We’re constantly changing out our space to keep things fresh. Our IKEA bookshelf was one of the first things we bought when moving into our apartment over 8 years ago. We’re making some changes in our living room and thought about swapping it out for something new, but it’s actually really functional and sturdy so we decided to keep it and just give it a fresh facelift. 

Bookshelf by dendrew43

In this post we’re going to share how we wrapped our shelves with contact paper and the backing with fabric, giving our old bookshelf a whole new look!

Materials:

• Bookshelf

• Contact Paper (we used two rolls for six shelves)

• Fabric (we used two yards)

• Scissors or Craft Knife

• Packaging Tape

HOW TO: Shelves 

We originally thought of painting each shelf, but then figured that would take too long (also it’s hard to do big painting projects inside our small apartment). So we came up with wrapping each shelf with contact paper and we really love the outcome.

Step One: Remove shelves

Remove everything from your bookshelf, take off each shelf and wipe down with a slightly damp cloth or mild cleaning solution. Might as well wipe the whole thing down, while you’re at it. Why not!?

Step Two: Cut contact paper to size

Lay your first shelf on the floor and roll out a piece of contact paper horizontally. Cut to size leaving a little overhang on each side. Our contact paper wasn’t wide enough to cover the top and bottom of the shelf so we needed to use about a piece and a half for each shelf. 

Step Three: Peel away contact paper backing

Contact paper is finicky, if it creases or folds, it’s going to show. Remove the backing in small sections, peel away a little bit at a time as you work.

Step Four: Line up and press down

Line up the contact paper to the back edge of the shelf. Work slowly and smooth down in sections to get rid of any bubbles. Keep peeling backing as you work. Once you’re done with your first piece repeat with the second if needed. 

Step Five: Cut edges

Trim off the overhanging edges from the sides of your shelves with a pair of scissors or a craft knife.

HOW TO: Backing

This is an oldie for us, we have been doing this since we first got this shelf, it’s actually one of our first blog posts. If your backing pops off of your bookshelf why not wrap it with some fabric? We change ours our seasonally and it always creates a big impact. Our backing was left over from Christmas, it totally could have worked, but we just wanted a subtle change so we used left over fabric that we got for $1 a yard. If you don’t have fabric, cute bed sheets or curtains would totally work! Check out our Christmas bookshelf here!

Step One: Remove backing

Take off the backing and remove any nails or staples.

Our bookshelf is solid wood, except for the backing, it’s cheap pressed chip board. We can’t remember how it was initially on, but for years we’ve been stapling it to the back with and it does just fine with us doing this over and over to it.

Step Two: Lay things out

Lay the piece of fabric on the ground with the side you want shown facing the floor. Center and lay the backing on top of it.

Step Two: Wrap and tape

Wrap the overhanging fabric on the back of the backing. Start on one side and pull the fabric taut and tape down using packing tape. Repeat this same step on the side across from the one you started with. Continue until all 4 sides are taped. Tip: Do not over stretch fabric, but check to make sure your fabric isn’t droopy. (No one wants droopy fabric!)

Step Three: Staple

Line up the backing to the bookshelf and staple into the back. This step might depend on your bookshelf.

Put the shelves back in and stage!

It’s feels good to look at something a little different! Feels nice and fresh!