Customizing Prefabricated Bookcases

If you don’t have a carpenter on speed dial or the $$$$ for a custom built-in bookcase(s), a DIY project of the customizing prefabricated bookcases kind is the way to go.

shelves-books

House & Garden Magazine – Photography by Michael Sinclair

Basic meet-your-needs bookcases can be transformed into anything but a basic custom piece on a weekend.

Storage is a universal need from office to home and beyond, and a stylish bookcase or bookcases meets that need and masters the built-in look.

billy-bookcase-white

IKEA Billy Bookcase

tall-wall-black-bookcase

Beth Donner Design – Photography by Elizabeth Leidel

“Every room needs a touch of black,
just as it needs one antique piece.”

—Jan Showers

billy-bookcase-comb-w-extension-units-black-oak-effect

Billy Bookcase Comb w Extension Units, Black Oak Effect, 78¾” x 11 x 93¼”

It appears the search for a white prefab bookcase is not a daunting hunt- they’re everywhere and quite affordable.

At almost 6′ feet tall and an affordable price point, this particular style bookcase is an inexpensive, no frills(yet) great foundation to build upon.

customizing prefabricated bookcases

South Shore Furniture Freeport Pure White 5-Shelf Bookcase

With the addition of molding and pre- primed embellishments to the top, base, and sides the unit will set the designer wheels in motion.

Carved Line Molding for Wall & Furniture Trim Edges

It’s amazing how decorative molding, trim, and accents upgrade the bookcase to custom status.

When using more than one unit, screw the pieces together before adding the accents.

Anchoring the bookcase(s) to the wall with “L” brackets keeps the bookcases(s) solidly in place while preventing the piece from tipping over.

crown molding

Decorative molding will have to be cut as it is usually sold in 8 ft lengths.

Measure the selected area of the bookcase where the molding will be placed.

Keep things as simple as you can by marking the area on the molding to be cut with a pencil.

Carefully make the cuts on the molding using a miter saw.

Sand each finished cut with sand paper to smooth edges.

For Top Crown:

Nail the crown molding into place at  the top and sides of the unit.

Fill the gaps with caulk and allow to dry for approximately 30 minutes before paint application.

For Side Trim and Accents:

trim-bookcases

Apply small beads of Liquid Nails Paneling and Molding Construction Adhesive to the molding or accents and put in place. Apply pressure for a few minutes to ensure tight adhering.

Once the shelves are in their desired positions, you may want to consider covering all or some of the exposed peg holes and any other exposed screw holes.

Using a putty knife, apply Bondo Home Solutions All-Purpose Putty over each hole to fill and cover.

all-purpose-putty

Smooth away excess with putty knife.

Allow to dry (approximately 45 minutes) and sand the area smooth.

All needed materials for this step are available at home improvement, hardware, and big box stores.

Now we’re ready to take things to the next phase of decorative wow factor.

Stay tuned for more ideas, suggestions, and resource information.

Darleen-signature-love

 

 

 

 

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