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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » Reader Redesign: Bookcase To Built-Ins

| By John Petersik | December 20, 2012 | 62 Comments

Reader Redesign: Bookcase To Built-Ins

I know what you’re thinking. Do John & Sherry want to marry built-ins? The answer is yes. What can I say, we’re just suckers for them (function + form = jackpot) so it was no surprise that Hilary’s project of turning cheap Craigslist bookcases into an architectural feature had me at “Hey there.” It was just such a smart use of space and such a wise way to adapt something pre-made (and affordable) to work for the room. Here’s her letter:

Hey there John + Sherry! My husband and I moved into our little cape cod in Jersey just over a year ago. In the first year we tore out the old flooring, laid all new wood floors, and completely gutted and renovated our kitchen. After we checked the biggest projects off of our To Do list we were able to move onto more fun projects like adding lots of storage and display space in our living room by means of two built-ins. After scouring Craigslist for months I finally found two perfectly ugly yet sturdy all-wood bookcases for only $100.

Built Ins 1 Before

After I removed some outdated trim, sanded them down…

Built Ins1

… and painted them in white (Benjamin Moore’s White Dove)…

Built Ins2

… they really popped against the navy blue walls that I painted to show through behind them (Behr’s December Eve). Then we just finished things off with trim that we painted to match. Adding crown molding and putting the doors back on was the final step. And filling them back up with things we love – and stashing additional items in the bottom cabinets – was the icing on the cake.

After Built Ins

There’s still more trim work and paint touch-ups to be completed but I just couldn’t wait any longer to share.

Built Ins 4 Side By Side

I hope you’ll find them as awesome as we do! – Thanks, Hilary

Builts In 5 Detail

Is that not an awesome idea? The royal-ish navy blue wall color that shows through from behind them is such a great choice, the dark frames are cool, and most of all we just love that Hilary so smartly adapted old bookcases from Craigslist to earn all that display space (and storage!) against that formerly useless wall. You can see more about how these built-ins came to be on Hilary’s blog – and even tackle your own version with some old secondhand bookcases if you hunt some down. And beyond just the shelves themselves, I’m really digging the items on them. Methinks I need to find myself a vintage fan…

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Comments

  1. Avatar for Megan FMegan F says

    December 20, 2012 at 2:47 pm

    More and More I don’t know what I’m waiting for to get the backs of our bookshelves painted. Looks fantastic- thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  2. Avatar for Lisa @ Charlie The CavalierLisa @ Charlie The Cavalier says

    December 20, 2012 at 2:50 pm

    Wow! I would not have thought of this. This usually is an expensive look. Next time I see those ugly shelves at the sal val I will take a second look and think bookcases!

    Reply
  3. Avatar for kristykristy says

    December 20, 2012 at 2:51 pm

    Lovely! We are buying a home that has an abundance of oak and it’s almost overwhelming. This gives me hope!

    Reply
  4. Avatar for BillieBillie says

    December 20, 2012 at 2:52 pm

    Impressive! Pinned to my DIY pinterest board like lightning!

    Reply
  5. Avatar for Alex GelsingerAlex Gelsinger says

    December 20, 2012 at 2:55 pm

    They look fantastic!

    Reply
  6. Avatar for MegMeg says

    December 20, 2012 at 2:56 pm

    I am SO with you on the vintage fan love! Great job, fellow reader!

    Reply
  7. Avatar for Julia @ Chris Loves JuliaJulia @ Chris Loves Julia says

    December 20, 2012 at 3:03 pm

    It looks like the used the top as an additional shelf?! So smart. I scrolled up and down because I was CERTAIN those bookcases got taller. Real pretty. Totally changed the whole room!

    Reply
    • Avatar for StefaniStefani says

      December 21, 2012 at 12:31 am

      Hahaha I did the same thing. Kept scrolling up and down, up and down trying to figure out how they suddenly were so much taller! They’re like magic growing shelves :)

  8. Avatar for SamanthaSamantha says

    December 20, 2012 at 3:04 pm

    That is inspiring. If I found those cabinets free on the street I probably would have walked right past them.

    Reply
  9. Avatar for AshleighAshleigh says

    December 20, 2012 at 3:05 pm

    I immediately zeroed in in that fan. I have a few old fans and just love them. It doesn’t cost much to have them rewired so they’re functional. (Not exactly Clara-safe though.)

    Reply
  10. Avatar for HeatherHeather says

    December 20, 2012 at 3:07 pm

    Absolutely GORGEOUS!!! So in love with that bold blue.

    Reply
  11. Avatar for NickyNicky says

    December 20, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    Looks amazing!

    I’m a little confused between picture 3 and 4. How did the bookcase go from what looks like a foot between the top of the bookcase and the ceiling (picture 3) to ceiling height (picture 4)? Did they have a section about adding to the top of the bookcase that wasn’t included here?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 20, 2012 at 3:11 pm

      Looks like they used the top of the bookcase as the top shelf when they built them in. So smart! There’s more info if you click over to their blog I think!

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for Hilary @ My So-Called HomeHilary @ My So-Called Home says

      December 20, 2012 at 3:21 pm

      Here’s that link for ya on how we beefed up the bookcases to make them floor to ceiling:

      http://www.mysocalledhome.com/2012/06/beefing-up-built-ins.html?m=0

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 20, 2012 at 3:29 pm

      Love that!

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for Amanda K.Amanda K. says

      December 26, 2012 at 12:28 pm

      that was my question, too. they look great!

  12. Avatar for Hilary @ My So-Called HomeHilary @ My So-Called Home says

    December 20, 2012 at 3:12 pm

    Ah! Thank you SO much for the feature! We are just loving how much interest they add to our plain jane living room, not to mention storage space. The extra space will definitely come in handy this Spring when we welcome baby “#1 into the world (yay May babies!). Thanks again and Merry Christmas!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 20, 2012 at 3:29 pm

      Wahoo! May babies, represent! We love your room, and wish you all the best with the wee one you’re cooking!

      xo
      s

  13. Avatar for LauraLaura says

    December 20, 2012 at 3:16 pm

    So, so great!!! Hilary, since you’re not calling them done (which you totally could) may I just say that a built-in bench under that window connecting the two bookcases would MAKE this. :)

    Reply
    • Avatar for ClairClair says

      December 21, 2012 at 9:44 am

      I came on here to say the same thing! A window seat (with a lift up lid to store baby toys) would be divine!

    • Avatar for LauraLaura says

      December 30, 2012 at 8:04 pm

      Like this: http://www.bhg.com/rooms/living-room/makeovers/living-room-decorating-ideas/#page=17

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 30, 2012 at 8:40 pm

      So pretty!

      xo
      s

  14. Avatar for Tracie@MiddleClassMod[email protected] says

    December 20, 2012 at 3:20 pm

    I love this project, but I’m sooo glad you posted this because I used to read her blog but somehow lost the link. Such a pretty house!

    Reply
  15. Avatar for Megan @ Rappsody in RoomsMegan @ Rappsody in Rooms says

    December 20, 2012 at 3:24 pm

    I have a love for builtins as well. How can you not??? This was a really smart move and very clever!

    Reply
  16. Avatar for MelissaMelissa says

    December 20, 2012 at 3:24 pm

    Does Hilary have a blog? These look A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! I so want to create a functional bootkcase/tv stand combo in the corner beside our fireplace! This gives me so much inspiration!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 20, 2012 at 3:28 pm

      Yes, we linked over to her at the bottom of the post. Hope it helps!

      xo
      s

  17. Avatar for MeghanMeghan says

    December 20, 2012 at 3:29 pm

    I LOVE this! And it’s the exact thing I need in my living room on either side of our fireplace to define the space and give me some much needed storage. (We have a loooong living room/dining room that I’m having trouble defining as two spaces.) I wanted to do bookcases anyway, but I love the idea of making them look built in!

    Reply
  18. Avatar for Kenz @ Interiors By KenzKenz @ Interiors By Kenz says

    December 20, 2012 at 3:37 pm

    Absolutely stunning!

    Reply
  19. Avatar for KirpiKirpi says

    December 20, 2012 at 3:49 pm

    Isn’t this original bookcase the cousin of your original kitchen with the googly eye knobs? :)

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 20, 2012 at 4:19 pm

      Haha, it’s true!

      xo
      s

  20. Avatar for NicholeNichole says

    December 20, 2012 at 4:04 pm

    This is great! I seriously own almost the exact same bookcases. They were hand-me-downs when we first got married (almost 9 years ago…yikes that we’ve held onto them that long…not that we’ve been married that long!). I’ve never really liked them, but they are extremely functional (and were free) and we haven’t gotten around to replacing them. I sense another project in the works…

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 20, 2012 at 4:19 pm

      So awesome! Send pics!

      xo
      s

  21. Avatar for Christina @ Homemade OceanChristina @ Homemade Ocean says

    December 20, 2012 at 4:13 pm

    oh la la…I love that moody blue :)

    Reply
  22. Avatar for Lisa in SeattleLisa in Seattle says

    December 20, 2012 at 4:14 pm

    Say what??? How clever to build out the top and sides – I would never have thought of that. The crown moulding looks great. What a cute room!

    Reply
  23. Avatar for JulieJulie says

    December 20, 2012 at 4:14 pm

    I have two matching solid oak bookcases. Golden Oak (shudder). I ADORE the look of the dark blue background against the white shelves. I really, really, REALLY need to get my husband on board with that! He’s very matchy-matchy and all ‘wood-is-good’. I just don’t do the matchy-matchy thing!

    Maybe I’ve scared him enough this year with my Ocean Depths blue powder room. Then again, the year is almost over!

    Reply
  24. Avatar for AngelicaAngelica says

    December 20, 2012 at 4:24 pm

    This is fantastic! I hope both $herdog and John and all these other bloggers realize how much those of us who don’t have time to blog but need inspiration, appreciate all these projects you invest so much time into!!!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 20, 2012 at 4:28 pm

      Aw that’s so sweet Angelica! We love to share the love, and find ourselves getting completely inspired and excited every time we see cool projects like this!

      xo
      s

  25. Avatar for katherine townsendkatherine townsend says

    December 20, 2012 at 4:28 pm

    These look great! We’ve been painting like crazy here – old brick fireplace now sparkling white. And I can definitely see a paint change coming in the future of our big oak bookcase and hutch. If I can only convince my husband that painting the insides a different color is a good idea.

    And unless I’m mistaken, these folks must watch even less TV than I do. looks like the TV is basically behind the couch in that bookcase.

    Reply
  26. Avatar for Michelle ZMichelle Z says

    December 20, 2012 at 4:28 pm

    At first I thought that she had turned that cigar box into a tissue box holder, then I saw that it was a shell. I think I’m going to have to DIY myself a cigar box tissue holder, though.

    Reply
  27. Avatar for JessicaJessica says

    December 20, 2012 at 4:37 pm

    I love this!! The blue paint makes it pop! What color blue did you use?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 20, 2012 at 4:55 pm

      I think if you click over to her blog she has all that info for ya!

      xo
      s

  28. Avatar for LaurenLauren says

    December 20, 2012 at 4:43 pm

    Awesome! I am now on the lookout for cheap, ugly bookcases…

    Reply
  29. Avatar for SusannahSusannah says

    December 20, 2012 at 6:33 pm

    I love the built-ins! If I had a house, this is totally something I’d want to do.

    Reply
  30. Avatar for jessica@fourgenerationsoneroof[email protected] says

    December 20, 2012 at 6:52 pm

    Ohhhhhhh so pretty! Love how she used the navy in the back. So pretty with the crisp white. :)

    Reply
  31. Avatar for Megan @ Two Live ColorfullyMegan @ Two Live Colorfully says

    December 20, 2012 at 7:00 pm

    These turned out so fantastic! I can’t believe the reveal photo came from craigslist finds! Also the styling is awesome. An overall win! :D

    Reply
  32. Avatar for LeaLea says

    December 20, 2012 at 8:42 pm

    eBay is a good source for amazing old fans that could use a little love. I spiffed one up a few years ago and it’s one of my favorite possessions! With Clara (and other kiddos) around, non-functional wouldn’t even be a deal-breaker–seems like the older the fan, the bigger the hand that can get through the protective grill…

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 20, 2012 at 9:50 pm

      Smart!

      xo
      s

  33. Avatar for mpmp says

    December 20, 2012 at 9:39 pm

    LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

    Reply
  34. Avatar for AlexisAlexis says

    December 20, 2012 at 9:44 pm

    Hey John – I love how you worked “methinks” into this post. Hahaha! Is that one word or two though?!?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 20, 2012 at 9:49 pm

      Methinks it’s probably two. I get that stuff wrong. Haha.

      xo,
      s

  35. Avatar for juliajulia says

    December 21, 2012 at 1:25 am

    i love the navy against the white!

    xo julesinflats.com

    Reply
  36. Avatar for CarlaCarla says

    December 21, 2012 at 2:17 am

    They look really nice, but I can’t quite figure out if you boarded up the gap between the sides and the wall. That seems like valuable space for more books or for a wider window treatment. I really love this project, but the shelves look a bit skimpy compared to the available wall space.

    What I appreciate about this, though, is the challenge of figuring out how to maximize the available shelving space while still using these same Craigslist units you purchased. One option (should I have the opportunity with my own home) would be to place the shelving units flush against the two walls with moulding along the sides so they look built-in, and then hanging your curtain rod across the larger span with fabric draping on both sides. This would give the illusion of a wider window and eliminate the appearance of wasted space.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Hilary @ My So-Called HomeHilary @ My So-Called Home says

      December 21, 2012 at 8:33 am

      Carla, that was actually my original intent, to sit the bookcases flush on the wall but after stepping back it seemed like too large of a gap between them and we’d have to get wider curtains to fill in the space which I felt looked strange. Then we considered turning the sides into extra shelves but again it just seemed like it would look too clutterrd and jam packed with “things.” In the end we decided building out the sides a little was our best solution. Truthfully the trim isn’t finished in these photos but it will look much more finished and intentional when it’s on. Hope that explains my train of thought a little better! :)

  37. Avatar for Joy | Frock FilesJoy | Frock Files says

    December 21, 2012 at 11:00 am

    I adore all things built in, and this project is no exception! Love the finished product. If I saw the before and after side-by-side, I would never guess they’re the same shelves. Amazing!

    Reply
  38. Avatar for Lynn @ Our Useful HandsLynn @ Our Useful Hands says

    December 21, 2012 at 11:07 am

    What an awesome adaptation to something so simple. I love how the room is being pulled together by the pops of blue here and there.

    My best, Lynn

    Reply
  39. Avatar for TaniaTania says

    December 21, 2012 at 2:48 pm

    Nicely done — we have a nice built in that’s all open shelving, I’m wondering now if I can add doors to the bottom to add some much needed concealed storage for toys.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 21, 2012 at 3:18 pm

      Ooh I bet you can!

      xo
      s

  40. Avatar for Paula M.Paula M. says

    December 21, 2012 at 3:33 pm

    Great job! It takes vision to come up with that final result from the initial view of those bookcases on sale.

    Love the idea, color choices, execution, etc.

    Must check out their blog now :)

    Reply
  41. Avatar for Crystal @ 29 Rue HouseCrystal @ 29 Rue House says

    December 21, 2012 at 9:11 pm

    The whole room looks so nice but those bookshelves are to die for!

    Reply
  42. Avatar for Charles BakerCharles Baker says

    December 22, 2012 at 4:43 pm

    Your new bookshelves look absolutely amazing! Very nice transformation… you did an excellent job. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  43. Avatar for juliejulie says

    December 27, 2012 at 12:26 pm

    Wait! I think there were a few steps that were not shown. The original shelves were at least 8 inches short of the ceiling and the final product goes all the way up to the ceiling and has several shelves that the original shelves did not. So how did you add the top piece to have it reach up all the way to the ceiling ?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      December 27, 2012 at 12:53 pm

      Oh yes, she used the top of the bookcase as the top shelf. So smart, right?! There are more details for you over on here blog!

      xo
      s

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John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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