above. Other techniques exist as well and you can even come up with your own creative ways of using this versatile craft paste.