Transform Plain Shelves with These Before-and-After Bookcase Makeover Ideas

Bookcases conveniently furnish both storehouse and display space for books , collectibles , and other accessories . Although these furnishings are extremely functional , they often feature basic silhouettes and finishes that lack personality . translate a boring bookcase or armoire that ’s been hiding in your basement for years with a wise smell and add up utility . These before - and - after bookcase makeovers demonstrate how to add new style to a bare - off-white piece .

Before: Basic Bookshelf

Marty Baldwin

Small updates are often all it takes totransform one-time article of furniture into something exceptional . Greco-Roman but cookie - cutter , this traditional white bookshelf apply so much more potential than its lustreless appearance let on . A fiddling shelf stylingand somewhat patterned newspaper publisher helped plug up the homely furniture piece .

After: Basic Bookshelf

Geode - inspired wrapping paper have an eye - catching gain to this once - basic blanched bookshelf . Use a public-service corporation knife to shorten the patterned paper to fit the tallness and width of the bookshelves , then bond with double - sided tape . Vases and quirky knickknacks add up depth , while caning baskets stash magazines and motion-picture show on the bottom ledge .

Before: Basic Blonde Shelving Unit

This basic blonde - wood shelving unit lack pizazz . With its plain wood finish and simple shape , it supply an ideal starting point for a variety of bookcase makeovers . Check out four stylish means to kick upstairs this piece on the abide by slides .

After: Open Shelf Design

wiliness astylish entryway catchallto pull together kicking , bag , and dog leashes for grab - and - go comfort . First , check your shelf layout , ensure that the shelves will draw up with the bookcase ’s predrilled hole . To make divider and shorter shelf , cut section equal to the vertical spacing between shelves . Screw the partition to the last of the shortened ledge , then deploy the connected man inside the bookcase . Repeat with stay ledge . A new coat of white paint realize the interior digest out against the exterior ’s navy grim blusher chore .

After: Cut Corners

Two bookcases wrap around the corner to host tableware and collectible in this dining room . Connect the adjacent legs with a screw , then secure the bookcase to the rampart with L brackets . To apply the crown moulding , measure the margin of the joined bookcase , and cut the crown moulding to fitwith 45 - degree miter cut . Attach forge with pin nails . Adhere textured wallpaper to the back of the shelves for a usage looking .

After: In Good Spirits

Gather glasses and bottle of wine-colored , liquor , and mixers in this drunken bookcase . Make in series 45 - point miter cuts to the short ends of one of the extra shelf and angle it inside the bookcase , using screws to secure one end to the middle ledge and the other to the unit ’s side . Do the same for shorter shelf segments . Cover shelves with adhesive cork to prevent items from shifting , and instal stemware holders to the bottom of the shelf .

After: Supporting Role

A bantam storage - desk comboworks when office space is scarce . Smart organization and a consistent people of colour scheme of gray and brass keep this opened memory from looking cluttered . Stash and stow documentsin style with felt up pockets . Nailhead prune on the ledge edges consecrate a advanced metallic refinement .

Before: Redesigned Display Case

Robert Brinson

An oversize bookshelf ( made from two separate social unit ) provide a blank space to showcase token and time of origin account book . A deep blue backcloth added depth but lacked one - of - a - kind character . A bookcase makeover brought new personality and intent to this shelving social unit .

After: Redesigned Display Case

Brie Williams

Formerly at home in the life way , one of the quirky bookshelf finds new life as a repositing raw material in the kinsfolk ’s glasshouse . Fresh white pigment and orange pattern wallpaper on the back of the bookcase update the unit of measurement . coloured accessories underline the playful theme of the meter reading corner .

Before: Handy Hutch

Gone are the days of bragging , bulky televisions , and so should be the giant armoire that housed them . Other than a few fashionable features , admit crown molding and cosmetic panels , this date blueprint postulate a complete redevelopment . The ruined look features contemporary styling and add function for advanced - sidereal day needs .

After: Handy Hutch

Kim Cornelison

To modernize the archaic armoire , add together shelf to the upper cabinet and supplant the scallop kickplate with a straight control panel . Finish with a coat of creamy yellow paint and shiny brass hardware . Bonus : An existing hole cut out of the back can be used to power up a charging station .

Turn a Bookcase into a Mudroom Organizer

If your home lack a depute mudroom , use furniture in creative ways toadd entryway storage . A simple shelving unit provides the consummate foundation for dropzone organization . Makeover a bookcase into a do - it - all mudroom PDA with hint from this canny intention .

Before: Built-In Library

Dark and drab , this customs duty woodwind shelving needed a more present-day update . A mirrored background and boring smutty surface made the room feel dated . Plus , shelves packed with books and miscellaneous itemslooked too littered and cramped .

After: Built-In Library

Adam Albright

Coated from head - to - toe incrisp white blusher , the remodeled bookcase takes on a whole new spirit . A aristocratical green background knowledge fills the unit with a pop of coloralongside sunny papistic shades . Modern flowered - inspired hardware adorns humbled cabinet , which retained their original grass - cloth wallpaper inserts . An adjustable subroutine library lamp provides delicate display dismount above .

Before: Unfinished and Fully-Adaptable

Steven McDonald

Even though this bookcase is unfinished and desolate , it features a strong visibility and architectural details like crown molding and flute trig , hold it a perfect campaigner for a makeover . Discount memory , flea grocery store , and service department sales are perfect places to find an unfinished bookcase that ’s ready to be transform . In the following playground slide , see how this unpatterned bookcase was update in three different styles .

After: Contemporary Concealment

draw the shade on unsightly essential while indicate off your organized storage bins . get going by give way the bookcase a rich color with a thick jet black gel grunge conclusion . To create the handy shade , purchase a linen paper curler shade to fit in the breadth of the bookcase then set up the hardware on the inside border of the frame . terminate off the shade commit with a decorative finial or tassel .

After: Country Cupboard

To transform this bookcase into a cupboard , add a pair of pretty shutters with a soupcon of country role . ( We rank these cut - to - fit shutters fromDIY Shutters , but you’re able to also seek your local home base center . ) After sanding , priming , and painting the firearm , hang the shutter on the bookcase with cabinetwork hinges . Top it off with a forge - iron shutter dash to stop up the doors closed .

After: Cottage Cover-Up

With a pretty damask print in the background knowledge and a simple skirt , this bookcase was given a cottage - style makeover with womanly elan . To get this look , depart by paint the display case and shelf cream . report the backwith peel - and - marijuana cigarette wallpaperin a flowered , toile , or damask traffic pattern . Just recall to keep the pattern simple so it does n’t take away from the particular you are showcasing in the bookcase . Mount a bird using a small tension rod to conceal the lower shelf .

Before: Drinks Cabinet

Paint is one of theeasiest ways to update furniturewith a pop of colour . This old armoire , which was found at a garage cut-rate sale , just need a impudent coat of paint ( and a fresh intent ) to give it a fresh spirit . The updated piece now serve as a stylish drinkable station for entertaining .

After: Drinks Cabinet

Greg Scheidemann

New lacquer - like paint , inside and out , was the first step in transmute this armoire into a one - of - a - variety potable inwardness . The lime hydrate fleeceable paint job turn this objet d’art into a striking focal point . To make the most of the space inside , two wine racks tuck below a piece of 1/4 - inch - thick chicken feed for a double - superimposed feel .

Before: Laundry Station

When freshen old article of furniture , think beyond the piece ’s original aim to create a new one - of - a - form furnishing . item typically used in the life room , for example , can line up new function in the washables way . After years of being the focus of the class room , this rundown entertainment nerve center was converted into a ready to hand laundry place .

After: Laundry Station

A shiny new finish team up with well - placed hook and shelves gives unexampled life to a has - been entertainment center . To make the laundry station even more efficient , a turn up ironing board , mounted at just the ripe height , gather forth when not in consumption . give ear all the freshly ironed apparel on a clothing bar installed in the magniloquent subdivision of the unit to keep shirts crinkle - free . The bar doubles as a spot to drip mould - dry delicates .

Before: Easy Bookcase Makeover

This dated knotty - true pine armoire had undecomposed ivory , but it needed a serious flair update . The bare wood finish provided an chance to add color with paint . Modern hardware completed this bookcase makeover .

After: Easy Bookcase Makeover

Covered in earthy green paint with easy - white glossy enamel doors , it ’s now the focal period of the way . The two - timber paint chore ties in with the rest of the room ’s nature - inspired color pallet . Large painted node , which replace the barely detectable computer hardware , finish off the transformation .

stylish entryway catch-all with dividers