Creating Me: A bookshelf redo

I have been slowly working at getting my new room into shape and one of my most important projects so far has been to redo my bookshelves. This meant I could get my boxes of books out of my closet so I could use my closet for closet things. Luckily my parents had two bookshelves they were glad to give me. But, me being me, I could not have them look just anyway. So, I did a little bit more than a paint job.

Achieving this look is very simple, but it does take a few days.

What you need:

A bookshelf or more than one

2 shades of paint

Paint brushes and whatever personal tools you need (drop cloth, painters tape, etc.)

Cool paper (wallpaper is an option, but I already had some cool scrap book paper)

Modpodge

Scissors

Ruler

Sandpaper

Step 1: Paint

The first step is really basic: paint the bookshelf. When deciding which color to paint where, consider the purpose of the shelves, if it is for display mainly put the darker in the back and use the lighter as the primary color, but if it is for books, which will take up more space, use the lighter in the back because it will show up more than the dark.

(I have lots of books)

I started with the back, but realistically you could paint either first.

Step 2: Paper topping

This was actually not something that I planned to do, but I am happy with how it turned out. After measuring the top, I cut the my paper to 4x4 pieces (you can change the size based on your preferances) and placed them on the top and messed around with the patterns until I liked the way it looked. Then, I glued them down.

Step 3: Kinda continuation of step 2

When I was picking out my papers I found some beautiful small designs that were stand alone that I really liked, so I cut them free and placed them randomly on the shelves and then glued them down again.

Step 4: Sanding

Even though I liked the look of my shelves as they were I wanted a little more of a rustic look to my bookshelves. So, I used the standard antiquing technic of sanding. I strategically sanded to make the shelves a little more my aesthetic.