Turn a plain IKEA bookshelf into a custom piece of furniture using paint and decals! A fun IKEA hack to personalize your decor using Wallternatives decals.
Wallternatives provided me with the decals for this post. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Hey, Let’s Make Stuff!
I’ve always had a lot of books. Living by myself in 1,450 square feet, including an office with built-in book shelves, did not help me curb my hoarding. But when we got married last August, I had to majorly cut back. We just didn’t have the room in Ryan’s 1,100 square foot house for my enormous library. And I have made it a point in my life not to have anything in storage except for seasonal items — I’m never going to read a book if it’s in the attic! And saving them for “someday” when we have a bigger house just isn’t an option when I’m trying to live more simply.
But even after cutting back, I had a lot of books. Until recently, many of them were in piles in our guest bedroom (the rest were on shelves in our office), but I decided I needed to get them off the bed and onto bookshelves.
I bought two Hemnes bookcases from IKEA, a large one and a small one — I used the larger version for this project. I like the Hemnes shelves because they are solid wood and have a little bit more of a classic feel than the Billy bookcases that are very popular. They cost a little more, but I think the higher price is worth it for a more classic design and better feel.
I assembled the bookcases, but before I added the back board on each, I gave it two coats of Martha Stewart Mariner paint (by Glidden, but sadly discontinued!)
I love the contrast of the gray-blue paint against the white of the shelves.
Then it was time to really make a statement. Wallternatives are vinyl decals that give you the look of stenciling without all the hassle — plus they are completely removable, making them perfect for rental homes or projects you’re sort of on the fence about (though once you use them, I can almost guarantee you’ll love them so much you’ll keep them!).
Now pay attention, because this is important: before I added the decals, I let the paint on the bookshelves cure. Paint drys pretty quickly, but it takes up to two weeks to cure. So if you’re painting, make sure to give yourself plenty of time to let the paint cure before adding the decals!
I chose the Summer Days Flower Vinyl Wall Decal out of their large selection of styles and colors. I was surprised how big the decal was — and that there were two! I ended up only using one of them for this project — I’ll save the other for another project.
I was a little nervous about applying it, but they have a very detailed application how-to page, so putting them up was fairly straightforward.
First I placed the decal on the floor and scraped it with a credit card (when you purchase Wallternatives, they come with a burnishing tool) to make sure it would stick to the transfer paper and the backing paper would remove cleanly.
The husbeast and I laid the bookshelf on the floor and I used painters tape to secure the decal to the shelf in the right position. Ryan was super helpful during this project, taking photos for me. Love that guy.
Using the tape as a hinge, I flipped the decal over and started removing the backing paper.
As I removed it, I started pressing the deal to the back of the bookcase. I was surprised at how easy the backing paper came away from the decal.
Then I used the card to burnish the decal onto the backing, so it would stick better.
Then we started peeling back the transfer paper. It was a little tough, because my surface wasn’t ideal — the flat paint had a slightly chalky texture — and this particular design has a ton of detailed bits.
BUT, we were able make it work — it just took a little elbow grease and patience. We found it was easier for both of us to peel back the paper, making sure all the intricate details were sticking properly. (Also, don’t do P90X before doing something like this — squatting down on the floor had my quads screaming!)
Soon the decal was adhered! (Pardon the damaged back board in the middle of the shelf — that’s where the middle shelf is screwed into the bookshelf — thankfully it’s hidden behind the shelf!)
We stood it back up, added the shelves, and I love, love, love how it turned out!
So fun, right? The blue with the flowers behind the books is so special and personalized compared to the original stock white bookcase.
These bookcases will remain in this room, which is our future nursery (someday, people, I’m not announcing anything). If we have a girl, the flowers will be beautiful. And should we have a boy, the decals are easy to remove, it won’t be a problem!
Stop on by Wallternatives to see all of their great new options (in twenty colors, including metallic gold and silver!), and share your favorite in the comments!
And if you want to see where I used the other half of this decal, check out my best friend’s guest room makeover!
Comments & Reviews
Albion says
Cori, this is awesome!! Your bookcase looks fantastic!
Cori George says
Thanks Abby! I’m happy with how it turned out :)
Meg says
Love it! Such a great way to personalize and change up a stock furniture piece (though I love the original by itself, too). We’re off to IKEA soon for some much-needed furniture for the new place . . . will have to look for the Hemnes!
Cori George says
The Hemnes line is my favorite, and it comes in a ton of things — beds, bookcases, outdoor furniture, etc!
Diane stanley says
That’s a brilliant idea and looks so good
Cori George says
Thanks Diane!
Amberly says
Oooo… I love this!!! :) We love the Hemnes stuff, and I’ve been looking at getting a couple of taller bookshelves for our new house. This is perfect for making it more than a bookshelf! :)
Cori George says
I love the Hemnes because it’s a great canvas to make it your own!
Cori George says
It’s so easy to make IKEA furniture look like custom furniture!
kelsey says
what a great idea! cant believe ive never thought of this!
Cori George says
It makes me want to use Wallternatives everywhere! lol
Lauren says
I dont know if it is just my browser, but the post looks really big! But I think you are super talented and this bookshelf rocks!
Cori George says
I like my photos big — maybe that’s it! And thanks! :)
jordan says
I love how easy!!
Cori George says
Not difficult at all!
Carly says
Oh my gosh, I love this!
Cori George says
Thank you Carly!
Myrabev says
Beautifully done x
Cori George says
Thanks!
Kyla says
This is AMAZING! Love how it turned out. What an easy and inexpensive way to make a piece of furniture more beautiful and personal in your home!! Thanks for sharing!
Cori George says
Thanks Kyla! I love how it turned out too :)
Rebekah says
Beautiful!! I love the chalkboards and pretty much every decorative graphic they have… my poor bank account!
Cori George says
The chalk boards are SO great — I agree!
Ashley says
Love it! We’re headed to IKEA next week and were planning on looking at furniture so this is perfect!
Cori George says
I love all the IKEA hacks out there! There’s no reason not to dress up your IKEA furniture :)
jessica says
I love this! I’ve been wanting to update a bookcase in my office. What a great idea!
Cori George says
Let me know if you do!
Wallternatives says
Our Summer Days Flower Vinyl Wall Decal looks so lovely on your bookcase! Great DIY project!
Cori George says
Thanks for letting me partner with you guys — great product!!
Ruthy T. (@DiscoveryStreet) says
well dang…this looks fantastic! And i love the name of your blog btw!
Cori George says
Thanks Ruthy! :)
Starr says
Fabulous! Love this!
StarrJoy16.blogspot.com
Cori George says
Thanks Starr!
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes says
Love what you did with the book case You have got to love IKEA for basics that you can personalise and jazz up;
Cori George says
I love being able to get inexpensive furniture and making it my own!
Kaysi @ Keeping it Simple says
OOOOOOOH I love how that turned out, so pretty!!
Cori George says
Thanks Kaysi! Me too!
Steph @ Crafting in the Rain says
Perfect addition to the bookcase!
Cori George says
Agreed Steph!
Deidre says
Such a great idea! Turned out lovely.
Cori George says
Thanks Deirdre! I think so too.
christine mondy says
Wow, what a great idea! I love that design too. I guess I will have to invest in some new bookshelves. :)
Cori George says
You can never have too many bookshelves!
Jillene@inkhappi says
Awesome Wallternatives project! This looks totally do-able. Love the look!
Cori George says
Thanks Jillene! I’ve seen so many great projects (including yours!)
cam | bibs and baubles says
Love that! It’s gorgeous! You have me looking at my bookshelf a bit differently now.It could definitely use a makeover!
Cori George says
It has me looking at ALL my furniture in a different light! lol
Tracey@LetsGoJunking says
Fantastic Job! Love the look. I understand how hard it is to part with any book – But your new book case will make you smile every time you see it.
Cori George says
Definitely. I parted with many…but many remain!
Laura says
okay, I love this!! I may have to be brave enough to try this because I hate boring book shelves!
Cori George says
It really was an easy update!
kristine foley says
Genius! It turned out so beautiful!
Cori George says
I agree Kristine!
Katie says
This is fantastic! I am totally inspired for when I purchase my next bookcase – which will be in about four months. Bring on the paint and the decals!
Cori George says
Bring it Katie!
Lilian says
Thanks for sharing this beautiful project. FYI, however, an infant will have no awareness of the decor of a nursery ( and really belongs next to its mother, not in a separate room ) and, most importantly, do you truly believe that if it did, flower decals would be offensive to the male child? The year is 2018.
Harmony says
Did you have to sand or treat the bookcase backing in any way before painting or use a particular paint? I love this idea but my husband is skeptical that the paint can just go right on to the back wall. Thank you!
Amy Motroni says
Hi there,
No treatment needed. These weren’t a paint, but rather a sticky backing you can add.
Hope that helps!
Amy, HLMS Support