DIY: Beadboard Backed Bookshelf

I have been trying to purge my house of extras that we just don't need. I feel like my life has been so chaotic since the birth of my second child and that maybe "decluttering" might be what I need to give my life a little order.

With that said, I was organizing my downstairs storage room and purchased some new heavy duty storage shelves. I was left with this sad old bookshelf in which I had no use. My husband always hated this bookshelf, but it was pretty sturdy and a great height so I always seemed to find a good use for it.


It was it's time to go...or was it? I was in need of some toy storage in my toy room/guest bedroom in the basement. (This poor room has so many names, but best to be called the 'room of chaos' or the second toy room so Mommy can workout without kids getting under her feet but also doubles as the guest bedroom once in a while.) The bookshelf might be just what I need to organize the toys in this room.

I started out by sanding down the scratches that were on the bookshelf. First with a 60 grit then a 200 grit sanding block.

And then I removed the cardboard backing. 

Next, I primed it all with Zinsser Cover Stain White Primer Sealer. This is the best primer I have found for these faux finished furniture pieces. 

I decided to paint it white..... and must have also lost some photos along the way. What you do not see is me painting it white and cutting the bead-board panel to fit the back and installing it. However, I do have a picture of the finished product!  

Here it is with the shelves installed.

This room of chaos looks like this most of the time.

With the new (old) bookshelf painted, it now is organized and looks like this!

This whole project cost me $9, the cost of the bead-board. I had the paint and fabric boxes already on hand.

It makes the room look a little more in order now! My son is very good about putting all the toys back when finished playing now that there is a spot they go in!

Happy Painting!!

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