How to Take Your Bookcase From Basic to Bold

One last Big Boy Room progress post before the big reveal! We originally planned to reveal our spaces today for the New Year, New Room Refresh Challenge hosted by Casa Watkins Living, but due to shipping delays, illnesses, etc., we made the decision to push it out until next week! Last week I shared a few sneak peeks of the the progress of the middle’s space and today I’m sharing a few looks at the recent bookcase makeover. Here are a few ideas for how to take your bookcase from basic to bold! 

Ever since I updated an old IKEA bookcase with wallpaper, I wondered, “Can I make wallpapering bookshelves a thing around here?!”

Because I wanted to do it again in the Playful & Pattern-happy Big Boy Room!

HOW TO TAKE YOUR BOOKCASE FROM BASIC TO BOLD

We had an old bookcase that we originally bought to sit inside the biggest’s nursery closet to use for additional storage. Since moving into this house, it’s continued to sit in the biggest’s closet tucked away with miscellaneous *stuff*. When I started working on the the middle’s Playful and Pattern-happy Big Boy Room, I thought I would pull out the bookcase and give it a fun makeover instead of buying a new piece of furniture.

And since we are calling it playful AND pattern-happy, I thought why not go all in bold?! On the outside AND inside! Here is a peek at where I landed and a few additional ideas you can take as a dose of inspiration for your own bookcase.

1 | Transform it with paint.

I simply wiped down the bookcase and added multiple coats of paint. I used Bold by Velvet Finishes for a fun pop of color in the room. Since it’s a small piece, step outside your comfort zone and try something bright! It can always be painted again later if you get tired of the loud color. But in a kid space, why not do something super fun!

2 | Line the shelves, backing or both with paper or fabric.

See! Wallpapering bookshelves IS and SHOULD be a thing!

Black and white wallpaper was already being used on an accent wall in the space, but I decided to add more! This black and white animal print removable paper seemed like a great option to add to the interior. I was originally only going to cover 3 out of the 6 cubbies, but decided to go all out once I got started.

I’m thrilled with the outcome, but the process was fairly time-consuming. You could paint and wallpaper in separate blocks of time, but it all adds up! With the paper, you have to measure, cut. secure and often re-position the paper inside the cubby. Which is the beauty of removable paper. You can easily shift it if you make a mistake.

With a little time and lots of patience, I managed to cover all sides and backs of the inside of the bookcase. The bold yellow on the outside and fun and playful dots on the inside makes my heart happy!

Paint & paper was also used to makeover this bookcase that sits in our mudroom.

You could also put removable wallpaper on a piece of cardboard cut to size and simply attach it to the back, bottom or sides if you wanted an even more temporary fix!

3 | Paint the interior a different color than the exterior.

If you’re already thinking a fun color, why not do 2 fun colors?!

4 | Add interesting details.

Campaign hardware [or a campaign hardware hack using corner braces] can be added for a touch of metal. Add legs or posts to the corners to raise the bookcase and give it a unique look.

5 | Have fun with the styling.

Color coordinate your shelves of books for a fun rainbow look! I filled 3 of the shelves with books and then inserted plastic bins for toys and stuffed animals in the remaining cubbies. I’m thinking cute labels would be a fun addition and just might try to whip something up before the reveal. 

No longer basic, is it?! It’s so simple to take an old bookcase from basic to bold using any of the above methods and ideas!

I’m appreciative of the extra time even though the room is nearly ready to reveal. I was down and out for almost last week not feeling well. Life must go on as a mama with littles, even when you’re not feeling well . Ultimately, the room had to take a waaaay backseat to life. Be ready for next week when all of my ideas are brought to life in full reveal of the playful & pattern-happy big boy room!

If you want to see other bookcase or bookshelf ideas, click here.

Don’t forget to pin for later!

Now be sure to scoot on down to see all the other participants’ progress on their spaces. These transformations are going to be absolutely incredible and I can’t wait to see myself!!

Casa Watkins Living // Domicile 37 // House Homemade // Iris Nacole // Monica Wants It //

Jeweled Interiors // Pocketful of Posies // This Is Our Bliss // Up To Date Interiors
 

The sponsors for our spaces are fabulous, so be sure to check them all out!

If you’ve missed any of the previous Big Boy Room updates, you can check them out below;

PLAYFUL & PATTERN-HAPPY BIG BOY ROOM PLANS
7 OF THE CUTEST BOY ROOMS INSPIRING ME RIGHT NOW
COLORFUL & AFFORDABLE WALL ART PRINTS FOR A BOY ROOM
BIG BOY ROOM PROGRESS UPDATE
HOW TO TAKE YOUR OLD BOOKCASE FROM BASIC TO BOLD
PLAYFUL & PATTERN-HAPPY BIG BOY ROOM REVEAL