If you’ve never heard of a vintage book trough before, you’re not alone. This long, narrow wooden piece—also called a book rack or desktop bookcase—is designed to hold and display books, DVDs, or other similarly sized items. We found one at a thrift store and decided to give it a fresh, vintage-inspired makeover that’s simple and family-friendly.
What is a Book Trough?
The word “trough” usually brings to mind a long, narrow container on a farm, but the term also applies to similarly shaped household receptacles. In the case of a book trough, it’s a shallow wooden holder meant to store and show books or media horizontally. Over the years these pieces have appeared under several names—book rack, book shelf, desktop bookcase—but they share the same practical design: a compact, open-topped container sized for paperbacks, children’s books, DVDs, and small decor items.
Materials Needed for this Upcycling Project
Gathering a few basic supplies will make this makeover quick and satisfying. You don’t need professional tools—just a handful of inexpensive items that are easy to find.
- Vintage book trough or similar wooden holder (thrift stores, flea markets, and garage sales are great sources)
- Sandpaper (medium and fine grits)
- Chalky finish paint in white (base coat)
- Craft paints in blue, white, and a touch of yellow to mix a custom hue
- Paint brushes (angled and round)
- Decorative black wax for aging and sealing
- Round wax brush or small applicator
- Lint-free cloth for wiping wax and smoothing paint
How to Upcycle a Vintage Book Trough
Start by inspecting the trough. Ours had an old varnish that was lifting in areas. Rather than strip the entire finish, we removed the loose, peeling varnish with sandpaper and smoothed the surface enough for paint to adhere. Light sanding also helps distress the piece naturally later on.
Apply two thin coats of white chalky paint as a base. Chalk paint dries quickly and gives a soft, matte foundation that takes distressing and color mixing well. For the final color, mix a bit of leftover craft blue with the chalky white and add a whisper of yellow to warm the tone. Test the mix on scrap wood first until you reach the soft blue shown below.
Once the paint is dry, use fine-grit sandpaper to distress edges and areas where natural wear would occur. Focus on corners, ledges, and the places hands would touch most often. This gives the piece a well-loved, authentic vintage look.
To deepen the aged effect and to seal the finish, apply a small amount of black decorative wax. Work the wax into crevices and around distressed edges with a round brush, then buff away the excess with a lint-free cloth. The wax adds contrast and brings out texture without obscuring the paint color.
Final Look and Use
The finished trough holds a small stack of books perfectly and adds a nostalgic touch to a child’s room, a reading nook, or a family bookshelf. Heavy distressing paired with black wax creates a slightly grungy, well-read appearance—perfect for those who love their books to look as though they’ve been enjoyed many times.
This project was small in scale but big in satisfaction: we learned a new name for an interesting piece of furniture, refreshed an overlooked treasure, and spent time bonding over books. The trough looks like it’s been in many tumbles—just the kind of character we wanted to accentuate.
Tips and Variations
- If you can’t find an actual trough, a shallow wooden crate or a narrow box can be adapted in the same way.
- Experiment with different paint colors for a more modern or more rustic look—chalk paint layers and wax aging work well across styles.
- For long-term care, wipe the waxed surface occasionally with a soft cloth to remove dust; avoid harsh cleaners that remove the wax finish.
- Personalize with stenciled lettering or small decorative pulls if you want a more crafted appearance.
Have you ever come across a “trough” piece like this at a flea market or thrift store? It might be a British term more common in some regions, but either way, these wooden holders make charming, functional upcycle projects that bring families together over books.
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