DIY Home Decor Idea: Looking for a quick and easy way to give your standard bookcase a stylish update? See the tutorial for this clever DIY Bookshelf Makeover with Fabric!
Do you have a standard white or brown bookshelf at home? Looking for a simple, quick and easy way to dress it up and give it a stylish update? Here’s a no-sew trick using fabric to line the back of your shelving unit to make it unique and fun! In one afternoon or evening you can turn your bookcase, storage unit or armoire into a stunner and update your room all at once!
I gave you a sneak peek of my DIY fabric lined Target bookshelf in my Living Room Makeover post; here’s the tutorial so you can DIY your own cabinet or bookcase!
DIY Fabric Lined Bookshelf Makeover
I’ve had this simple, inexpensive Target bookcase for about 4 years, it’s survived two teens and one 700 mile military family move and is still in great condition! I love it’s size, the tapered legs and molding on the top edge…and it’s been really useful for living room storage as our family bookcase organizer. But, I was growing tired of the dark brown color:
When I found this gorgeous white and grey fabric I knew I could give this little ‘bookcase that could‘ a quick face lift to tie into the DIY pillows and add some pattern to our living room at the same time.
I love taking furniture and decor pieces from ordinary to ooh-la-la with high end, custom DIY treatments! It’s the subtle addition of layers of texture, color and pattern that makes a room feel cozy and interesting….and it doesn’t have to break the bank!
This is one way to do it without a huge investment of money and time – and who doesn’t love that???
Supplies:
-
- 2 pieces of poster board
- fabric
- Measuring tape
- Clear Tape
- scissors
- Double Sided Tape
Tutorial:
1. Remove shelves from bookcase.
2. Measure the back of the bookcase’s length and width.
3. Cut poster board to size for width. I had to cut a second piece of poster board to add to the first piece to get the length I wanted. Tape the two pieces together with clear tape.
4. Lay posterboard onto wrong side of fabric and cut fabric 1.5 inches bigger than poster board.
Heather Luckhurst is the publisher and owner of the Design and Lifestyle website 
Kathleen says
July 17, 2014 at 8:24 amHeather,
Your bookcase looks wonderful! Love your choice of fabric.
heather says
July 17, 2014 at 6:02 pmThanks so much Kathleen (that’s my middle name by the way!) I totally agree – that IKEA Britten Nummer fabric is a stand-out!
Sue Farmer says
July 18, 2014 at 7:28 amI am going to steal your idea!! Love it. I think the blue would look great.
Sharon Hines says
July 21, 2014 at 2:05 amcute, cute fabric! And love the way it added new life to the bookshelf.
heather says
July 21, 2014 at 8:19 amThanks Sharon – it really makes a big impact! I love how I can remove it and add different fabric too!
margo says
July 21, 2014 at 8:32 amAbsolutely so gorgeous, and what an easy idea!
heather says
July 21, 2014 at 9:07 amThanks Margo!
Nibbles By Nic says
July 21, 2014 at 1:42 pmWow, you make it look so easy Heather!! Great tips 🙂 Thanks, Nic
Julie says
July 21, 2014 at 11:20 pmI love this idea, Heather! I might try it!!!
Meredith says
July 22, 2014 at 10:09 amOh so smart! I like the idea of using the poster board rather than the existing backerboard — which I tried to wrap once and failed 😉 i’m a sucker for grey; and it would look great with the fabric. BUT I agree that another colour would be a nice accent. How about grey for the frame and the whisper blue for the inside? Nice job Heather!
Heather @ new house new home says
July 22, 2014 at 10:51 amWhat a great solution! I have eight of these bookcases lining the walls of our office. This would definitely jazz them up!!
Cynthia Weber @ A Button Tufted Life... says
July 22, 2014 at 11:42 amIt is amazing what a change that brought… the whole piece has more character and charm now… and I love that you repeated the fabric on the pillow!
Paulina {silverwaterpearls} says
July 22, 2014 at 11:59 amSuch a lovely way to transform a book case!! Love the fabric!
Donna says
July 22, 2014 at 2:59 pmWhat a great idea Heather! I love that it’s so easy to change up if you want a new look. And depending on the size of the bookcase, remnants are a great option to get that to-die-for fabric into your space!!
heather says
July 22, 2014 at 4:04 pmExactly Donna!! Thanks for visiting!
Jill says
July 11, 2016 at 8:15 amWhat a cute idea! I love how it turned out! I think I could do this with some cubby shelves we have in our family room!
Jill
Doused In Pink
heather says
August 8, 2016 at 2:53 pmThat’s a great idea Jill! Thanks for visiting! 🙂
sherry says
July 13, 2016 at 9:22 amThis transformation is beautiful! I have a 3 shelf bookcase that I am going to try this on. I need to find fabric just like yours. I would love for you to link up at Totally Terrific Tuesday!