April 11, 2023, 9:06 am | Read time: 5 minutes
Do you have old shelves whose color you can no longer stand? Or do you want a bookshelf made of beautiful dark wooden boards but can only find unattractive or expensive models? No problem! With some paint and a brush, you can easily paint the boards to your liking. It’s not that complicated–if you do it right.
Sometimes you have a very specific idea of a new piece of furniture, like a bookshelf, and just can’t find the right model in furniture stores and the like. Or you have an old, beloved piece that you can’t stand as it is anymore, but you don’t want to part with it. What helps? Exactly, painting. This is easy and inexpensive to do, especially with shelves. myHOMEBOOK has compiled a clear and simple guide to painting shelves yourself in this overview.
Note: This guide is about wooden shelves. This overview does not apply to other materials such as metal, plexiglass, etc.
What to Consider Before Painting Shelves
Before stocking up on paint at the hardware store, you should carefully consider which color it should be and whether it fits where the shelf will eventually hang or stand. It’s best to look left and right of the shelf location for any potentially clashing colors in the decor. It can help to take a step back and consider whether the color fits into the overall concept of the room.
Once the color choice is made, it’s important to take a closer look at the surface of the shelf. For wooden boards you already own, check if they are already varnished. If so, they need to be sanded or even stripped. Otherwise, the paint might not adhere or could become uneven.
In our video example, simple laminated wood panels were painted. They have the advantage of not needing to be sanded or primed. Additionally, they fit in length, width, and thickness and didn’t need to be cut. Of course, that’s also possible and can be quickly done at the hardware store. Or you can do it yourself at home if you have the right tools.
Related: Build a Shelf with Plenty of Storage Space Yourself
What You Can Still Do With an Old Suitcase
5 Unique Wall Shelves for the Bedroom
The Right Material and Tools
You are not limited in the type of wood. The hardware store offers a wide selection of coated and uncoated boards, real wood and wood imitation, hardwood and softwood, etc. Even old boards from other furniture and wood scraps can be suitable. It mainly depends on the purpose.
In our example, a 1.20 to 1.40 meter wide wall bookshelf was to be built from medium to dark brown wooden boards. Boards of the same length and thickness were needed, as well as the appropriate color, since the boards were too light.
Material and Tool List:
- 6 laminated spruce boards, 120 x 20 cm
- 2x interior wood stain, color: mahogany
- Flat brush
- Possibly a small paint roller
- Plastic sheet for underlay
For the construction of the shelf, 18 brackets, screws, and dowels, as well as a cordless screwdriver and a drill, were also needed.
Note: The mahogany-colored stain was chosen in the video example mainly because of the color. It was also recommended at the hardware store because the selected laminated wood board did not need to be sanded. According to the employee, a double coat was sufficient. If you’re unsure, it’s best to get advice before buying paint.
Also interesting: Staining, Waxing, Oiling Wood–What’s the Difference?
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Painting Shelves Yourself–Step by Step Explained
- Choose a place to paint where the boards can remain for at least a day. If there are small children or roaming animals in the house, create a space they cannot access.
- Lay out the plastic sheet and place the shelves on it. Alternatively, several sawhorses will do.
- Start painting. If using a brush, begin at a corner and work slowly forward. Finally, drag the brush in strokes from one side to the other to even out any irregularities. Note: Painting with a brush will not result in an even finish. If you want a wood grain look, a brush is a good choice. For a uniform surface, use a paint roller.
- Once all the shelves are painted on the top side, it’s time to wait. After about one to two hours, the wooden boards should be dry, depending on the paint.
- Apply the second coat. At the end, check carefully for any missed spots or areas that look uneven and touch up as needed. Make sure not to miss the edges.
- Let it dry, preferably overnight, depending on the thickness.
- Once the shelves are completely dry, they can be mounted on the wall.
Note: It was recommended at the hardware store to paint the shelves twice. For a uniform overall appearance, you should take the time to do so.
Need a visual guide? Watch the video at the beginning of this article. Enjoy painting!