I LOVE projects like this. Being able to take a plain piece of furniture and make it look more custom in only a few steps. When we started the office makeover, I knew I wanted to have some bookshelves in it for storage and “pretties”. Yes, “pretties”. Having extra shelves that I can redecorate over and over again are perfect for when inspiration strikes. I wanted to have two matching wall bookshelves on either side of one of the windows in the office. As we looked at the window closer, we found out it wasn’t centered on the wall. UGH! Why do you build a home and not make things centered??? I don’t get it! So, now, I was looking for at least one bookshelf. Maybe we could make two work, but it would be pushing it. Like I preach over and over again, if you frequent your favorite spots, you will find pieces that will work exactly for what you need. On a regular stop to Restore, I found a pair of bookshelves that were perfect for the office! They weren’t deep and they were such a great price. I bought them both hoping we could make them work. This Wall Bookshelves Makeover took plain bookshelves and made them look fabulously custom in only a few short steps!
When I bought the wall bookshelves, I loved that they had left the shelves unpainted. I knew I was going to keep them that way in the makeover.
The custom makeover started with a few pieces of wood pieces on the front of each bookshelf. We used a 1×4 around the top and then added 1/2’s to each side of the upper portion of the bookshelves.
Now it was time to beef them up even more. We had some decorative trim pieces in the garage that we had picked up from other Restore stops. They were just what we needed for the top of these bookshelves.
Look at them now! You wouldn’t even know they were plain bookshelves to start with. A little bit of trim goes a long way to make things look higher end.
When I brought the wall bookshelves in to paint, I found that the paint that was on them was just peeling off! It was one of those projects that you weren’t planning on doing, but it was coming off so easily, it became a mission. I could not stop once I started. My daughter even got in on the fun. We were both hooked. It is so much fun when the kids get involved with these projects. They learn so much.
Once we got to a stopping point, it was time to move forward with the bookshelf makeover.
Even without the paint, the three pieces of trim we added make these wall bookshelves look more custom.
Before I painted, I thought it would be fun to add paper to the back of the bookshelves.
I searched through the wrapping paper I picked up after Christmas at Target for 70% off.
(If I have said it once, I have said it a thousand times. Shopping after the holidays is so smart! Look for items that you can use all year-long. Pieces and products that are on a huge discount, but can be used in different ways.)
This paper was in the Christmas clearance and it doesn’t even look like Christmas! It was going to be the perfect addition to the bookshelves. Matt measured and cut the wrapping paper to fit the back of the bookshelves and I used spray adhesive to attach it. The wrapping paper was a thicker quality so it was perfect for this project.
I mixed a few left over Fusion Mineral Paint gray colors together to get enough paint to cover both bookshelves.
The tall bookcase doesn’t look plain anymore.
A few pieces of trim goes a long way!
Each tall bookcase has been so much fun to play around with and decorate. The office is still not done, but I am enjoying the process and each project as it gets done.
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What would you store in a tall bookcase?
Supplies used in this Wall Bookshelves Makeover:
Decorative Paper
Wood Trim Pieces
Don’t have wall bookshelves to make over right now? I found some beautiful options online:
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If you liked this Wall Bookshelf Makeover post, you will also like my other easy, DIY projects:
How To Paint Furniture Without Sanding
Great project improvement, Lindsay! And I love how you styled the shelves with so many different textures-looks great!
Thank you Lora!
That trim made such a difference!!! What a great idea.
Thank you Jillian! It was so easy to do and did make a huge difference!
I love it! Sure wish there was a pinterest icon, so I could pin it to my craft room makeover I am doing!
The trim made all the difference, but I really love the paper background! How did you apply the paper? I’m thinking of using some white print paper inside our bathroom vanity. Thanks for making me think I’m not crazy!
I used a school glue and water mixture (basically Mod Podge) I didn’t have spray adhesive on hand. I would have used that instead if I wasn’t so impatient and just trying to get the project done. 😉