My $850 Bookcase Makeover Looks So Luxe (It’s the Perfect Little Home Library!)
As a writer and reader, I have a lot of books. Many are large-format art and design books that I’ve collected since college, with a fair amount of literature in the mix. I also have a smallish one-bedroom apartment, so my “library” lives in the hallway.
For years, I went with standard bookcases, but since the space is barely 61 inches wide, with protruding base boards, large door casings, and a crown molding, they kind of stuck out. I needed something that would fit a little better.
Although it’s only 5 feet wide by 9 feet high, I knew the space had potential to be the perfect jewel box of a library if I could just figure out how to work with its architectural details. And after years of making do with my arrangement (and subtly resenting it all the while), I finally found a solution I could afford and install myself.
First, I gave the walls a warm makeover with paint and wallpaper.
After removing the old bookcases, I cleaned and patched the walls to prep them for a raspberry-colored refresh. I used Sherwin Williams’ Juneberry on three of the four walls, and found a similarly hued ikat print wallpaper for the bookcase wall.
The rich magenta hues of both the paint and wallpaper set the jewel-toned mood I was after, plus I love the trend of having wallpaper behind open shelving. It’s a great way to add color and dimension to the space.
I added two bookcases — plus two extra shelves.
As for the shelving, I was thrilled to discover the Nathan James Ladder Bookshelf, and I chose the option with oak shelves and white hardware.
These twin fixtures solved three problems. First, the side brackets stretched to 85 inches tall, which means they nestled perfectly under the door casing on either side of the hallway. Second, the lowest shelf cleared the 8-inch baseboard. And third, both fixtures together measured exactly 60 inches wide, allowing 1 inch of clearance for a snug fit.
To maximize the space above and below the crown molding, I purchased two plain pine shelves at the hardware store and stained them in a coordinating oak shade.
My hot take? Bookshelves don’t need much decor.
I realize that “shelf styling” suggests adding objects, art, and plants to bookshelves, but I’m a bookworm through and through, and I believe that shelves should mostly be just for books. But, by alternating horizontal book stacks here and there, I was able to add a little bit of rhythm and visual interest.
While I have so many books that the wallpaper seems “barely there,” it does add the dimension I wanted. Everything feels so much more elevated, refined, and thoughtful. A friend came over at the new year and said, “This is my favorite thing in your whole place,” and I’m inclined to agree! It’s everything I’ve ever wanted — finally.
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