Upcycle a Bookshelf using Peel and Stick Wallpaper. This is a great and easy way to refresh any piece of furniture and is super budget friendly as well.
Have you tried experimenting with Peel And Stick Wallpaper?
I think it is such a great invention especially for people who love to change their decor (like me) and for people living in rentals as you can easily take off the wallpaper without damaging anything.
I personally love it and have used Peel and Stick Wallpaper multiple times.
You can check out my Dining Room Makeover and DIY Headboard with Wallpaper post for more inspiration.
Now on to today’s project where I used the gorgeous Peel and Stick Wallpaper to transform a Bookshelf which was almost in shambles.
More Creative Ways to Use Removable Wallpaper
Literally the backside of the bookshelf had come off and I was debating if I should keep this bookshelf or just throw it away.
This is how it looked Before
MATERIALS NEEDED
Paintbrushes
I basically used this bookshelf to store all my crafty supplies so it ended up getting a lot of paint stains.
I honestly never had any intention of keeping this bookshelf permanently hence I never cleaning up the stains.
I mean just look at it, it’s literally about to fall apart any minute.
And this is how it looked from Behind.
As I mentioned the back of the bookshelf had come off and it needed to be reattached which could easily have been done with some nails and a hammer.
But I just never fixed it until I decided to give it a transformation.
Tutorial for Updating Bookshelf with Peel and Stick Wallpaper
I stumbled upon Timothy Sue’s website which is where I found these absolutely amazing Removable Wallpaper.
I ordered two colors of the same print which you can see down below.
And since I had this plan in mind that I wanted to use the same pattern but in a contrasting color, I chose the exact same design but in a purple version.
How stunning are these Peel and Stick Wallpapers!
They literally are speaking my colorful and bright language that I love to incorporate in all my furniture pieces.
Step 1
Moving on to the makeover process.
I decided to paint some areas of the Bookshelf more specifically the outer edges/rim in a Turquoise color which complimented the two Wallpaper prints.
The outside part of the Bookshelf I painted a Dark Navy Blue which you can see down below how much of a deep blue color I chose.
I removed the shelvings so that I could paint those as well.
I had to apply two coats of the paint for both the colors and let it dry before I moved on.
Step 2
Placing the wallpaper was a really simple process since the surface area to be covered was relatively small, unlike a wall that needs much more work and accuracy put into it.
I did measure the length so I could cut the exact size from the Wallpaper.
To apply the Wallpaper just peel the backing slightly and press down the wallpaper, keep doing it until the whole area is completely covered.
I applied the Wallpaper on the shelves as well as the outside of the bookshelf.
You might have noticed that in the final picture the placement of the Wallpaper is very different and that is because I LOVED to change things around and since I knew I could just peel and stick the wallpaper again, it wouldn’t be such a problem.
Step 3
So for the backside of the actual bookshelf which was literally detached.
I used a couple of nails and a hammer and went all around and just so I knew this would stay in place I applied a layer of Gorilla Glue before I hammered in the nails.
Super easy process.
Step 4
Honestly, I could have left it at that but I really wanted to add a modern flair to this piece.
This is why I decided to use these stunning Copper-colored Hairpin Legs.
I’ve been wanting to use this certain style of legs on one of my DIY projects for quite some time now and this bookshelf was just the perfect piece for it.
I flipped the bookshelf and placed the legs roughly to make marks with a pen of where I was going to drill the holes.
You could just directly screw it down but I prefer this method to drill some holes before and then to place the screws into it.
The whole process was really simple but made such a huge impact to the entire look.
After using these legs on this bookshelf since then I have used Hairpin Legs on my Coffee Table as well as Nightstands.
And there you have it.
All Done.
Time for some beauty shots!
Debby says
What a cute transformation. Love those hairpin legs:) Thank you
Anam says
Thankyou! I’m glad you liked it 🙂
Wanda Justus says
Love the colors you chose. Hairpin legs are a great touch too. The wallpaper is fantastic also. I have a bookcase I would love to try. Moving so will have to put on hold a couple of months. Great job!!!
Colc says
Love this idea!
Sue says
I see these inexpensive bookcases broken and/or dirty at the curb all the time around town often made of particle board but sometimes solid wood. People pass them by because they don’t have ideas of their own to salvage them like this beautiful bookcase you did here. NOW it’s a showpiece and something targeted for the landfill has been recycled, one of my favorite words!! I wasn’t aware the hairpin legs were available and remember these from the old late 1950s when stands with these legs were sued for portable tv sets. These a beautiful with the copper color. I have an inexpensive brand new in box bookcase that I haven’t put together yet, but now I am rethinking how I will do it. Definitely will paint it first then think about the papering on the back. This will be to display my vintage doll collection so I am thinking more of a dolly theme. Thank you for sharing this great idea with us!!
Maryp says
Very good ideas. I have several of these around my house..very concerned over how tippy they may be. I attach to wall.