5. Vintage Brick Bookends
An old brick is already heavy, already textured, and often already charming — which makes it one of the quickest bookends you can put together. Salvage yards, flea markets, and demolition piles are good sources, and a mismatched pair of bricks has more character than two identical ones.
Materials:
- Two clean bricks
- Chalk paint or matte craft paint
- Stencil, painter’s tape, or a small brush
- Cork or felt sheeting
- Craft glue
How to make them: Brush off dust and let the bricks dry completely. Paint them with two thin coats, letting each dry fully, or leave one face raw for contrast. Add a house number, a short word, or a simple leaf motif if you like. Cut cork or felt to fit the base and glue it on so the brick does not scratch the shelf.
Time: about an hour including drying. Difficulty: beginner.
Bare bricks suit a rustic or industrial shelf, while a painted pair in a bold color can hold cookbooks on a kitchen counter. Use them as a pair with one painted and one natural for an intentionally collected look.