What should i do with this bookshelf?

Kari
by Kari

It is is a small bedroom, not being used... I would like to repurpose it....or turn it into something else either in the bedroom or in another part of the house....??

  24 answers
  • Nicki Petruzzella Kerns Nicki Petruzzella Kerns on Mar 25, 2020

    Would it fit in your kitchen or dining room? Would be cute if the back were covered in wallpaper or painted with stencils, then you could fill it with goodies/knick-knacks from your kitchen or dining room. I'm envisioning a collection of teapots or teacups, soup tureens, even pretty plates on easels.

  • Janice Janice on Mar 25, 2020

    Those shelves would be great in a craft room to keep all tools and supplies organized in baskets, bins, etc.

  • Marjory A Gray Marjory A Gray on Mar 25, 2020

    first thing you need to do is cut wood sections that measure the width and height at the center or if really long, 3/4 from each side and insert , use wood glue and or screws, I would use both to make sure it is sturdy enough and longer lasting this will prevent sagging shelves. then decorate to match your area, you can use paint, wallpaper and or decals painted or attached


  • William William on Mar 25, 2020

    Could be used for shoe storage. Toy storage in a child's room. Collectible storage in a living or rec room

  • Mogie Mogie on Mar 25, 2020

    Whatever room you use this in it will add a lot of storage. So think about which room needs a boost of extra storage. I could see this as much needed storage in a laundry room (if there is enough room), arts and craft room, or a wonderful addition to a child's room. Just think of all the "kid" stuff this could hold and organize!

  • Annie Annie on Mar 25, 2020

    How wide is the bookshelf? It looks like that one shelf is bowed, maybe from having too much weight on it?


  • That is a great piece. I would paint it, add fabric or wallpaper to the back then add doors with fabric or chicken wire to the front to turn it into a cabinet. So simple to do...frame out doors with thin wooden slats, staple fabric or wire to inside add hinges.

  • Annie Annie on Mar 25, 2020

    You could sure use it to hold craft supplies, or gift wrapping supplies. Anything that is lightweight; it looks like it is quite a wide shelf with no center support

  • Lauren of Mom Home Guide Lauren of Mom Home Guide on Mar 25, 2020

    I would paint it. Chalk paint would be easy to use. You could then add large pretty baskets for extra storage. You could store clothes in it, or use it to store towels and sheets, crafts, etc Good luck!

  • Mary v Mary v on Mar 25, 2020

    a shoe shelf! if you have room in a garage hallway, laundry room,or garage? (depending on your locale) it would be great painted, too.


  • Ken Erickson Ken Erickson on Mar 25, 2020

    dONATE IT TO hABITAT OR gOODWILL

  • Robyn Garner Robyn Garner on Mar 25, 2020

    Shelves are always great to have so walk around your house to see where they may be needed. I would take off the old-fashioned scallops at the top and replace it with a flat board or other trim. Chalk paint for an easier project - you can DIY chalk paint using Plaster of Paris ($4) and any latex paint color you want. Recipes are online.


    Once you decide where you need shelves, choose your paint color and decide what you want as the style - do you want farmhouse doors w/ chicken wire or just clean shelves with baskets, etc.? Any bowed shelves can easily have an "L" bracket screwed in underneath for support.

  • Morgan McBride Morgan McBride on Mar 25, 2020

    You could add contact paper to the back and paint the shelves!

  • Peggy L Burnette Peggy L Burnette on Mar 25, 2020

    Hi Kari, you could add paint or wall paper on the back side of the shelves or add some baskets to keep your things in. Stay well.

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Mar 25, 2020

    Paint them you could stencil fake books or paint them it would look cute

  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Mar 26, 2020

    That's a great book shelf. You could use it to display a collection you have or it would be a great shelf for craft supplies. Here are some great bookshelf ideas:


    https://www.hometalk.com/search/all?filter=Bookshelves

  • Vanessa Godin Sr. Vanessa Godin Sr. on Mar 26, 2020

    This room with this shelf would make a wonderful walk in pantry. Your canning jars and equipment could be stored in here as well as your dehydrator etc. Food you buy in bulk could be stored in the room as well. What a wonderful pantry it could be. full of spices, grains, canned food and root vegetables. Just emember to cover the window with semi opaque curtains and close the furnace vent once in a while to keep it cool. Please show us your finished room when you decide.

  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Mar 26, 2020

    I would move it to the garage for storage there or else even use it as a shelf for items you buy in bulk like paper towels, bottled water, etc.

  • Libbie B Libbie B on Mar 26, 2020

    Paint it. Maybe put some wallpaper on the back so that it's visually interesting.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Mar 27, 2020

    How deep are the shelves? From the picture, they look quite shallow, which leads me to think that the unit may not be suitable for item storage such as paper towels. Also, the top shelf is definitely warped. It may not be very stable for storing heavy panty items such as cans and jars.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Mar 27, 2020

    How about putting casters on the bottom and then using it as an under-the-bed storage unit?

    Here are a couple of other ideas, from the link below:

    https://www.diyncrafts.com/28172/repurpose/30-genius-ideas-repurposing-old-bookcases-exciting-new-things

  • Lindsay Aratari Lindsay Aratari on Mar 29, 2020

    Could you use it for a book shelf somewhere?

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Mar 31, 2020

    I would for sure change its color and use to display plates , mugs ..What room is it in :)


  • Kari Kari on Apr 16, 2020

    Wow!! It means a lot that you all took time to reply to me with such great ideas!! This shelf is in a bedroom at the moment. Once I decide what to actually do with it, I will let everyone know!