One Bookcase, Three Looks We started with one unremarkable bookcase, then reinvented it in three one-of-a-kind ways. Give your own bookshelf a facelift, or apply these easy techniques to other forgotten furniture in need of a refresh:
- Look One: Two-Tone Color
Transform a boring bookcase into dazzling decor: cover the entire case in one color, then accent the back panels with something different. Try a white bookcase with cheerful yellow panels, or a soft grey one with vibrant amethyst panels. Or do the same with tables (legs one color, tabletop another) and chairs (chair one color, cushions another). For a unified look, pull colors from your room's overall decor.
- Look Two: Paper Panels
Show off your love of the written word with book-inspired panels. Repurpose tattered, worn-out books, newspapers or sheet music to decoupage your bookcase. Layer pages from illustrated botany books and dictionaries, or add a playful touch to a child's room with a comic book or classic fairy tale-themed bookcase. Try the same technique with storage boxes, side tables or picture frames.
- Look Three: High Gloss Paint
Go bold and make a statement by coating your bookcase in high gloss paint. To cheer up any room, try a bright color like tropical teal, granny-smith green or cotton candy pink. For touch of glamour, choose a rich color like plum, cobalt or burgundy. And learn how to add a decidedly modern sheen to everything from architectural elements to small decor accents in our article Paint Trend: High Gloss.
Composition Tips Change the look and feel of a typical bookcase by arranging books and decorative items in unexpected ways:
- Add charm with natural elements, like containers of pretty little plants or vases of fresh cut flowers. For year-round, hassle-free beauty, create your own faux floral arrangement.
- Display some books upright and lay others on their sides to create height variation. Organize books by color for a rainbow effect, or turn the spine sides in for a simple, sleek look.
- Incorporate accent pieces-turn pottery, small statues, heirlooms and souvenirs into bookends or proudly display something you collect, whether it's vintage clocks or antique teapots.
- Use your bookcase to organize! The shelves offer lots of valuable space. Keep your spark journals and gardening scrapbook there, then add a set of colorful storage containers where you can house everything from photos to recipes.
- Show off your favorite photos, family silhouettes or handmade sun prints in fun frames. To create a cohesive look, paint or decoupage the frames to match your bookcase.
