An easy way to add in a touch of color or in some cases, a lot of color, is by painting an existing bookcase – either partially or in its entirety. You can update it and allow it to grow with the rooms design as the years go on by painting the back panels or completely reinvent it by painting the whole thing. It is an easy paint job that can be done in a day. Here is a bookcase I styled for a Charlotte client.
Anne Harwell (aka. Annchovie) did a fantastic update to her West Elm bookcase by painting the entire piece a brilliant Tiffany Blue shade. Click here to see her redo!
Two matching teal bookcases on either side of the fireplace create symmetry and focal points.
Here are a few in a variety of colors- a large bookcase painted a soft blue.
an olive green,
and a dramatic red and black bookcase,
This built-in bookcase is painted to blend in with the wall color and molding.
Stark contrast makes it the main event in this room. Spot the X frame too?
Are your bookcases painted? Do you love an easy update as much as I do?
Image Credits: Laura Casey (1), Annechovie (2), Elle Decor (3, 6-8), Apartment Therapy (4) and M Design via Pearl Street Interiors (5).
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Love the photos….we are now thinking of doing Joe’s office – some great ideas!!!
I definitely love an easy update and would love to have some bookshelves painted a chalky black in the future – I don’t have anything to work with right now, but hopefully next year after we move!
I will have to paint the back of my white bookcase…it really gives it a custom look! Great examples!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Yes! Love the painted bookcases and anything painted for that matter. I also love to see the back of a bookcase wallpapered or the shelves covered with a great linen or such and nail heads added.
Hi Laura, I put a vintage blue floral fabric on the backsides of my bookcases by wrapping sections around foamcore.
great post. I’m thinking about how to approach my bookcases right now; they need a little paint to update them! donna
Great ideas! Love the navy>
Bookcases are so often forgotten about. They can be such a statement in a room and can add such color. Loved the images!
Ruthie
Mine are, and I love the look! I painted my shelves in BM’s equestrian gray. 6 years later I am still happy!
Nice bookshelf styling!
Hugs to you,
Mon
Fabulous idea, I like yours the best
calm and serene, subtle yet makes a statement.
There is simply no end to the deliciousness here!
Just what I needed, as I am ready to begin painting my own bookshelves. Thanks Laura!
Also, would love to see what Joanie is talking about with nailhead trim, sounds amazing. Joanie, any pics?
Love the West Elm shelves, but that dark room with the lighter blue and white upholstery is stunning!!
I love the painted bookshelves! I keep trying to convince my traditionalist clients to do this to add some vibrant energy to their spaces. I will definitely use some of these images to convince them of how great it can look. Thanks for posting!
My favorite one is yours. I just restyled the floor to ceiling shelves in my study/library and thought of your clean style in that first image as I worked. And remember my comment about what to do with paperbacks? I am donating most of them, but the ones I can’t part with are on baskets on the lower shelves. (Would love it if the baskets were a more perfect fit, but I could spend a lifetime obsessing over the perfect baskets if I’m not careful! Moving on!)
xo,
Linsey
I am amazed one can do so much with a bookshelf to change the entire feel of a space. Amazing. The Blue Room is so bold. I love it, but I think I would definitely be very hesitant about doing something like that in my own home. Which is really weird b/c all of my paintings are full of color. Thanks for inspiring me to move past my self-imposed restrictions
I’m in love with that West Elm bookcase – what a great color!
Like this technique, it has been around for a while. It does add a pop of color to a boring bookshelf or room. Used to be a big fan of it until everyone started doing it and it was no longer a unique look.