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Bookshelf Makeover: Before & After

October 9, 2014 By Erin Spain 34 Comments

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Wallternatives. All opinions are my own.

I’ve been scurrying around like a crazy person this week trying to get some projects done so I can (finally) start on the nursery. Today I’m excited to share this bookshelf makeover with you, mainly because the product I used for this project happens to be one of the coolest things I’ve used in a long time.

You may remember that I recently appeared in a segment on HLN talking about ideas for decorating a dorm room. One of the items I showed during that segment was Wall Appeal removable wallpaper from Wallternatives. I opted to use some of it to line the back of the bookshelf in the playroom, and I love it!

Here is the bookshelf before:

Bookshelf Makeover: Before

Just kidding, let’s be honest. This is the real “before”.

Bookshelf Makeover: Before

And here it is now:

Bookshelf Makeover: Before & After

The bookcase was given to us by my in-laws since they no longer had a need for it, and it has definitely come in handy for our playroom. First, we used it to store art supplies and games, but I decided to stick those in the nearby dresser drawers and actually use the shelf for books since the small cube bookshelf in the boys’ bedroom happens to be overflowing at the moment.

Some of their books stayed in their room, but we were able to clear out several and store them on this bookshelf instead.

First, I patched over the knots with wood filler and primed the whole thing (I used Kilz Premium) to prevent bleed-through, and then I painted it with an ultra white semi-gloss paint. It took one coat of primer and 3 coats of paint to get really good coverage.

Then, I used the Wallternatives Wall Appeal removable wallpaper for the back. I simply measured, cut it to size, and stuck it on, smoothing out wrinkles as I went along. The amazing thing about this wallpaper is that it peels off easily and you can reuse it, move it, reposition it, etc., and it’s extremely easy to install.

I’ve always loved the look of patterned paper or wallpaper as a bookcase background, but I’ve been hesitant to use actual wallpaper because I change my mind so often. This solves that problem! I love it. I used the elegant floral damask pattern in “cream on orange.”

Here are some more photos:

Bookshelf Makeover: Before & After

Bookshelf Makeover: Before & After

Bookshelf Makeover: Before & After

Bookshelf Makeover: Before & After

Bookshelf Makeover: Before & After

And here’s a little side by side “before & after” comparison for you.

Bookshelf Makeover with Wallternatives Wall Appeal removable wallpaper

If you’re wondering how long the shelves stayed organized, the answer is “until the boys came home from school.” 🙂 Be sure to connect with Wallternatives on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest for lots of inspiration!

What would you use this Wall Appeal removable wallpaper for? There are so many fun possibilities!

 

YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY THESE POSTS:

  • How to Make Any Wallpaper Removable
  • The 20 Toy Rule: How We Decluttered Our Playroom & Simplified Our Life
  • DIY Kid’s Art Table
  • DIY Lego Table IKEA Hack

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Thanks for visiting!

-Erin

Filed Under: DIY, Furniture, Furniture Makeovers, Home & DIY Blog, Popular Posts

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Comments

  1. Erica Deuel says

    October 9, 2014 at 9:05 am

    They look amazing!! Great job! I love it! XOXOX

    Reply
    • Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says

      October 9, 2014 at 1:45 pm

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Cindy says

    October 9, 2014 at 9:19 am

    Super cute! 🙂

    Reply
    • Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says

      October 9, 2014 at 1:45 pm

      Thanks Cindy!

      Reply
  3. [email protected] says

    October 9, 2014 at 9:34 am

    WOW!! What an incredible difference! Looks amazing!

    Reply
    • Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says

      October 9, 2014 at 1:45 pm

      Thank you Kristi!

      Reply
  4. [email protected] Stroll Thru Life says

    October 9, 2014 at 9:42 am

    Oh I love it, that wallpaper is gorgeous and painted white it looks so fresh.

    Reply
    • Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says

      October 9, 2014 at 1:45 pm

      Thanks Marty! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Emily says

    October 9, 2014 at 9:50 am

    love love love it! The white and color on the back really looks amazing. Such a fun pop of color!

    Reply
    • Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says

      October 9, 2014 at 1:44 pm

      Thanks so much Emily!

      Reply
  6. Stacy Risenmay says

    October 9, 2014 at 10:18 am

    Looks great!!! I love the color 🙂

    Reply
    • Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says

      October 9, 2014 at 1:41 pm

      Thank you Stacy!

      Reply
  7. Myrna says

    October 9, 2014 at 1:12 pm

    Beautiful update! But I worry about safety since kids might want what’s too high up. Is the bookcase well secured? The mother in me is still there even though I’ve got grandkids!

    Reply
    • Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says

      October 9, 2014 at 1:41 pm

      Thanks Myrna! I do plan on anchoring it to the wall before the baby is born. My boys are old enough that I was able to sit them down and have a major talk about not climbing and if they need something up high ask mommy and daddy — they’ve never been climbers really anyway, but I do have the same concerns as you and so yes I do plan on anchoring it! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Amy Anderson says

    October 10, 2014 at 9:06 am

    LOVE your shelf makeover – and their site is so cute. They have Halloween goodies which are my favorite!

    Reply
    • Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says

      October 10, 2014 at 9:49 pm

      Thanks Amy! I love their Halloween stuff too!

      Reply
  9. Anna says

    October 10, 2014 at 10:16 am

    The wallpaper looks great, but it’s also nice that it can be removed in the future!

    Reply
    • Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says

      October 10, 2014 at 9:51 pm

      Thanks Anna! I love the fact that it can be temporary — I am a fickle decorator!

      Reply
  10. Taylor says

    October 10, 2014 at 10:32 am

    Wow! What a drastic change!

    Reply
    • Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says

      October 10, 2014 at 9:52 pm

      Thanks Taylor!

      Reply
  11. Ashley says

    October 10, 2014 at 5:35 pm

    This is so cute, thank you for sharing! It is great inspiration to a boring bookshelf. Glad I found you over on the Serenity Now Link Up!

    xoxo
    Ashley

    Reply
    • Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says

      October 10, 2014 at 9:52 pm

      Thanks so much Ashley!

      Reply
  12. Michelle says

    October 10, 2014 at 10:39 pm

    You did a marvelous job with this! I have a sad little bookshelf that needs a new life!

    Reply
  13. Sue says

    October 15, 2014 at 6:42 pm

    Thanks so much for the info!! Love your shelf makeover. I was just telling my daughter earlier today that I plan to add some sort of paper to the back of a bookcase in our family room. I will check out the removable wallpaper right now!!

    Reply
    • Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says

      October 15, 2014 at 9:07 pm

      Thanks Sue! They have several cute patterns of the wallpaper. It’s really easy to use!

      Reply
  14. Hani Shabbir says

    October 16, 2014 at 12:14 am

    Love your wallpaper choice!

    Reply
    • Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says

      October 16, 2014 at 11:23 am

      Thank you, Hani!

      Reply
  15. Virginia Fynes says

    October 21, 2014 at 10:03 am

    WOW, what a transformation! looks great

    Reply
    • Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says

      October 21, 2014 at 8:39 pm

      Thank you, Virginia!

      Reply
  16. Lynn says

    October 23, 2014 at 7:05 pm

    It turned out beautiful!! Love that wallpaper and the fact that it is removable…

    Reply
    • Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says

      October 24, 2014 at 9:39 pm

      Thank you, Lynn!

      Reply
  17. Kay says

    April 23, 2015 at 1:41 pm

    That looks great! I am doing the same thing with the removable wall paper on a bookshlef. However, I am having a really hard time getting each piece on there without it wrinkling or sticking in the wrong spot. Do you have an tips that would make this easier? It took me almost 45 min, just to get one shelf done! And it still has wrinkles 🙁

    Reply
    • Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says

      April 27, 2015 at 9:14 pm

      Hi Kay! I’m sorry you are having problems. I’ve heard some negative things about some other brands, but Wallternatives is the only one I’ve ever used and I had no problem with wrinkling. It was easy to peel up and reposition too. I used a plastic spreading tool to smooth it out, but any straight edge (even a credit card) would work fine. I would maybe try a heavier duty wallpaper or a different brand if it is that labor intensive! It shouldn’t be. For the time being maybe try smoothing it with a straight edge. Sorry I can’t be more helpful! I know that is frustrating.

      Reply
  18. Ellen from Ask Away says

    July 30, 2015 at 10:42 am

    This is brilliant! we have in wall storage in our new house in the office and I think im gonna do that to the shelves!
    XO Ellen from Ask Away
    http://www.askawayblog.com

    Reply

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