Making a bookcase look good

Using these easy steps, learn how to style a bookshelf. Make a giant pile that inspires your spouse to think you might have lost it. Give bathroom shelves an organized look by grouping together likecolored. Mod decor shelves call for a sparse look, so group together a small set of. I have a lovely bookcase with some shelves devoted to books, some with pictures or ornaments, but only because i built the shelves big enough for growth. I love the idea of turning old bookshelves into new things and if you have an old bookcase that is a bit worse for wear, you can restore it yourself before you repurpose it. Before you paint the paneling, give these ideas a try first. Organize your books in a stylish manner and your bookcase becomes an asset to your room. Then, you can turn that wooden bookshelf into something amazing and it will look as good as new. Print one of these free bookshelf plans and youll have everything you need to get started building a bookcase for any room in your house. But if the hefty price tag has turned you away in the past, consider following just a girl blogger chris careys guide to faux builtins that look just like the real deal.

It doesnt require a master carpenter, a workshop full of tools, and thousands of dollars to add builtin bookcases to your home. Keep a clean look by choosing a onecolor or toneontone scheme for vases and figurines, and make sure to mix up shapes. Custom builtin bookcases look fantastic, but its very expensive to hire a carpenter to build them. Jul 23, 2014 it really all comes down to making it look a way thats visually pleasing to you. Lets say you wanted a solid oak bookcase but didnt have the four to six hundred bucks a retail store would want for one. Luckily, there are other options for creating builtin bookcases. Apr 12, 2016 the big problem with most cinder block shelves is that the ugly side of the concrete blocks faces outwards. Howto make a laminate bookcase look like a builtin.

So, one doesnt need to walk to a bookshelf situated in some area of the house, to grab a book, but can sit on this bench and pull one out from the lower section. Small objects placed in front of the books at visual interest. Just take a look at this easy way to refinish wooden furniture. Heres a collection of 141 diy bookshelfbookcase plans and ideas that are look good and easy to build. The ornaments and gaps look fussier to me than a shelf filled up properly with books. Jan 15, 2016 10 wooden bookcases to house your evergrowing library.

Here are 25 diy bookcase makeovers you need to see. If you are new to woodworking, a bookcase is one of the best things you can build. How to make an ikea bookcase look like a professional builtin. Tips how to style a bookshelf 5 easy steps youtube. Though less dramatic, small and mediumscale patterns also look good.

Here are 25 diy bookcase makeovers you have to see. But after i invested so much time building this wrecked thing work of beauty, i was not going to mess it up by just haphazardly plunking some books back in. Heres a collection of 141 diy bookshelf bookcase plans and ideas that are look good and easy to build. How to make wood paneling look modern without painting it. First of all, it is relatively easy to put together. May 27, 2016 this video shows you how to make ikea billy bookcases look just like professional built in bookshelves. Here comes the good part adding moulding to the bookcase. How to make your bookcase look amazing styling bookshelves. Jul 17, 2017 bookcases can be built out of any sturdy material, but many people choose wood for its aesthetic appeal, compatibility with various decors and durability. These 15 things are still making your home look cluttered so you have gotten rid of the duplicate coffee mugs, the outdated clothes, and the expired makeup. Attractive bookcases can be prohibitively expensive, but if you are a voracious reader you need someplace to store all your books.

Stepbystep tips and ideas for styling a bookcase and how to avoid the over cluttered look. The panelling here is a really good bespoke reproduction, but plain ikea billy bookshelves fitted with new reeded uprights the vertical woodwork and georgian style architraves can look as good. Erin and i shopped jills house for anything that might look pretty tucked inside the. How to build a simple bookcase diy project cut the wood. This diy builtin billy bookcase project gave me an affordable way to create a customcabinetry feel for our home library. Making a straight cut along an entire 8foot sheet with a circular saw is. I thought it would be best to go from the bottom up, so the mister and i started with installing the base moulding first. A multitiered assemblage of wooden planks laid across stacks of bricks, it was reminiscent of pieces from the early flintstone periodand i was proud. Youll discover project plans and building tips to maximize your bookcases storing capacity. Cut that measurement, making sure both cuts are parallel. Love this how to make a billy bookcase look expensive.

It covers up the useless space left under the shelf and gives the bookcase a more finished look. Jun 10, 2015 thus the creation of how i made this laminate bookcase look like a custom builtin bookshelf times 2. Lay them on their sides, however, and the look improves greatly. When color coding, how can you still make it look good if you have books of different heights.

You do not need to take complicated measurements or make difficult cuts unless you are making an exceptionally ornate bookcase, of course. I had seen many an ikea billy bookcase hack out in the blogosphere, so i knew how good those composite and laminate shelves could look after a little dressing up. Jul 17, 2017 classic details like builtin bookcases can add an abundance of character to home, making a boring boxy house look like a 19thcentury charmer. It had a few holes and just wasnt going to look good with the vision i had in mind for this bookcase. Ordinary items collected in glass jars make an arresting stilllife. Howto make a laminate bookcase look like a builtin bookshelf. Custom bookcases can give your living room a sense of style, while adding tons of additional storage space. Cut a track into the end of the shelf by making cuts straight across the shelf in 18 increments until the track is as wide as the thickness of the plywood sides. Find inspiration for your own shelves and bookcases in these great photos.

Dec 14, 2017 motherdaughter duo mina starsiak and karen e. However, by adding inexpensive molding and anchoring the bookcases to the wall, you can achieve a high. Reply just a little flashmob surprise makeover reveal. We have fun with woodworking no matter what the project is, but the most rewarding thing for us is making our own furniture. Soon enough, your bookcase will be just as stylish as you are. How to make a billy bookcase look expensive ikea hackers. Use wood glue and nails to attach the finish framing to the bookcase image 1. These bookcase doors from woodfold manufacturing are perfect for disguising the secret entrance. Cut the poplar to the same dimensions as the exterior panels using the miter saw. Cheap bookcases available at the box stores look just that.

Rope is an excellent allpurpose craft materialit can be used in making stair. I read fiction and i love the cover designs, they make my shelves look beautiful. How to make prefab bookcases look like builtins rachel pereira pin. Fully loaded, a bookshelf will need to support 20 25 pounds per linear foot. Jun 12, 2008 i built my first bookcase in middle school. Hardwood, softwood, plywood and composite wood all make good bookcase materials, and each has both benefits and drawbacks. This shelf works because the books are placed at different orientations. Its me, karen, of the inspiration bookcase, by the way. The project that had a steep learning curve for me, and made me overcome some pretty serious fears. The gorgeous cherry finish of this bookcase gives it a traditional look, perfect for the stately study.

How to give cheap bookcases an expensive look sapling. I gave an ordinary ikea billy bookcase a builtin, custom made look. Does that bookcase you found at the flea market look bad. Interior design common interior design mistakes youre making and how to fix. Measure the width of your room and the height of the ceiling. Classic details like builtin bookcases can add an abundance of character to home, making a boring boxy house look like a 19thcentury charmer. Learn how to use inexpensive materials like birch plywood and standard trim to build a classic, builtin wooden bookcase. Here are some tips and some inspiration photos to make your bookshelf as stylish as they are useful and as usual let me know if ive left anything off the list. Its low level design can be dually used as a bookcase as well as a bench. Well that whole project started with my determination to make an old ikea bookcase look good. Boldcolor accessories and picture frames make great bookends and help the decor.

Making progress, yes its kind of messy but if you wrap a plastic trash bag around the project with your citristrip stripper is usually pulls most of the paint off without having to scrape. I had seen many an ikea billy bookcase hack out in the blogosphere, so i knew how good those composite and laminate shelves could look after a. I am here to tell you that that day has finally come, the day that i show you that big project i have been hinting about for months now. These 5 tips will help you make a beautiful looking bookcase in a snap. How to make your bookshelves beautiful british vogue. Cut a track into the end of the shelf by making cuts straight across the shelf in 18 increments until the track is. The georgians knew a thing or two about bookshelf design, and theres some elements from this library in an eighteenthcentury house in bath that can be copied. Tips how to style a bookshelf 5 easy steps whatsupmoms. For the tops of my expedit and china cabinet, i let the following pictures inspire me. In this video i share with you some secrets to making an ikea bookcase look more expensive. Feb 09, 2020 in this case, creating rabbet joints will allow the top of the bookcase to sit squarely and securely on the two sides.

The angles should be joined with 45degree angle cuts for a smooth, tailored look. Looking for bookshelf ideas for that flea market or thrift store find. For pictureperfect bookcase decorating, resist the urge to pack in accessories on every shelf. The plans include diagrams, photos, stepbystep instructions, and sometimes even videos to help you along the way. How about building a secret room hidden behind a door thats masquerading as a bookcasejust like in the movies. Aug 01, 2017 i love the idea of turning old bookshelves into new things and if you have an old bookcase that is a bit worse for wear, you can restore it yourself before you repurpose it. And i think my billy builtin bookcase project was kind of a success. Placed beside the bed, it does double duty as both a bookshelf and an alternative nightstand.

How to make prefab bookcases look like builtins ehow. A trisectional bookshelf, with sufficient space to house books or can be used for storage too. Every so often, step back to assess the overall balance of your arrangement. Finding creative ways to display books can be just as. This article will cover the most basic shelving as well as offer simple and inexpensive ways to. Diy a home library by ordering your books by genre. How to style a bookshelf when you have a lot of books sarah.

They often look cheap and chintzy, but it doesnt have to be that way. Heres how to decorate bookshelves to make them look their best. In fact, you can even load up the shelves with 500 lbs. There are ways to make bookshelves with majority books look a little more curated and i can show you how. It doesnt require a master carpenter, a workshop full of tools, and thousands of dollars to add builtin. For the front of the bookcase, the left side of the new crown molding butts up to the.

A bookcase doesnt have to be sparse to look stylish. Fill a nook and display tomes and tchotchkes with easytoassemble builtins. I have a lovely bookcase with some shelves devoted to books, some with pictures or ornaments, but only because i. Simply screwing it to wall studs is one good solution. How to build a builtin bookcase the family handyman. Laine from hgtvs good bones are here and mina has an ingenious tip for making an inexpensive bookcase look just like a fancy builtin bookshelf. Carpenters fees to create builtin bookshelves can really break the bank. Jan 23, 2018 a trisectional bookshelf, with sufficient space to house books or can be used for storage too. This video shows you how to make ikea billy bookcases look just like professional built in bookshelves. Placed beside the bed, it does double duty as both a bookshelf.

These shelves were created from wine crates nailed into the wall. Im forewarning you this is a long tutorial not difficult, just lengthy, but if youve ever dreamt of having custom builtins for your office, living room, or bedroom, then itll be worth reading from start to finish. In this case, creating rabbet joints will allow the top of the bookcase to sit squarely and securely on the two sides. These easy and clever bookshelves look so much cooler than anything you can buy from a store. I have boxes of books and this bookcase will work perfectly. Keep reading to find out how to make wood paneling look modern without painting it. In order to make your selfassembled bookcase look like a fancy builtin, place it in the corner of the room and add.

Not to be captain obvious, but i am all for making your home look good, especially considering this is primarily a home decorating blog. Once the initial cut is made, measure from the bottom of the crown molding, the same distance as the short side of the bookcase. Here are some tips and some inspiration photos to make your bookshelf as stylish as they are useful. Oct 18, 2010 well that whole project started with my determination to make an old ikea bookcase look good. I framed a piece of my daughters art with scrap paper. All plans include diagrams, photos, and directions. Aug 04, 2016 before you paint the paneling, give these ideas a try first. Prefabricated bookcases are a more affordable option, but they often look temporary and cheap. All you need for this project are a few easytoobtain items and one tool. Sep 14, 2014 37 cheap and easy ways to make your ikea stuff look expensive. Always wanted to make some nice bookcases for your basement or bonus room, but dont want to spend a fortune. To see that it can be done in an apartment without an involved workbenchshopetc is inspirational as well as the details about the latice wood.

The bifoldstyle doors look like a typical bookcase when theyre closed. How to make an ikea bookcase look like a professional. Consider painting or adding wallpaper to the backs of shelves to add depth as well as a pop. The rough holes in their centers will always look rough and cheap. So, i thought i would share with you the best advice and examples i found in my research for this dilemma. Think about adding a mirror to create depth and enjoy the added benefit of making your other pieces glow. The free bookcase plans include a wide variety of bookcase styles and sizes so be sure to look through them all to find the best one for the space you have. I like it because if i want a tv on one of the shelves later on alls i have to do is remove a shelf.