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March 29, 2021 · 26 Comments

How To Paint A Bookshelf DIY

Furniture

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I found this shelf unit at a garage sale for $5. I wanted to try my hand at some more furniture makeovers and this price allowed me to give it a go! In the beginning I wasn't sure where I'd use this piece because there are so many places we could use shelves. Who doesn't need more shelf space right?

Do you want to know how to paint a bookshelf? I found this shelf unit at a garage sale for $5. I wanted to try my hand at some more furniture makeovers and this price allowed me to give it a go! In the beginning, I wasn’t sure where I’d use this piece because there are so many places we could use shelves. Who doesn’t need more shelf space right? How to paint furniture with chalk paint 1300

Here's the original shelf. The picture just doesn't do it justice. It had been painted a couple times, there were drips, uneven paint, etc.

Here’s the original shelf. The picture just doesn’t do it justice. It had been painted a couple times, there were drips, uneven paint, etc.

How To Paint A Bookshelf DIY Video

I started by lightly sanding the piece.

How do you paint a wooden bookshelf?

I started by lightly sanding the piece with my Black and Decor Orbital Sander.

Next I cleaned the entire piece with a mixture of denatured alcohol and water.

Next I cleaned the entire piece with a mixture of denatured alcohol and water.

I had intended for this unit to be in my bathroom for storage, but my daughter as I said ... swiped it for her room :) She picked the color she wanted as the base. I added 2 coats of Home Decor Chalk Paint in the color Castle. I let it dry between each coat.

What kind of paint do you use on wood bookshelves?

I had intended for this unit to be in my bathroom for storage, but my daughter as I said … swiped it for her room 🙂 She picked the color she wanted as the base. I added 2 coats of Home Decor Chalk Paint in the color Castle. I let it dry between each coat.

I let the entire piece dry before moving on.

I let the entire piece dry before moving on.

My daughter loves stars and her favorite color is blue. We picked this fabric out. I measured the shelves and made a paper template for how much fabric we'd want on each shelf. I cut the fabric to match the template.

My daughter loves stars and her favorite color is blue. We picked this fabric out. I measured the shelves and made a paper template for how much fabric we’d want on each shelf. I cut the fabric to match the template.

I painted on a layer of Mod Podge onto the shelf where the fabric would go.

I painted on a layer of Mod Podge onto the shelf where the fabric would go.

I placed the fabric onto the shelf and on top of the Mod Podge and smoothed it out.

I placed the fabric onto the shelf and on top of the Mod Podge and smoothed it out.

I added another coat of Mod Podge on top of the fabric to protect and seal it.

I added another coat of Mod Podge on top of the fabric to protect and seal it.

I added a few layers of Mod Podge letting it dry between each coat. We also found some baskets that fit on the shelves so that we could store some things in them.

I added a few layers of Mod Podge letting it dry between each coat. We also found some baskets that fit on the shelves so that we could store some things in them.

I found this shelf unit at a garage sale for $5. I wanted to try my hand at some more furniture makeovers and this price allowed me to give it a go! In the beginning I wasn't sure where I'd use this piece because there are so many places we could use shelves. Who doesn't need more shelf space right?

How To Paint A Bookshelf Video

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Comments

  1. Grandma's House DIY says

    March 2, 2020 at 8:26 am

    Chas, I’ve been wanting to try fabric like this for awhile now! Your shelf turned out so lovely I’m definitely going to have to try it myself!

    Reply
    • Chas says

      March 2, 2020 at 8:53 am

      Thank you so much Tarah – I’ve done it a couple times now and love the texture it brings to a piece. Plus it really helps when a surface is a little messed up and you can’t necessarily sand it down.

      Reply
  2. Alexandra says

    March 4, 2020 at 4:50 pm

    The star fabric adds so much to this piece! It’s awesome.

    Reply
    • Chas says

      March 4, 2020 at 7:06 pm

      Thank you so much Alexandra

      Reply
  3. Tracy Albiero says

    March 6, 2020 at 6:19 am

    You people with your creative side!!! I wish I had that. You did a great job on this table. #trafficjamweekend

    Reply
    • Chas says

      March 6, 2020 at 6:20 am

      Thank you so much Tracy 🙂 You are so very sweet.

      Reply
  4. Elise Ho says

    March 6, 2020 at 12:21 pm

    I love the idea of taking what is old and making it new again. I can not really say that is my talent but it is pretty great. Thank you for sharing with the Blogger Pit Stop.

    Reply
    • Chas says

      March 6, 2020 at 2:57 pm

      Thank you Elise, I think anything we can do to take old things and give them new life is great.

      Reply
  5. Anne Robinson says

    March 6, 2020 at 4:58 pm

    That was a clever design on your shelves. I am always a fan of stars. Thanks for sharing. HUGS

    Reply
    • Chas says

      March 6, 2020 at 5:05 pm

      Thank you so much Anne, I’m thrilled you like it – hugs back

      Reply
  6. Edye says

    March 7, 2020 at 8:00 am

    Such a beautiful shelf! I’d love this in my office!

    Reply
    • Chas says

      March 7, 2020 at 8:01 am

      Thank you so much and I’m flattered you’d like to have it in your office 🙂

      Reply
  7. Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade says

    March 8, 2020 at 10:05 am

    You’ve done a great job on this little find and several others I see. I love the DIY projects and repurposing old furniture.
    Stopping by from the Traffic Jam link party.
    Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade

    Reply
    • Chas says

      March 8, 2020 at 3:40 pm

      Thank you so much Dawn and thanks for stopping by

      Reply
  8. Ann says

    March 8, 2020 at 5:41 pm

    Great project, Chas, and you’re right. Everyone needs more shelf space! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ’s.

    Reply
    • Chas says

      March 8, 2020 at 5:50 pm

      Thank you Ann, I’m glad you think so too 🙂

      Reply
  9. Antionette Blake says

    March 9, 2020 at 3:48 pm

    This is a fun DIY and I shared on LinkedIn for the weekend warriors.

    #TrafficJamWeekend

    Reply
    • Chas says

      March 9, 2020 at 4:15 pm

      Thank you Antionette, and I’m so flattered to be chosen for your weekend warriors – thank you!!!

      Reply
  10. Anita Holland says

    March 9, 2020 at 6:42 pm

    Very clever, I would never have thought of adding fabric. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Chas says

      March 9, 2020 at 8:35 pm

      Thank you Anita, it really helps when you don’t feel like you can sand it down and make it level.

      Reply
  11. Julie says

    March 14, 2020 at 8:25 am

    That turned out great. You can NEVER have too much storage and bonus points if it is pretty!

    Reply
    • Chas says

      March 14, 2020 at 8:57 am

      Thank you so much Julie, I’m glad you think so too.

      Reply
  12. Marilyn Lesniak says

    March 14, 2020 at 3:37 pm

    Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn

    Reply
    • Chas says

      March 14, 2020 at 6:27 pm

      Thank you very much Marilyn, and I’ll see you at the next one.

      Reply
  13. Kim | Shiplap and Shells says

    March 29, 2021 at 5:57 pm

    I loved how this turned out Chas! And I am a huge fan of Mod Podge.

    Reply
    • Chas says

      March 30, 2021 at 7:31 am

      Thank you Kim, and yes, Mod Podge is fantastic for so many things!

      Reply

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