Adding Beadboard to the Back of Open Shelving

3 Materials
$20
30 Minutes
Easy

A simple addition of bead board to the back of my open IKEA shelving unit and its a whole new piece!

Here is my Ikea shelf with no bead board.


It just did not allow for my dishes, baskets and decor to show up at all.


The yellow wall behind just does not do it justice.

We took everything off the shelves and laid it down with the back towards us.


It is perfect because there are places to attach the bead board to. On each side and on each level.

I went over to Lowes and bought a piece of bead board $20.00 and had them cut it to my specifications 36″wide x 76″high it left me with some large leftover piece.


I will find another use for those pieces.


We used small finish nails to attach the board to the back. This is back of the unit with board on it.

I mean hello! It looks amazing and so cheap and easy to do too!

I love instant projects like this!

This is how it looked when I had red kitchen. The wallpaper in the kitchen did help to make my dishes pop.


The yellow in our new house just didn't work so well.

Pretty amazing transformation wouldn't you say!


Bead board is such a fun way to add detail to a plain piece of furniture. Another plus about using bead board....no painting!


It was already white and ready to go!

I just love how my dishes look on this shelving unit now.


Plus I don't have to worry about anything falling down behind it any more.

Everything is more secure.


If you like this instant project, here is another quick fast no sew dining room chair makeover you might like.

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Karins Kottage
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4 of 9 comments
  • SOOZIE SOOZIE on Jan 17, 2021

    My book cases have that cheap cardboard backing you nail on. You have such a good idea to replace it and make it look so much nicer. Great job.

    • Karins Kottage Karins Kottage on Jan 17, 2021

      Soozie, I know that cardboard backing stuff is not so great and this bead board addition really does make it look nicer and more upscale. Thanks so much for your comments. Send me a picture of how yours turns out. I would love to see the before and after.


      Karin :)

  • Jan Mynatt Casady Jan Mynatt Casady on Dec 26, 2021

    Ok. Now I will go ahead and get the bookshelves I saw without backs at the second hand store (if they are still there after this) and redo them for my entry way. Great idea! I love books and I love simple decor.

    • Karins Kottage Karins Kottage on Dec 26, 2021

      Awesome place to find bookshelves in second hand stores. You will love how it totally changes the bookshelves! Share photos when you are done!

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