30 Genius Ideas for Repurposing Old Bookcases Into Exciting New Things
- DIY Repurposed Bookcase Bar Table. Even if you don’t serve cocktails by the pool, this bar table made from an old...
- Easy Bookcase Headboard. Turn that old bookcase into a beautiful headboard for the bedroom that gives you loads of...
- Upcycled Bookcase Coffee Table. I simply love the look of...
- DIY Repurposed Bookcase Bar Table.
- Easy Bookcase Headboard.
- Upcycled Bookcase Coffee Table.
- DIY Bookcase Container Garden.
- Repurposed Bookcase Lockers.
- Adorable Recycled Bookcase Dollhouse.
- Upcycled Bookcase Double Work Station.
- DIY Bookcase Dress Up Closet.
What to keep on your shelves besides books?
What to Keep on Your Shelves Besides Books While traditional library-esque bookshelves certainly have their own appeal, a modern twist on a classic shelving setup is impossible to ignore. With the addition of vintage finds, lush plants and pops of color, a bookcase can go from a spot to store favorite reads to a perfectly curated vignette where ...
How to style your bookshelves like a pro?
Things to Remember When Styling Bookshelves
- Start with a blank canvas.
- Sort decorating items into groups.
- Decorate one bookshelf, and one shelf at a time.
- Try to follow an order.
- Apply the triangle formula.
- Walk away and look at the shelves from a distance.
- Make adjustments as needed.
How to organize books on a bookshelf?
Organizing a bookshelf – 10 ways to keep on top of your tomes
- Edit your book collection. A common mistake when organizing a bookshelf is to try and fit in your entire book collection. ...
- Order books alphabetically. There are several ways to order books, so think about what makes the most sense for your home library ideas.
- Group by genre. ...
- Create a rainbow effect. ...
- Reserve prime space for favorite books. ...
How to decorate bookshelves with books?
I decorate bookshelves in that order:
- Big collections (wine bottles, books) These usually work best on the middle shelves.
- Stand alone items (green metal sphere, big planter on the top shelf, driftwood bowl) Next fill in a few stand alone items. ...
- Groupings of 3 The design rules below (particularly #4 and #5) are helpful to reference for each of these steps, but especially for this one!
What else can a bookshelf be used for?
Yes, bookshelves easily hold books, but they can also hold all your other entertainment media as well! Turn it on its side and hold all you gaming consoles and movie players, store your DVDs, blu rays and even your CDs! It's a great piece to use for storage and organizing!
How do you make a bookshelf into a TV stand?
0:000:31IKEA Bookshelf Hack - Turn Bookshelf into a TV stand! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAn ikea old bookcase. Well what i did i used some led strip lights. Added it around the border. AndMoreAn ikea old bookcase. Well what i did i used some led strip lights. Added it around the border. And then i used some logs that i bought.
What can I do with a large bookshelf?
1:576:21How to Style a Bookshelf | 5 Easy Steps! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo large objects for styling can be anything from baskets to lanterns to bags to boxes to largeMoreSo large objects for styling can be anything from baskets to lanterns to bags to boxes to large pieces of art things like that. So in my case my bookshelf is going to be kind of a mix of decorative.
How do you make a pantry out of a bookcase?
0:384:11DIY Billy Bookcase Pantry | Kmart Pantry Organisation - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStarting with the bottom shelf i have a bunch of these glass jars. And these are just upcycledMoreStarting with the bottom shelf i have a bunch of these glass jars. And these are just upcycled coffee jars and then the little labels on them are from pretty.
Can you put a TV on a bookcase?
Bookcases both skinny and wide enclose a television and visually frame it with their vertical placement. Flanking a television with free standing or built in bookcases and surrounding it with decorative objects balances the weight of the big screen and reduces the television's dominance in a living space.
How do you make a kallax TV unit?
1:526:21Affordable DIY TV Stand using IKEA KALLAX Shelf! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce you have all four pilot holes in place you're going to want to go ahead. And just screw them.MoreOnce you have all four pilot holes in place you're going to want to go ahead. And just screw them. In. Once all the leg plates are in you can go ahead and just screw in the legs.
How do you display knick knacks without looking cluttered?
Cubby bookcases are close enough to the traditional that no one really pays attention to them, but they also allow extra storage for displaying books and knick knacks on a low-key level....Cork boards. ... Magnets. ... Poster frames. ... Shadow box frames. ... Scrapbooks. ... Hanging baskets. ... Jewelry displays. ... Shelves, shelves, and more shelves.More items...•
How do you display old books?
Books were designed to be stored on a bookcase; therefore, your books should be stored vertically. Storing your book upright in a snug, but not tight, fit between two similar sized books or a display case will maintain the integrity of the cover or dust jacket by not leaving any imprints from other books.
How do you organize bookshelves with lots of books?
Stack them horizontally, or shelve most vertically and then stick some horizontally on top of their new vertical buddies. Use your shelves for support. If you've run out of space on the bookshelves themselves, stack books next to them, using the bookcases as support.
How do you use a kitchen bookshelf?
0:493:51Kitchen Bookshelf Decorating Ideas For Open Wall Shelves And Built InsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI'm working on a bookshelf. Project there are always a few key items that I look for that canMoreI'm working on a bookshelf. Project there are always a few key items that I look for that can include large to medium sized containers. Such as the comfy pots cream where blue and white ginger pots.
How do you build a freestanding pantry cabinet?
2:269:16How To Build A Freestanding Pantry Cabinet Storage - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStarting with the top and the bottom of the cabinet on the side that faces out add three sets ofMoreStarting with the top and the bottom of the cabinet on the side that faces out add three sets of pocket holes along the sides. Use the anc. Position in the pocket hole jig.
How do I make a small kitchen pantry?
8 Smart Ways to Create a Pantry in Even the Tiniest KitchenRepurpose a bookshelf. ... Go between the studs. ... Use your wall. ... Slide it next to the fridge. ... Rethink the coat closet. ... Hang dry goods from your upper cabinets. ... Devote a cabinet. ... Hang shelves anywhere you can.
How can I turn my desk into a TV stand?
0:273:08Desk Upcycle into DIY TV Stand - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAt Lowe's we did miter the corners on that to give it a little bit of a seamless look to add aMoreAt Lowe's we did miter the corners on that to give it a little bit of a seamless look to add a little more detail. We also added a shelf in the middle to hold an Xbox or a DVD player. Something.
How do you turn a dresser into a TV console?
0:0010:29Turn A Dresser Into An Entertainment Center - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDetails so stick with us and we'll show you how to take this from drab to fab. Okay so I've takenMoreDetails so stick with us and we'll show you how to take this from drab to fab. Okay so I've taken out the drawer we've got the runner in here we're gonna unscrew this runner.
1. DIY Repurposed Bookcase Bar Table
Even if you don’t serve cocktails by the pool, this bar table made from an old bookcase is sure to come in handy somewhere around your home. And, it’s one of the easiest DIY projects ever.
2. Easy Bookcase Headboard
Turn that old bookcase into a beautiful headboard for the bedroom that gives you loads of storage and design. This bookcase headboard is made from an IKEA Expedit bookcase, although you could use any similar bookcase that you can find at a thrift store or yard sale.
3. Upcycled Bookcase Coffee Table
I simply love the look of this coffee table that is made with an upcycled bookcase. It’s just a standard wooden bookcase that you can get nearly anywhere – think thrift stores or flea markets for a really cheap one. The top is made from yardsticks and it’s absolutely gorgeous.
4. DIY Bookcase Container Garden
If you don’t have an outdoor gardening space, a container garden is the perfect alternative. That being said, did you know that you can build that container garden out of an old bookcase? And, since there are sections in the bookcase, you can keep your veggies, flowers or herbs perfectly separated.
5. Repurposed Bookcase Lockers
Lockers are a great concept for keeping things organized but who wants to shell out a small fortune to buy them? What if I told you that you could make them from an old bookcase? This DIY bookcase turned lockers project is brilliant and will help you to keep kids’ clothes, backpacks and so much more organized and neat.
6. Adorable Recycled Bookcase Dollhouse
If you have an old bookcase that you simply don’t need any longer, you can turn it into the perfect dollhouse for your little ones. This one doesn’t even take a lot of work and it’s a lot cheaper than buying an actual dollhouse.
7. Upcycled Bookcase Double Work Station
You can make not one but two desks and workstations out of just one bookcase! Imagine having a dedicated place for the kids to do their homework and a place where they’re actually separated so they’re not bothering each other while studying. This has so much organization potential and it’s such an easy little workstation to create.
Ideas for Painting Bookshelves
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Cover The Back Of The Bookcase
These next few bookshelf makeovers all use something to cover the back of the bookcase.
Glam It Up
If you want to add some sparkle and reflection to your bookshelf, try lining the back with mirror.
Add Custom Details
Another option for a bookshelf makeover is to add some custom details to it.
Enclose The Space
Enclosing part of your bookcase is a great way to get more out-of-sight storage…and less clutter!
Belt on a Shelf
Want to show off a few small items? This belt shelf from Ronja, the blogger behind Nur Noch, is a smart idea that's cheap and easy to create. All you need is a wood board and an old suede or leather belt. In this instance, Ronja used an Ivar shelf that she picked up at Ikea for less than $5.
Cheese Box Shelving
Carrie of Curb to Refurb has a knack for recycling found objects into stunning home furnishings. She created this stylish round shelf using a discarded cheese box. To find a similar box for free, visit your local gourmet store. Stores generally discard such boxes after unpacking the cheeses.
Wood Slices
Becky of Flipping the Flip created this rustic shelf using wedge slices from a tree trunk she found in the park. The keyhole brackets used to hang it cost her only 99 cents. This kind of wedge slice is cut out of the trunk whenever a tree trimmer is cutting down a tree.
Dresser Drawers
If you have a dresser you no longer need, you can follow what Emily from Namely Original did. Emily created these adorable DIY shelves using dresser drawers that she purchased from a resale shop. Locate wall studs using a stud finder, and then attach the drawers by driving fasteners through their bottoms and into the studs.
Wood Tray
Ronja from Nur Noch transformed a wood tray into a smart shelf. The project begin with sawing the tray in half lengthwise using a circular saw. Then, one short end is cut off each tray half. Finally, the cut ends are joined together to form a long, narrow shelf.
Craft Boxes
Carrie from Making Lemonade created a stunning shelving display using customizable paper mache boxes. Carrie spray painted the boxes gold and then screwed them into the wall after playing with placement for a bit. Finally, Carrie used gold scrapbook paper on the shelf backs to cover up the screws.
Apple Crates
You won't need more closet space if you have a dozen apple crates. Ronja from Nur Noch created these DIY shelves using old crates that she painted white and then fastened to a wall. A similar shelving style can be created from peach crates or any other wooden produce container.
Step 2: Beginning to Build..
This is where it gets a little complicated. You'll want to set the books as shown below to start the cube. Secure the L brackets about 1 inch from the outside edge of the book. (I've included a finished picture for reference, as well!) I think you all can figure out from there. Just make sure the horizontal books are BETWEEN the vertical ones.
Step 3: Now, to Explain the Nuts and Bolts..
My first trial run with building these proved quite annoying. Turns out the screws on all ends of the books don't do enough to help keep the covers from opening. This is where the nuts and bolts come in! You'll want the head of the bolt on the outside of the shelf or cube.
Step 4: Yay, Completed Cube! Now Repeat
Thankfully, my set of encyclopedias is rather large and I should end up being able to get six cubes out of it. I might update with pictures of those later. I've only finished two so far because I was distracted by instructables. I figured I'll paint and seal them after I've finished them all.
Step 5: Updates & Painting Your Bookshelf!
I finally got around to painting my shelves when I moved into my current apartment. I used spray paint to finish them. It only took a couple coats and worked beautifully. I didn't even have to use primer on them, which was quite nice. I used a clear coat on top to help protect them from moisture.
