You don’t need to buy a brand new bookcase to refresh your space. With a little paint and some creative backing—like wrapping paper—you can upcycle old furniture and give your room a modern, stylish makeover. This project shows how painted bookcases, paired with a simple paper backdrop, can transform a dining room into a brighter, more cohesive space.
Painted Bookcases for a Fresh New Look
When I visited my sons in New York in 2017, I ended up rearranging and repurposing a lot of their things. The biggest change was the dining room bookcases: cheap particle-board units with dark laminate grain that made the room feel heavy and cluttered. Painting them with a chalky white finish and adding patterned backing paper completely altered the look and feel of the space.
Before I started, the wall of shelves looked dark and mismatched—different finishes and colors, including a blue-backed unit that broke up the monotony but didn’t tie the room together. My plan was simple: separate the units, paint them white with a homemade chalky paint, and add removable backing panels covered in birch-pattern wrapping paper for visual interest.
Materials Used for the Project
- Leftover latex paint
- Water
- Plaster of Paris (for homemade chalk-style paint)
- Chip brushes
- Sandpaper
- Scotch tape
- Creme wax
- Decorative wrapping paper (birch pattern)
How I Painted the Bookcases
I used a white homemade chalky paint I had previously mixed (a mixture based on latex and Plaster of Paris) and applied three coats to each bookcase. These were inexpensive units, so there was no risk of ruining anything. I painted them, let each coat dry thoroughly—especially important in winter—and waited until the final coat was completely dry before a light sanding and waxing. I didn’t sand before painting or between coats because the chalky texture helped the paint adhere and gave a slightly imperfect, lived-in finish that I liked.
After painting, I moved a small dictionary stand into the center of the arrangement and flanked it with the painted bookcases. That’s when I decided to add removable backing panels to create depth and interest without committing to permanent wallpaper.
To make the inserts, I measured the inside backs of the bookcases and cut pieces of sturdy cardboard to fit. I wrapped the cardboard with the birch-pattern wrapping paper, folding and taping the paper on the back so the front looked neat and seamless. Four out of six inserts were the same size, which made this quick and straightforward. Because the panels are removable, they’re easy to swap out later if I want a different look.
The birch design adds texture and warmth against the white-painted shelves. It keeps the overall look simple while introducing pattern and a focal point for styling. The inserts are lightweight and practical—no permanent changes, no commitment.
Once the shelves were painted and the backs installed, I had fun styling them. I mixed books with found objects: a brass candelabra, a clay pot from Greece, glass bottles, a small vintage gas lamp rescued from my dad’s basement, and a few sentimental pieces like a hand-crafted dragon egg my son and I made years ago. These personal touches bring warmth to the finished upcycled bookcases and make the display feel lived-in rather than staged.
Underneath the center dictionary stand I added storage in the form of large cardboard boxes covered in fabric. The fabric-covered boxes anchor the composition and provide concealed storage while maintaining a coordinated look.
I opted not to heavily distress the bookcases. The clean white paint combined with the birch backing created the contrast and charm I wanted without additional aging. To keep one corner subtler, I added a simple empty frame as a modern accent so the shelves wouldn’t read as too busy.
The result: the room feels brighter, larger, and more cohesive. Even my dad—who was skeptical at first—was impressed with the transformation. My son, however, joked about not being able to find his books after I finished redecorating.
This project is a great example of a low-cost DIY bookcase makeover: painted bookcases, removable wrapping-paper-backed inserts, and thoughtful styling can update a room without replacing furniture. If you’re considering an upcycle, try a light paint color and a patterned removable back to instantly lift a space.
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