Target Bookcase Makeover
We upcycled this inexpensive Target bookcase and gave it a whole new look. And a whole new life!
Remove the back of the bookcase. It's basically just a thin piece of veneer that comes right off.
Then paint the bookcase with chalk paint. It'll probably take a couple of coats to cover.
This is pine V-groove shiplap wood we had left over from the ceiling of a home we built in 1989. And we've kept it and moved it around with us to 4 different homes and finally brought it 500 miles to the home we're in now!
But you can use any kind of old (or even new) pine you can find.
Water down your chalk paint by about 1 part paint to 1 part water and brush it on.
Wipe off the whitewash with a damp rag or paper towel until you get the look you want. We even sanded ours a little because we didn't want it this white.
(This image is taken after the boards were attached.) Nail a trim piece that's about 1 inch by 1 inch on each side of the back of the bookcase for the boards to butt up to if you don't want to see the raw edges of the shiplap boards.
Now nail your shiplap boards to the back of the bookcase with the whitewash sides facing the front.
Use 220 grit sandpaper to distress the edges of the bookcase and the shelves. Sand it enough so some of the original dark stain comes through.
Sand the rest of it smooth.
Finish with a wax finish.
Resources for this project:
See all materials
Comments
Join the conversation
-
What a great result. Well done. Thanks for sharing. 😊
-
Gorgeous and very clever!
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?