Tag: DIY Bookshelf

DIY Chic Bookshelf

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The other day, I found a bookshelf at the side of the road and had to have it. I was looking for a bookshelf, but wasn’t willing to spend the money on a new bookshelf, so when I saw this one I saw the potential! After getting it home and giving it a good look, I immediately hopped on Pinterest for some DIY inspiration. I found myself falling in love with the look of bookshelves that had wallpaper as the backing.

The Design Plan

Once I settled on a wallpaper style and the perfect paint color, it was off to Home Depot. I landed on a gorgeous color from Behr (details below!) and couldn’t wait to get started.

Let me be honest though, wallpaper is not as easy as it looks. This was my first time using it, and I definitely had a few moments of frustration when the pattern wouldn’t line up quite right. What I wish I’d done from the start was lay the wallpaper out flat, line up the pattern, and tape the pieces together with painter’s tape before cutting them to size. Live and learn!

Thankfully, I chose a peel-and-stick wallpaper, which made repositioning a lot easier whenever things didn’t go as planned.

The Process

Before I got to the fun part, I sanded everything down to create a smooth surface for painting. I used both a sander and sandpaper to get in the little nooks. After that, it was time to paint—and watching that dated finish disappear under fresh color was so satisfying.

Once the paint dried, I added the wallpaper to the back panel of the shelf. It instantly elevated the entire look, exactly the pop of style I was hoping for.

What I Used:

This quick project turned out to be one of my favorite DIYs yet, and the best part? The whole thing cost a fraction of what I would’ve spent on a brand-new bookshelf. Now I’ve got a stylish piece and a little story to go with it.

Have you ever rescued a piece of furniture and given it a new life? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear your stories!