DIY: 5 Creative ways to Repurpose a Bookshelf

Bookshelves are a great way to decorate your home.  You can fill them with books, decor, plants, and pretty much anything.  But, did you know there are a ton a creative ways to repurpose a bookshelf beyond a place to display books and decor?  Here are five DIY project ideas to re-purpose your old bookshelf or bookcase.

DIY Bookshelf Repurpose Ideas

1. Bar – With a few small additions, a basic bookcase can be transformed into a beautiful bar.  In addition to your bookcase you’ll need some paint, contact paper, a couple of wine glass racks and a wine bottle holder.  Start by painting your bookcase.  Then attach the contact paper to the back panel to create some interest.  You can also use gift paper for this, but I’d recommend contact paper in case there are some spills.  Then attach you wine glass holders to the underside of one of the shelves.  Finally you can place or attach a wine bottle holder to the a second shelf.

   
2. Bench – This is a super simple DIY that will leave you with both a place to sit and a place for storage.  You can paint your bookcase if you’d like, or not.  Then lay it on its side and measure out the full length.  Cut a piece of foam to size and cover it with a beautifully printed fabric.  If you’re not a sewer, like me, use stitchery witchery or another type of fusion tape to wrap to easily upholster the foam.  Then, simply place the cushion on top, and you there’s your bench.  If you want to secure the cushion to the bench try adding a few of those command picture handing strips and let the velcro stop the cushion from sliding around.  Finally, you can add a few baskets into the to the open sections of the bench and store anything from magazines, to blankets, to toys.

   

3. Cabinet – If you always wanted a stylish cabinet but never quite found the right one, just make one.  All you have to do if fasten a couple of hinges and doors to an old bookcase and there you have it.  You can use it to store dishes or as a pantry for extra kitchen storage.

   

4. Playhouse – With a little creativity you turn an old bookshelf into a kids playhouse or a dollhouse.  Much like the bar, all you’ll need a bit of paint, some contact paper, and a splash of imagination to complete this DIY project.

   
5. Mudroom – This is probably my favorite.  I mentioned the idea of a bookcase mudroom in the post “Transform Your Space With These 10 Apartment Decorating Tips“.  By adjusting your shelves, you can create a space for shoes at the bottom and by adding some coat hooks across the back, you’ve created an instant mudroom.  To polish off this look you can paint, add contact or wall paper, and add crown molding.

   

What did you think of this list?  Have you repurposed a bookshelf into something new and improved?  If so, I’d love it if you’d comment below.  For more bookshelf repurposing ideas check out our Pinterest Board for this post.  Also, follow us on Bloglovin’ for more content from Dianne Decor.