How to upscale my plain bookshelf?

here is more info on your book shelf update

https://www.fromhousetohome.com/diy-bookshelf-makeovers/

What does it look like now? Can you upload a photo?

Paint or cover with nice contact paper or removable wallpaper.

Hello!

Please consider posting a photo. If we can see what you have to work with we will then be able to offer realistic suggestions on how you might be able to improve it.

If you are considering chalk painting you may want to consider looking at my favorite bloggers gallery. She transforms old secondhand furniture into beautiful pieces

From the link below -You will see an overwhelming library of her chalk painted products as well as go to her YouTube channel to see the demonstrations of the chalk painting.

https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/diy-gallery/

Her preferred paint products

https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/dixie-belle-product-reference-guide/

Here a lot of ideas from other Hometalkers

https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=bookcase%20ideas

Transform Plain Shelves with These Before-and-After Bookcase Makeover Ideas

https://www.bhg.com/decorating/do-it-yourself/accents/beautiful-bookcase-makeovers/

If your bookcase has a back wall to it, you could attach peelable contact paper to that part. That really dresses it up.

Hi! A coat of paint and lining the back wall behind the shelves will give you a totally new look. Crown molding and other trim pieces can be added.

You could add wallpaper to the back

You could paint it or stencil the edges and even get decorative wood pieces at Michael’s crafts and glue them on the corners

Hi Margherita, there are lots of great ideas here: Home and Garden DIY Ideas | Hometalk

Here is how you can add a trim: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtOSToxR6z8

Add a pic of the shelf

Here are some ideas: https://www.aratariathome.com/blog/living-room-bookshelf-styling

Wallpaper the back and add a pretty moulding around the edges. I've also seen people tack pretty lace trim or the like to the front of the shelves.

It depends on what your goals are, tastes are, and what you mean by improving the look. Try doing an image search on Google or use the search bar at the top left for bookshelf ideas.