This project can be done in a weekend, and freshens up the most basic of bookcases. Painting the inside back of your bookshelves will give books, tchotchkes and that shiny new iPod speaker set a sassy showcase.
What You'll Need
- Bookcase (The one shown is the "Billy" bookcase from Ikea)
- Screwdriver (to remove hardware)
- Damp sponge (to dust off panel)
- Blue painters' tape
- Drop cloth
- Paint roller
- Primer (We like Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 water-base primer-sealer from Lowes)
- Paint (We used Latex eggshell in Rosemary Green from Benjamin Moore)
STEP 1
Remove the bookcase's back panel. Some units have a track that lets you slide in and out; others require unscrewing a few bolts. If your shelves are built in, use blue painters' tape to mask off the areas adjacent to those you want to paint. (Note: Get wide tape and mask carefully to avoid splattery mistakes.)
STEP 2
Dust the panel or the areas to be painted, then wipe with a damp sponge and allow to dry. Lay the panel on newspaper or drop cloth—do this part outside, if possible. Use a roller to coat it with water-based primer-sealer; let it dry according to the directions on the can. Use a clean, dry roller to apply a thin coat of latex paint. Apply two more coats. Let the paint dry between coats.
STEP 3
Once the surface no longer feels tacky (let it dry for several hours or, better yet, overnight) you can slide the panel back into the track or screw it back on. Or, if you've used the masking method, peel off the tape, taking care not to tear the latex paint. And, voila. A pretty new bookcase that's sure to brighten things up.
