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From vintage finds to leftover scraps, here's how to give old wallpaper new life.

Credit: Aaron Dyer

Whether reimagining vintage glassware or inventing ways to use empty gift boxes, repurposing old stuff revs your creative energy and breathes new life into otherwise unused objects. With their nostalgic color palettes and patterns, vintage wallpaper is particularly ripe for reinvention. And if you have some leftover swaths of contemporary wallpaper? Same story.

From using it as a matting in a picture frame to covering various surfaces for a touch of whimsy, let these wallpaper projects inspire your next crafting session.

Hannah Hemmerly, interior designer and owner of HH Studio, a full-service design studio Create Custom Wall Art Bench in a hallway with a bouquet of flowers a bag umbrellas and botanicalthemed decor

Let’s start with an easy craft anyone can do, including kiddos. All you need is a single piece of vintage wallpaper cut to the size of your picture frame. "Whether you opt for a gallery wall of mixed patterns or a single oversized print, framing allows you to showcase intricate designs without overwhelming a space," says crafting and DIY expert Chelsea Barton."This works especially well with florals, chinoiserie, or textured prints." Barton suggests thrifting your frames and choosing simple finishes, like wood or brass, to let the wallpaper shine. You can also use the vintage wallpaper as a mat for a photograph or artwork.

Make a Custom Inlaid Tabletop

If you're hankering for a bigger project, consider trying your hand at a custom inlaid tabletop using vintage wallpaper. "A local millworker or craftsman can give the material new life by inlaying it into a table and then sealing it with a glass or resin top," explains interior designer Hannah Hemmerly. "Alternatively, many millworkers sell their work on platforms like Etsy and are usually open to custom commissions and collaborating directly with clients to bring a vision to life."

While more time and labor-intensive, it'll be worth it. This craft "results in a truly unique, heirloom-quality piece for your home," Hemmerly says.

Try Some Decoupaging Crafts A decorated dresser with a butterfly motif a matching table lamp and a chair with a tote bag styled in a room with bright decor

Just like other paper ephemera, vintage wallpaper lends itself nicely to decoupage crafts, transforming everyday objects into one-of-a-kind, high-charisma showpieces. Use it to refresh trays, make over small boxes, breathe new life into thrifted plates or vases, or even on drawer fronts.

For best results, cut pieces precisely and apply with a thin, even layer of decoupage medium to avoid bubbling or lifting. Seal the surface with a clear acrylic sealer or a water-based polyurethane to protect against wear. A matte finish leans into the vintage vibes by keeping things muted and soft, while satin or gloss adds a bit more durability for high-touch pieces.

Cover Old Books

Give old, thrifted, or even new books a decorative update by wrapping them in vintage wallpaper. “Styled on shelves, coffee tables, or nightstands, these custom covers create a layered, collected look,” Barton says. “Choose flexible, thinner wallpaper so it wraps well around spines and corners without bulk, and use spray adhesive for a smooth finish.”

You can even add subtle embellishments, such as heat-transfer vinyl monograms, embroidery, or hand-tied ribbons. Stack them together in a vignette, prop them on a bookshelf, or use them as a table centerpiece.

Wrap a Gift A gift box wrapped in decorative floral paper with a satin ribbon bow on top

If a book can be wrapped with vintage wallpaper, so can a gift! Keep the wallpaper sheets at the ready for the next time you have a present to deliver, Hemmerly suggests. "It can be cut into shapes and glued onto blank cards, used as decorative gift tags, or incorporated into name cards and party favors," she says. "Just be sure to mount the wallpaper onto a thicker cardstock or paper to ensure durability and achieve the sturdiest, most polished results."

Apply to Closet Panels

The tricky thing about vintage wallpaper is that you likely don’t have enough to cover an entire room. To use it as originally intended, Barton suggests lining back panels or inside doors of a wardrobe for an unexpected pop of pattern. “It’s a simple way to add unexpected delight to functional spaces while keeping the overall room aesthetic clean and uncluttered,” she says. “And because it’s contained within the interior, you can experiment with bolder prints you might not use elsewhere.”

Make sure to coordinate the wallpaper tones with nearby textiles, like bedding or curtains, so the space feels curated.

Line the Back of Shelves Credit: Kate Sears

For a similar project that keeps your treasured vintage wallpaper more in sight, use it to line the back of a bookshelf or China cabinet. This transforms any old bookshelf into a custom piece while infusing a bit of textural whimsy into the room. At the same time, it creates contrast that helps the books stand out.

Again, make sure to use wallpaper that ties into the existing space; it doesn’t have to feel matchy-matchy, but it should fit the aesthetic easily.

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Credit: KhongkitWiriyachan / Getty Images

Deciding what stays and what goes when decluttering can feel surprisingly complicated. Sentimental items tug at emotions, and others you can't part with "just in case." Before long, you’re surrounded by items you meant to get rid of but now are just adding back to drawers. The viral 90/90 rule aims to actually get items in those donation bins by replacing all the "Do I need this?" back-and-forth with two simple, clear-cut questions.

Here's how to use this trending decluttering method to finally clear out what you no longer need.

The 90/90 Decluttering Rule, Explained

One of the hardest parts of decluttering is overcoming the idea that you might need something someday. The 90/90 rule is, more or less, a reality check that invites you to evaluate what you actually use rather than what you hope to use eventually.

Originated by The New York Times–bestselling authors Joshua Fields Millburn, Ryan Nicodemus, and T.K. Coleman of The Minimalists, the now-viral approach centers on two questions. When deciding whether to keep or declutter an item, ask yourself:

Have I used this in the past 90 days?Will I realistically use it in the next 90 days?

The answers will ultimately decide the item’s fate. If the answer to both is no, it may simply be taking up space.

This approach helps reduce the confusion and emotion that often accompany decluttering. Instead of feeling like you’re making a high-stakes decision about each item, you’re simply acknowledging how (and how often) you actually use it.

When the Rule Doesn't Apply

Like most guidelines, the 90/90 rule isn’t meant to be rigid. Certain items naturally fall outside a three-month timeline, such as holiday decorations and seasonal clothing. In fact, the method’s original concept encourages users to choose a duration that makes sense for their lifestyle and the decluttering task at hand.

For example, winter coats won’t likely see daylight in July, but they’ll get plenty of use once temperatures drop. Similarly, luggage might only be used a few times a year but remains essential. The goal isn’t to discard anything that hasn’t been used recently, but to question whether it genuinely serves a purpose in your life.

How to Start Using the 90/90 Rule

You can apply the 90/90 decluttering rule to almost any part of your home, but it’s particularly helpful in areas where clutter tends to accumulate.

Considering getting started in the following areas. Ask the two questions honestly. If something hasn't been used recently and you can’t see yourself reaching for it soon, consider placing it in a donation box.

Closets and Wardrobes: Applying the 90/90 concept to your closet will quickly reveal what you reach for most and which pieces haven't been worn all season. If you can’t picture yourself wearing something in the next few months (and haven’t in the ones before), it may no longer deserve a place in your closet. Kitchen Cabinets and Drawers: Clearing out rarely used items makes everyday cooking easier. Take careful stock of single-purpose tools, small appliances, specialty gadgets, and novelty mugs. If they haven’t made an appearance in the past few months (and you can’t imagine using them in the near future), they may be better suited for donation. Bathroom Drawers: Half-used products, duplicate toiletries, and expired beauty products can overtake bathroom storage. The 90/90 rule can help curate your collection to items you actually use in your routine. Storage Areas: While usage for some seasonal items falls outside a 90-day window, many stored belongings may not have been touched in years. Applying the rule here can reveal just how much space is being taken up by things you no longer need or forgot you owned.

Remember that you don’t need to make dramatic changes overnight. You’re focusing on real habits and choosing the items that will genuinely support your daily life. The 90/90 rule offers a simple framework that should make it easier to identify what truly belongs in your home and to clear out what you no longer need.

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Composite image of a staircase plumbing diagram bathroom with a bathtub and a hallway with furniture

This story is a part of our Family Home Issue, a look at what family living looks like today and all of the milestones that come with it, whether you’re buying a “starter home,” baby proofing, becoming an empty nester—or maybe living with parents again later in life. To see the 2026 Family Home Issue, click here.

Text The Family Home Issue in colorful block letters with decorative elements like kites clouds and birds Accessibility and safety should be top of mind when designing a new home for aging in place.Multi-level layouts and bumpy flooring transitions can present difficulties as folks age.Failing to make kitchens and bathrooms accessible can make everyday life challenging.

Design details like floating stairs and bespoke knobs for your cabinets might seem great when you pick them out, but if you plan to stay in your home long-term, you'll want to think about how certain design details might impact mobility and accessibility needs as you get older. As it turns out, knobs aren't as accessible as easy-to-grip handles on a cabinet, for example.

We’ve spoken to construction pros and aging in place experts to help identify those design features you might regret for aging ahead of time. Here are their recommendations.

Mike Peck is a certified aging in place specialist (CAPS) and VP of installation at Leaf Home. Multi-Level Layouts Credit: sheilasay / Getty Images

Building a home with multiple levels can offer more space and a beautiful aesthetic and spacious home. However, if you plan to stay in your home long term, certified aging in place specialist Mike Peck says a multi-level layout may not be in your best interest.

As mobility decreases, traversing stairs or single steps down to lower levels presents a risk of falling every day. This is made even worse if you have to use a wheelchair, walker, or other mobility device.

Even if you want a multi-level home, aim for a primary bedroom on the main floor.

Drawer Knobs Instead of Handles

Although you might think deciding between knobs, pulls, and handles is a matter of taste, the choice can actually greatly affect your kitchen's accessibility as you age. Instead of knobs and small pulls, which require grip strength, wide handles are much easier to grab and pull for those with limited strength or arthritis.

The good news is: These are relatively easy to swap out as your tastes change and as you age.

Too Many Transition Strips Credit: Olga Zarytska / Getty Images

"Every time there’s a change of elevation, even the slightest lip or bump, that’s a potential tripping hazard," Danny Niemela, vice president of ArDan Construction, says of homes.

This can be happen when there are too many types of flooring materials throughout a home, or if there are thick and chunky transition strips between materials.

To prevent this, Niemela recommends using consistent flooring without transition strips throughout the home, noting that the upfront cost is often similar to what you'd pay to fix the problem later.

"Depth of materials aside, it costs almost exactly the same to do it right from the start," he says. "Taking care of transitions after the fact costs homeowners $3,000 to $10,000, sometimes just to correct doorways."

Narrow Hallways Credit: PC Photography / Getty Images

Niemela calls narrow hallways one of the most forgotten mistakes when building a home for aging-in-place, saying hallway width is something you really can't upgrade later.

"It feels great to stroll down a 36-inch hallway at age 40," he says. "Try it at age 75 with a walker ... or a wheelchair ... Those walls are going to feel like they’re pushing in on you."

Niemela adds that you'll need a clearance of 48 inches for a walker and 60 inches for a wheelchair.

Inaccessible Bathroom Sinks

When designing (or picking out) your forever home, don't forget to ensure the bathroom details are accessible for long-term use.

Niemela specifically recommends against pedestal sinks and vessel sinks. Vessel sinks are often deep and set back on a vanity and require leaning over to wash your hands, and pedestal sinks don't offer much stability for someone needing to lean for support.

Adding handrails and grab bars is a great way to make a bathroom more accessible for aging in place.

High-Threshold Showers Credit: irina88w / Getty Images

Adding a high threshold to an already slippery place like the shower to creates an everyday risk that is easily preventable.

Paul McManus, president of McManus Kitchen and Bath, recommends a low-threshold shower with a grab bar at the entrance, saying it's easier to step over and provides greater stability.

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Credit: Vanit Janthra / Getty Images

Small spaces mean fewer surfaces to sweep, mop, and wipe, but they sure have a way of accumulating clutter. Daily life often has nowhere to hide when square footage is limited, so everyday items like mail, packages, and laundry pile up at impressive speeds.

The fix is effective storage solutions you actually use, some aggressive editing, and little tricks that keep you motivated.

When floor space is limited, leverage your walls and ceiling. “One thing I see all the time in small spaces is people trying to ‘fit more’ instead of designing smarter. The biggest shift comes from using vertical space intentionally,” says Jennifer Q. Williams, professional organizer and president of Saint Louis Closet Co.

For example, she says swapping a single closet rod for double-hanging rods—for tops and pants—immediately doubles your closet's capacity without adding any additional square footage. You can also use floating shelves, hooks, or narrow wall-mounted cabinets.

Bedroom interior with a bed bench and framed wall art minimal design soft furnishings and wooden flooring

Many folks purchase long, low plastic bins to store clothes beneath the bed, taking storage pressure off of the closet and dresser, but Rhea Becker, a professional organizer based in Boston, Mass., says you can go one step further by adding risers beneath each leg of the bed frame.

“You’ll increase the space below the bed exponentially,” she says. “All you need to do is purchase adjustable bed risers, which offer options of three inches, five inches, or (the high-altitude) eight inches of height.”

A quick reset each day—or even every other day—allows you to stay on top of clutter before it spirals out of control. It’s way easier to tend to a few dishes in the sink than a pile that spreads across counters, and it’s much easier to simply wipe down the bathroom sink instead of scrubbing weeks-old gunk.

Set aside 10 to 15 minutes each day to do a quick tidy-up. This might look like picking up items out of place, wiping down surfaces, tending to papers, folding blankets, and grouping like items.

Make it a challenge to yourself by seeing how much you can get done in 10 minutes, or in the span of a few songs. Or consider motivational tricks like “idle cleaning,” where you handle a small task while waiting for something like the coffee to brew or the casserole to cook.

A person adjusting a ring on their finger in front of an open jewelry drawer

Instead of relying on a single catch-all drawer, divide drawers into very specific categories, such as everyday jewelry, hair accessories, or workout items. "When everything has a defined space, it’s much easier to maintain organization and avoid clutter building back up," Williams says.

For an extra touch, her team uses velvet-lined drawer inserts for lingerie, tights and socks, jewelry, and eyewear. "You can also use adjustable dividers to customize each drawer to your lifestyle," she adds. "I always tell my clients: the more specific the category, the more likely it is to stay organized long-term."

Think about how often you bring something home, and juxtapose that with how often you permanently take something out. There's often an imbalance here, and it’s what leads to clutter in any home. (You just tend to feel and see it more in a small space.)

You can start small here. For example, Becker says to take a look at any old boxes you’ve kept and to get rid of them—even if they’re the "good boxes." Also, edit your clothing to remove items you haven’t worn in a year, trinkets that no longer bring you joy, and stuff that’s no longer functioning well or isn’t being used.

Credit:

Lisa Vollmer / Jess Cooney

Having less square footage calls for creative use of space. Double-duty furniture that combines function with organization helps tremendously with this. This could be an entryway bench with storage underneath, or an ottoman that opens up to store blankets and games. It could also look like a Murphy bed that folds away when out of use, or a desk that doubles as a nightstand.

One of the most overlooked strategies is organizing your space based on how you actually move through your day. For instance, if you get dressed in the same order every morning, your closet should follow that flow. And in your kitchen, you should keep items you reach for most often within reach.

"Design your space for the actual users," says Williams. "If you have small children, install hooks for coats and book bags at their level. If you have teens who prefer to fold jeans and sweats, then install more adjustable shelving and less hanging." These small tweaks can have a big impact.

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Please note: The data visualization embeds on this page are best viewed on a laptop or desktop computer.

In more than 60% of metro areas, the occupations most likely to own homes today is different from what it was a decade ago.

Some jobs make it easier to become a homeowner than others. Higher salaries can help, but so can job stability along with where those jobs are located. In some parts of the country, teachers and construction workers have strong homeownership rates. In others, even traditionally high-earning positions like engineers can struggle to keep up with housing costs.

Looking at homeownership by occupation helps answer a simple question: which workers are most likely to own homes—and where?

At the national level, the occupations with the highest homeownership rates have remained largely unchanged over the past decade. Management and business professionals continue to lead the list, with about 72% owning their homes in 2024, almost unchanged from 2014. Education and social service workers also remain near the top. Although their homeownership rate fell compared with a decade ago, the decline was smaller than the drop among STEM occupations, making educators the second-highest group after management and business professionals. This likely reflects that many technology workers are concentrated in some of the most expensive housing markets, where housing costs have risen faster than incomes.

However, some other occupations have gained ground. Sales and real estate professionals saw their homeownership rate rise from 60.8% in 2014 to 63.3% in 2024, reflecting stronger gains in housing access for that group. Even more notable is the progress among service occupations. While these workers still have the lowest homeownership rate in the country, their rate increased the most over the past decade, rising from 42.7% to 48.5%.

Management & Business: 72.2%

Executives, managers, and financial professionals are the most likely to own homes. Nationally, 72.2% of households in these professions own their homes, slightly lower than 72.4% in 2014.

Several mid-sized metros, areas with more than 100,000 households, also stand out for strong ownership rates amongst these professionals. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; York–Hanover, Pennsylvania; and Duluth, Minnesota, all report homeownership rates of nearly 90% among management & business workers. Another distinction is that many of these markets combine professional employment opportunities with relatively attainable home prices.

Some areas also saw significant gains since 2014, including markets in the Midwest and parts of the South, where home prices have remained more in line with local incomes.

Teachers and Social Service Professionals: 67.3%

Educators have a national homeownership rate of 67.3%, down from 68.0% in 2014.

Several metros stand out for both strong ownership levels and gains since 2014, especially communities where home prices remain within reach for middle-income households. Daphne–Fairhope–Foley, Alabama; Brownsville–Harlington, Texas; and Fort Smith, Arkansas, are some of the markets with particularly strong homeownership rates for educators. In these markets, relatively affordable housing helps teachers transition into homeownership more easily.

Engineers and Technical Professionals: 67.2%

Workers in STEM and technical occupations—including engineers, computer scientists, and technical specialists—have some of the highest homeownership rates overall at 67.2%, below 69.2% in 2014.

Even though the national rate edged down, several metros saw increases in homeownership among technical workers. Markets such as Ocala, Florida; Montgomery, Alabama; and Savannah, Georgia, show strong ownership outcomes, reflecting continued job growth in the technology and research sectors, combined with housing markets that remain more attainable than those in many coastal tech hubs.

Sales & Real Estate: 63.3%

Workers in sales and real estate occupations saw one of the largest increases in homeownership over the past decade. Nationally, the rate rose from 60.8% in 2014 to 63.3% today.

Metros such as Appleton, Wisconsin; Lexington, Kentucky; and Palm Bay, Florida, show strong homeownership rates among these workers and have also experienced notable gains over the past decade.

Healthcare: 62.2%

Workers in healthcare occupations—including nurses, physicians, and medical technicians—have a national homeownership rate of 62.2%, up from 61.8% in 2014.

Metros such as Beaumont, Texas; Cape Coral, Florida; and Lynchburg, Virginia, show strong ownership rates among healthcare workers. These areas also experienced increases over the past decade, supported by steady healthcare employment and moderate housing costs.

Skilled Trades & Construction: 62%

Construction and skilled trades workers—such as electricians, carpenters, and construction workers—have a homeownership rate of 62.0%, up from 61.2% in 2014.

By metro, Wilmington, North Carolina; Charleston, West Virginia; and Green Bay, Wisconsin, stand out. In many of these markets, construction wages have risen while home prices remain relatively attainable.

Transportation & Public Safety: 58.1%

Workers in transportation and public safety occupations—including truck drivers, police officers, and firefighters—have a national homeownership rate of 58.1%, down from 59.3% in 2014.

However, several metros stand out, including Asheville, North Carolina; Youngstown, Ohio; and North Port, Florida, where relatively affordable housing markets support ownership among these workers.

Service Occupations: 45.5%

Workers in service occupations—such as hospitality workers, food service employees, and personal care providers—have the lowest homeownership rate nationally at 45.5%; however, they also saw the largest improvement since 2014, rising from 42.7%.

Several metros show higher ownership rates for service workers than the national average. Salisbury, Maryland; Ogden, Utah; and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, stand out, suggesting that in some more affordable markets, these workers are able to transition into homeownership.

At the national level, not much. But locally, quite a lot.

The data shows that in 61.4% of metro areas across the country, the occupations with the highest homeownership rates differ from those a decade ago. This means that in a majority of local housing markets, the profile of the typical homeowner has shifted.

In Columbus, Georgia, education and social service professionals now have the highest homeownership rate, replacing healthcare workers (who led the market a decade ago). In Ann Arbor, Michigan, management and business professionals moved to the top, overtaking skilled trade workers. In Reno, Nevada, management occupations also now lead homeownership rates, surpassing education and social service workers who previously held that position. Other markets show different shifts. In Ocala, Florida, STEM and technical workers now have the highest homeownership rate, replacing healthcare workers. Meanwhile, in Savannah, Georgia, STEM occupations also moved to the top, replacing management and business professionals.

The big takeaway from the data is that this is not just a regional story, but an affordability story. You can see strong homeownership rates across the country, from the Midwest to the South and parts of Florida. But, what many of these metros have in common is that home prices remain more closely aligned with local incomes, allowing people across a variety of occupations—from teachers to construction workers—to become homeowners.

Nadia Evangelou, Principal Economist and Director of Real Estate Research, National Association of REALTORS® #AdamsCameron #Since1963

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