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Home » Crafts » Simple Hanging Paper Lanterns from Book Pages

Simple Hanging Paper Lanterns from Book Pages

July 1, 2020 By Katie Hale Leave a Comment

Paper lantern collage
Paper lantern collage
Paper lantern collage
Paper lantern collage
Paper lantern collage
Paper lantern collage
Paper lantern collage
Woman holding paper lantern
Paper lanterns on a table
Woman holding paper lantern
Paper lanterns on a table
Paper lantern collage
Paper lanterns on a table
Paper lanterns on a table
Woman holding paper lantern
Paper lanterns on a table
Paper lantern collage
Paper lanterns on a table

I love paper lanterns, and this little tutorial is absolutely adorable! So easy to make, cost practically nothing, and ideal for decorating a room for any holiday or event. Using pages from some old books helps keep costs low while also adding a unique look to the lanterns. I really love how easy this is to make, and I know you will too! Add them to a shelf, on your table, or hang them for a fun decoration for your next party.

Paper lanterns on a table

Table of Contents

  • Hanging Paper Lanterns
  • Can These Hang From the Ceiling?
  • Are These Safe to Use With Candles?
  • How Can I Decorate These Paper Lanterns?
  • Supplies Needed
  • How to Make Hanging Paper Lanterns
    • Second Book Page Lantern Design
  • More Uses for Old Book Pages
  • Finished Project Gallery

Hanging Paper Lanterns

You already know that when making almost any papercraft, I am going to reach for my stack of old books to use the pages as the base. This lantern project was just a little fun idea for decoration, but could also be easy to make with any paper you have on hand.

While they are not traditional lantern, they are a great choice for decorating. They look great with farmhouse decor thanks to the rustic nature of the papers. You can, of course, make them work for any decor as a simple accent, featured decoration on a mantle, or a simple way to add light to a room. They can even be the ambiance at a romantic dinner with your spouse!

Paper lanterns on a table

Can These Hang From the Ceiling?

These little lanterns can definitely hang from the ceiling. While the paper isn’t super sturdy, you can attach a little ribbon or even a length of fish line to them to safely hang them from the ceiling. I like the idea of just adding a bit of ribbon and stapling it to the backside or top of the little lantern.

While I love using old books for crafting, I admit that if you want to hang these, it is best when you use a thicker paper. Card stock or craft paper works better because the tension from the string hanging won’t rip them as easily as it does book pages.

Paper lanterns on a table

Are These Safe to Use With Candles?

I would not use these lanterns with an actual flame of any kind. Obviously, paper is highly flammable, so it wouldn’t be safe to use it with a real candle. Instead, you can use little LED candles for light. I pick these up at the Dollar Tree in packs of 6 for $1. You can buy them in bulk online, at craft stores, or most regular department stores.

If you want a lantern that works with real candles or flames, you can use this tutorial for how to make a tin can lantern or a decorative lantern from an old tuna can! What a brilliant idea for adding a real lantern to your decor. You can also check out this list of garden lanterns for the outdoors as good options to bring light to your backyard.

I also love this farmhouse lantern made with picture frames and wine glass lanterns for tealight candles. There are tons of ways to use real candles to light a room!

Paper lanterns on a table

How Can I Decorate These Paper Lanterns?

Below, I show you how to make three different styles of this old book page lantern, but they are a bit simple in appearance. If you want to dress them up a bit, you can definitely add little extras. It’s easy to make these lanterns unique to fit your style!

You can use different papers to make the lanterns as a start. Construction paper, craft paper, scrapbook paper, card stock, and newspaper can all be used for a different look to the lanterns. A bit of glue or mod podge and sprinkling glitter onto the paper really makes them sparkle. You can use ribbon or twine accents or even a few sequins or rhinestones if desired. Get creative and turn your lantern into a real gorgeous decor piece.

Lanterns on a bookshelf

Supplies Needed

  • Pages from an old book
  • LED tealight candles
  • Unique hole punch or decorative craft scissors
  • Scissors
  • Craft knife
  • Stapler
  • Hot glue gun
  • Hot glue stick or hot glue rope

Supplies for making paper lanterns

How to Make Hanging Paper Lanterns

Tear two pages from an old book per lantern you wish to make.

Tearing book page

Trim the pages down on both sides so they are even and no rough or ragged edges are left.

Cutting edge off book page

Now, roll one of the pages into a tube, and staple along the edges to secure. You will do this for each lantern you make.

Rolling page and stapling

Cut a 1″ wide strip of paper or book page for each lantern.

Use a decorative hole punch or craft scissors with a scalloped edge to cut along the strip of paper to give the handle a unique appearance. Set this aside for later.

Cutting handle for lantern from book page

First Paper Lantern Design

Fold a book page in half.

Folding paper

Cut along the folded edge of the paper every 1/8″ all along with the page. Do not cut completely through the page, leave the end with 1/4″-1/2″ wide strip of solid page.

Cutting bok page

Unfold the paper but keep the folded edge creased.

Now, glue the solid edges around the tube you created.

Stapling cut page on lantern

The creased part of the page will stick out and the solid part will be glued to the top and bottom of the tube.

Stapling cut page on lantern

Paper lantern on white table

Second Book Page Lantern Design

Place a book page on a cutting mat, and use your craft knife to cut down the page leaving both ends in place but creating lines throughout the page about 1/8″ wide.

Cutting bok page

Wrap this around a tube you have already created, and glue the top and bottom to the tube.

Stapling cut page on lantern

Leave the strips open and rounded.

Paper lantern on white table

Third Lantern Design

Place a book page on a cutting mat, and use your craft knife to cut the lines in the middle of the page, leaving a 2″ section on one side and 1/4″ edge on the other.

Cutting bok page

Fold over the top edge to create a small crease.

Cutting bok page

Wrap this around a tube you have already created, and glue the top and bottom to the tube.

Gluing paper to lantern

Fluff the strips out so they are rounded.

Gluing paper to lantern

Add a handle to the top of all three of your lanterns with glue or staples as preferred.

Stapling a handle to paper lantern

Decorate and add to any room as decoration or lantern.

Paper lantern on wooden table

More Uses for Old Book Pages

If you have extra book pages left over, you’ll love some of our other projects. This old book page calla lily bouquet is a new favorite with a delicate look. I also love the paper rose ball made from old book pages or just simple old book page flowers to use as accents. You can make old book page feathers, hanging birds, or even an old book page paper hedgehog craft.

Crafter’s Tip

When making paper crafts, I love keeping a variety of hole punches and decorative craft scissors on hand. These are great for adding little accents, making edges prettier, and sometimes covering up a mistake made when crafting.

Yield: 3

Simple Hanging Paper Lanterns from Book Pages

Lanterns on a bookshelf

Turn pages from an old book into these adorable little hanging paper lanterns! Add an LED light to make them glow or sit on a shelf as decor!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Active Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $1

Materials

  • Pages from an old book
  • LED tealight candles
  • Unique hole punch or craft scissors with scalloped edge

Tools

  • Scissors
  • Craft knife
  • Stapler
  • Hot glue gun
  • Hot glue stick or hot glue rope

Instructions

  1. For every lantern, tear 2 pages from an old book; Tearing book page
  2. Trim the edges of the pages off so they are even; Cutting edge off book page
  3. Roll one of the pages into a tube shape, and staple along the edges. Do this for each lantern you want to make; Rolling page and stapling
  4. Cut a 1" wide strip of book page for each lantern, then use a decorative hole punch or crafting scissor to create a scalloped edge on each piece; Cutting handle for lantern from book page

First Paper Lantern Design

  1. Fold a book page in half vertically;Folding paper
  2. On the folded edge, cut across the paper every 1/8" leaving the opposite edge intact, do not cut completely through; leave 1/4"-1/2" wide strip on the opposite side; Cutting bok page
  3. Unfold the paper, but crease the folded edge so it creates two sides of strips;
  4. Glue the solid edges around the tube you created earlier; Stapling cut page on lantern Paper lantern on white table

Second Book Page Lantern Design

  1. Place a book page on a cutting mat, and use your craft knife to cut down the page leaving both ends in place but creating lines throughout the page about 1/8" wide; Cutting bok page
  2. Wrap this around a tube you have already created, and glue the top and bottom to the tube; Stapling cut page on lantern
  3. Leave the strips open and rounded; Paper lantern on white table

Third Lantern Design

  1. Place a book page on a cutting mat, and cut lines 1/8" apart leaving 1/4" edge on the top and 2" edge on the bottom; Cutting bok page
  2. Wrap this paper around one of the tubes you made earlier and glue the solid edges; Gluing paper to lantern
  3. Fluff out the strips to form a lantern shape; Paper lantern on white table
  4. Add one of the decorative strips you cut earlier to each lantern to act as a handle; Stapling a handle to paper lantern
  5. Place the lantern over an LED tealight to create light or simply add to a shelf as decor. Puting lantern over tealight candle Paper lanterns on a table Woman holding paper lantern

Notes

You can use any paper you want to make these lanterns.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • 6 x Design Decorative Edge Craft Scissors
    6 x Design Decorative Edge Craft Scissors
  • Vintage Book Page Bundle
    Vintage Book Page Bundle
  • Fleur-de-lis Corner Hole Punch
    Fleur-de-lis Corner Hole Punch
  • Vintage Scrapbooking Paper
    Vintage Scrapbooking Paper
  • The Manhasset Mixed Book Page Pendant Light
    The Manhasset Mixed Book Page Pendant Light
  • Always, Harry Potter, Paper Lanterns
    Always, Harry Potter, Paper Lanterns
© Katie Hale
Project Type: Decorating / Category: Crafts

Finished Project Gallery

Woman holding paper lantern

Woman holding paper lantern

Woman holding paper lantern

Paper lantern on white table

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