Colourful bookcase upcycle with arch

H3nna

Turning old timber bookcase to colourful one. 

Materials

Dulux paints, two different colours

Undercoat paint

Sanding paper

MDF board

Liquid nails

No more gap filler

Old bookcase 

Tools

Jigsaw

Paintbrushes, small and big one

Touch-up paint brush

Quick-grip bar clamps 

Steps

Step 1

I saved old bookshelf going to landfill, because I needed a one to my daughter's room. 

First I sanded lightly, wiped it down, applied no gap fillers to the shelves and painted undercoat. 

Step 2

I then measured right size of MDF board that I already had handy, and I designed arch to be cutted. I cutted the arch with jigsaw.

I sanded the arch so the edges wouldn't be too sharp. 

Step 3

Then I went back to painting. I painted the bookshelf with this beautiful orangish/ pinkish colour plus added yellow strips to the back of the bookshelf. I painted it twice. 

Step 4

When the paint was dried completely I glued the arch onto the top of the top shelf with liquid nails. I attached bar clamps to hold the arch so it would not slide down while drying. 

Step 5

When the arch was secured and liguid nails dried. I applied no gap filler to the edges of the MDF board and let it dry. I sanded the bottom parts of the arch + excess filler off so the surface would be smooth. Then I wiped it down, and painted the arch to match to the rest of the bookcase. 

JacobZ

Hi @H3nna,

Thank you for sharing your upcycled bookcase project. It's incredible what a little elbow grease and a coat of paint can do to bring an old piece of furniture back to life.

I love what you've done with the addition of the arch, it gives the bookcase that little bit of extra character to go with its new coat of paint.

You've created something I'm sure your daughter will cherish for a long time to come.

Keep us in the loop for any future projects that you have.

Jacob