Charming Garden Borders | How to Create Decorative Brick Books

Are you someone who truly loves books and embraces the bibliophile aesthetic in your home? Have you ever wondered how to extend this charming vibe to your yard? Well, today's project is here to provide an answer.
I'll walk you through the process of creating decorative brick books for the garden, a cost-effective and straightforward endeavor.
This post was transcribed by a member of the Hometalk editorial team from the original HometalkTV episode.
This clever DIY will not only resonate with your passion for books but also introduce a unique garden border idea that you can enjoy while spending time outdoors.
Tools and Materials:
- Bricks
- Paint
- Paintbrushes
- Permanent markers (various colors)
- Ruler or straight edge
Optional:
- Painter's tape for clean lines
- Clear outdoor sealant (to protect your finished bricks from weathering)
1. Paint the Sides
Start by painting the top skinny side of a brick in a neutral paint that resembles the color of book pages. I am using Folk Art chalk paint in Cashmere.
Then paint one of the longer skinny sides of the brick in the same neutral color.
Repeat this for all the brick books you want to make. Allow the brick to dry before moving on to the next step.
2. Paint the Book Cover
Now you are going to paint the rest of each brick in a different color. These colors will be the base of your front and back cover as well as the spine.
I decided to use bright colors but feel free to let your imagination shine.
3. Draw in the Pages
Use a black permanent marker to draw book-like stripes on the top skinny side of the bricks.
4. Embellish the Spines
Now, focus on decorating the spines of your "books". Use an array of permanent markers in different colors to draw designs, stripes, and shapes that resonate with your personal style. These decorations will bring each brick to life.
5. Assemble Your Book Art
Now that the bricks are all decorated, it's time to place them in your garden. Arrange them carefully to create a lovely and playful border that mixes art with nature. You can put them on paths, near flowers, or anywhere you want to add a bit of magic.
Looking for more ways to enhance your garden's charm?
How to Create Decorative Brick Books
And that's it – wonderful garden art that combines the love of books with the outdoors. By following these steps, you've changed plain bricks into fancy painted brick books, giving your garden its own special style. Let this project inspire your own ideas. Tell me what you think in the comments.
I would love to have you stop by my blog Chas' Crazy Creations for the full tutorial as well as sign up for my latest creations, posts, recipes, exclusives, and more…
I would love for you to subscribe to my YouTube channel to see more of my crazy creations - https://www.youtube.com/c/chascrazycreations
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Resources for this project:
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Comments
Join the conversation
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Elaine on Mar 13, 2025
Really cute idea! I was thinking of bordering some flowers with some bricks that I have but I had not thought about painting them. Thanks for the cute idea! I think these book painted bricks would make a cute door stop too!
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Chas' Crazy Creations on Mar 13, 2025
Thank you
I'd love to invite you to join me ...
Chas' Blog - https://chascrazycreations.com/
Chas' YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/chascrazycreations
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4wheelsRunning 12 hours ago
cute idea, TY4sharing :-)
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
Can I do this with long thin cement blocks instead of bricks and stand them on their long end like you did the bricks?
Cute and easy to do, but HOW would they be displayed? Do you have any examples in your yard?
Did you spray them with something so that the rain won’t wash it off??