How To Make Cheap Bookshelves Look Built In

3 min read 21-11-2024

How To Make Cheap Bookshelves Look Built In

Meta Description: Transform inexpensive bookshelves into stunning built-ins! This guide offers simple, budget-friendly DIY solutions to upgrade your storage and elevate your home's style. Learn how to seamlessly integrate your bookshelves, creating a custom, high-end look without the hefty price tag. Discover painting techniques, molding tricks, and clever organization tips to achieve that luxurious, built-in aesthetic.

Introduction: Budget-Friendly Built-Ins

Want the look of custom, built-in bookshelves without the designer price tag? You can achieve that high-end, sophisticated aesthetic with a little DIY magic. This guide will show you how to transform inexpensive, store-bought bookshelves into stunning built-ins. We'll cover simple, affordable techniques to seamlessly integrate your shelves, adding value and style to your home.

Choosing the Right Bookshelves

The success of this project hinges on selecting the right base. Look for:

Simple Design: Avoid ornate or overly decorative shelves. Clean lines are easier to integrate.
Matching Units: Buy multiple identical units for a cohesive look. This is particularly important for longer runs of shelving.
Height Considerations: Measure your space carefully. You may need to adjust the height of the units for a seamless fit. Consider adding baseboards for more of a built in look.
Material: Melamine or particleboard shelves are usually the cheapest, but MDF (medium-density fiberboard) is more durable and better suited to painting.

Painting for a Seamless Look

Painting is key to transforming your bookshelves into built-ins.

Selecting the Right Paint

Use a high-quality interior paint in a color that complements your room. Consider these options:

Semi-gloss: Durable and easy to clean, ideal for high-traffic areas.
Eggshell: A softer sheen that hides imperfections better. Consider a satin if you want something in between.

Prepping the Shelves

Before painting:

Clean: Wipe down the shelves with a damp cloth to remove dust and debris.
Prime: Apply a primer, especially if using a dark color over a lighter one. Primer ensures even color and prevents bleed-through.
Sand: Lightly sand between coats for a smoother finish.

Painting the Shelves

Apply thin, even coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry completely before applying the next. Consider painting the insides of the shelves too!

Adding Molding for a Professional Finish

Molding is a secret weapon for creating the illusion of built-ins. Attaching crown molding and baseboards to the top and bottom of the bookshelves instantly elevates their appearance.

Types of Molding

Crown Molding: Adds a decorative touch to the top of the shelves, making them appear more integrated.
Baseboard Molding: Matches the existing baseboards in your room, creating a unified look. This adds to the feeling that it is built in.

Attaching Molding

Use wood glue and finishing nails to secure the molding. Caulk the seams for a seamless, professional look. This is also a great way to hide the gaps between shelves.

Clever Organization and Styling

Once your bookshelves are painted and molded, it's time to style them.

Uniformity

Consider using uniform containers, baskets, and bookends to keep the look consistent and prevent a cluttered appearance. This creates a more polished, high-end style.

Color Coordination

Coordinate the colors of your books and accessories to create a cohesive and visually appealing display. This helps to visually tie the shelves into the room.

Final Touches

Lighting: Add lighting inside the shelves to highlight your books and accessories. This adds a professional and more impressive look.
Wallpaper: Consider adding wallpaper to the back of the shelves for a pop of color or texture.
Back Panel: For a more truly built-in feel, consider adding a matching back panel to cover any exposed walls.

Conclusion: Your Stunning, Budget-Friendly Built-Ins

With a little creativity and effort, you can transform inexpensive bookshelves into beautiful, custom-looking built-ins. By following these simple steps, you can dramatically enhance your home's style and functionality without breaking the bank. Remember to select the right shelves, paint them carefully, add molding for a professional finish, and style them thoughtfully. Now go create your stunning, budget-friendly built-ins!