These DIY book ends are a novel finish

16 Jul 2025

If you have a love for books and are just piling them up with no order, then this project will be right up your alley. Store bought bookends can be pricey, but the good news is they are easy to make. With some pieces of wood and some cheap wooden letters you can have your very own personalised DIY bookends. You could even spell out your name or a loved one’s name instead if you’re giving them as a gift! 

How to make your own book ends

• 2 pieces of wood 23cm long, 14cm wide and 2cm thick
• Wooden letters
• Wood glue
• Screws
• Drill
• Paintbrush
• Resene testpots in your favourite colours. We used Resene Triple Parchment and Resene Half Parchment

Step 1: Measure and cut your wood so you have four pieces 23cm long, 14cm wide and 2cm thick.

Step 2: Paint the four pieces of wood in your chosen Resene colour. We used Resene Half Parchment.

Step 3:Paint the wooden letters in another of your chosen Resene colours. We used Resene Triple Parchment.

Step 4:Take two pieces of the painted wood and screw them together to make an ‘L’ shape. Repeat this with the other two pieces of wood for the other side of the book ends.

Step 5:Glue the painted letters to the bottom of the ‘L’ pieces using wood glue.

Step 6: Add books to your bookends and enjoy your handiwork.

Wall painted in Resene Half Doeskin, console in Resene Double Parchment and vase in Resene Double Parchment.

project Vanessa Nouwens

images Bryce Carleton

Published: 16 Jul 2025