Restyling the Back of a Bookshelf

I should have titled this post “Restyling the Back of the Bookshelf—Again!” This particular bookshelf has gone through several transitions since my father made it for me when I was a teenager. (Yep, a long time ago.)

Here is what the original bookshelf looked like for more than twenty years. It was very well made, but the plywood chipboard backing has always been a little bit of an eyesore. I had lots of books, though, so you could never really see the back.

Over the years, it has been in various locations in different houses. It has been in the kid’s rooms for books and toys, back to my bedroom for books, and for the last several years, it has sat in the kitchen table nook of our house. Here is where it has seen the most transformations.

First, I painted it and re-stained the top in a dark finish. Then I added a faux back to it using poster board paper and wallpaper.

This bookshelf’s look certainly had a more farmhouse feel, with its light yellow strips. I really liked it at the time.

That look has lasted a couple of years now, but the poster board has come loose from the back of the shelf and gotten a little tired and boring. In fact, you can tell from the photos that this bookshelf has become a dumping ground for various things, including the paint supplies for our current renovation project in the adjacent family room.

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Restyling the Back of a Bookshelf

For this project, you will need:

• Foam Core Boards
• Modge Podge
• Fabric of your choice
• Scissors
• X-ACTO Knife or razor blade

This time, I wanted a more colorful and vibrant look for the shelf.

After a few weeks of mulling over the possibilities of paint, wallpaper, or fabric, I came across a bright fabric remnant at Walmart for only $3.23 that was the perfect blend of blues and greens to make the decor in the living room and kitchen.  Score!

I still didn’t want to permanently attach anything to the back of the shelf and poster board isn’t a great option because it is too flimsy.  Removing the back of the shelf is NOT an option  – did I happen to mention it was very well made?  This time I decided to use foam core boards instead.

Since I already had the perfect templates for the sizes I needed from the previous backing so it was just a matter of measuring them on to the foam core boards and cutting them out using the Exto Knife.  I did need longer lengths so I first had to tape two pieces together and then measure out the lengths.

To cover the foam core in the fabric, I laid the boards on the fabric, making sure to match up the patterns as best as possible, and then cut out the lengths of fabric. To attach the fabric, I used Modge Podge as sort of a glue and folded in the edges on the back of the board, much like a present. It is very easy to remove the fabric in the future and reuse the boards.

This was a straightforward project, and it certainly packs a punch on the new look of the shelf.

So much better…

“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the person who seeks him.”

Lamentations 3:25

More posts to visit and enjoy:

How To Style A Bookcase – 5 Different Ways

Easy Fabric Covered Cushion