Two Objects you can Decorate Using Decoupage
Decoupage is in, and not without good reason. Because there are so many different methods you can use, this is a decorating technique which is suitable for both beginners and more experienced crafters. Plus, it’s a low-cost and really versatile way to decorate your home, as every decoration you make will be unique.
If you want to learn more about decoupage, then read on, and we’ll tell you everything you need to know. Plus, we’ll give you some ideas on some of the best objects to decorate using decoupage.
What is decoupage?
The word decoupage comes from the French “découper”, meaning “to cut”. And this is the key to this decorating technique: cutting. The idea is to cut different shapes, images, and patterns out of fabric and then use them to decorate different objects around your home.
Nowadays, the most common materials to use for decoupage are patterned napkins. This is because is great to decorate pretty much any object or surface. The only thing you have to remember is that not every type of napkin is suitable for use in decoupage.
You can buy beautifully patterned napkins in decorating or specialist fabric and craft stores. Plus, they’re usually really hard-wearing, so they won’t tear while you’re working with them.
As well as napkins, you can also use other water-resistant fabrics or paper. There are infinite options out there – any strong, flexible and humidity-resistant material will do.
The biggest advantage to using this technique is that the results are really versatile, so you can use them to decorate any room in your home. It all depends on which objects you want to decorate, and the patterns you choose.
Now that you know a little more about decoupage, we’ll show you some ideas you can try out at home.
1. Boxes
Boxes are one of the most common objects to decorate using decoupage. They’re really simple to decorate, so if you’re new to decoupage, this is a great place to start. Plus, you can use boxes for so many different things as they’re so useful.
Most of us have several boxes of many different shapes, sizes, and styles lying around our homes. Why not try decorating one using this technique, and give it a new lease of life as a jewelry or keepsake box.
The first thing you need to do is paint the box. If it’s a wooden box, you can leave it in its natural color. If, on the other hand, it’s a recycled box, it’s best to cover the brand, and any pictures or labels. Once your box is ready, all you need to do is cut out the images you want from your napkin and stick them to the box using a paintbrush and glue.
Leave it to dry and apply a thin layer of varnish over the entire surface of the box. With this simple technique, you can decorate your box with flowers, your children’s favorite cartoon characters, or any other pattern you can think of.
2. Glass jars
The second object to decorate with decoupage is really original and is sure to give your kitchen a new lease of life. Buy several different glass jars with hermetic seals. We love these. They never go out of style and look great in rustic, minimalist, classic or modern style kitchens.
Scrub them out well to make sure they’re completely clean and then glue on the images you’ve cut from your napkin. We recommend that you only decorate a small part of the jar so that the majority of it is still transparent and you can see what’s inside.
Varnish the rest of the jar, making sure that you can’t see the brush strokes. Because they are made of glass, you’ll need to take more care when working with jars than with boxes.
And it really is as easy as that! In no time, your jars will be ready, and you can use them to store rice, pasta, salt or sugar. You’ll have all your ingredients on-hand when you need them and, at the same time, you can decorate your kitchen with these original and, best of all, hand-made objects.
These are just two examples of how you can decorate with decoupage. The only limit is your imagination. Be bold, and try out this technique on different objects around your home to create a really unique style.