Bookcase Makeover

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September 1, 2010

From a simple coat of high gloss paint to decorative paper, we’ll show you how to make a forgotten bookcase stand tall once again. Finish the look by arranging books, plants and knick-knacks in fresh new ways with our composition tips.

One Bookcase, Three Looks
We started with one unremarkable bookcase, then reinvented it in three one-of-a-kind ways. Give your own bookshelf a facelift, or apply these easy techniques to other forgotten furniture in need of a refresh:

Look One: Two-Tone Color
Transform a boring bookcase into dazzling décor: cover the entire case in one color, then accent the back panels with something different. Try a white bookcase with cheerful yellow panels, or a soft grey one with vibrant amethyst panels. Or do the same with tables (legs one color, tabletop another) and chairs (chair one color, cushions another). For a unified look, pull colors from your room’s overall décor.
Look Two: Paper Panels
Show off your love of the written word with book-inspired panels. Repurpose tattered, worn-out books, newspapers or sheet music to decoupage your bookcase. Layer pages from illustrated botany books and dictionaries, or add a playful touch to a child’s room with a comic book or classic fairy tale-themed bookcase. Try the same technique with storage boxes, side tables or picture frames.
Look Three: High Gloss Paint
Go bold and make a statement by coating your bookcase in high gloss paint. To cheer up any room, try a bright color like tropical teal, granny-smith green or cotton candy pink. For touch of glamour, choose a rich color like plum, cobalt or burgundy. And learn how to add a decidedly modern sheen to everything from architectural elements to small décor accents in our article Paint Trend: High Gloss.

Tip: For something truly unique, repurpose furniture to build a custom bookcase. Try stacking and screwing together picnic benches, wooden fruit crates or even deep drawers. Paint them all a single, solitary hue—try taupe grey or deep plum—or mix and match complementary colors.

Swiffer quick tip

Composition Tips
Change the look and feel of a typical bookcase by arranging books and decorative items in unexpected ways:

Add charm with natural elements, like containers of pretty little plants or vases of fresh cut flowers. For year-round, hassle-free beauty, create your own faux floral arrangement.
Display some books upright and lay others on their sides to create height variation. Organize books by color for a rainbow effect, or turn the spine sides in for a simple, sleek look.
Incorporate accent pieces—turn pottery, small statues, heirlooms and souvenirs into bookends or proudly display something you collect, whether it’s vintage clocks or antique teapots.
Use your bookcase to organize! The shelves offer lots of valuable space. Keep your spark journals and gardening scrapbook there, then add a set of colorful storage containers where you can house everything from photos to recipes.
Show off your favorite photos, family silhouettes or handmade sun prints in fun frames. To create a cohesive look, paint or decoupage the frames to match your bookcase.