I've fallen in love with bookshelves that have color in the back. It spices up a room, but it's in a small area and you don't have to paint a whole room.
Supplies:
Liquid Starch-it's by the spray starch but it should be in a bottle. My big bottle was maybe $2 and this is the fourth time I used it with lots left.
Container for the starch
Fabric- thin fabric is by far the easiest. This time I did it with decor fabric and it was hard to get the starch to soak in which makes the fabric less sticky.
Scissors
Measuring tape
Wipe the back of the bookshelf, wall, or whatever you're going to use so it's clean. Now measure each spot or wherever you're putting the fabric and cut the fabric into those pieces. I measured each space and then ripped my fabric to fit that space, so I had 8 pieces of fabric.
*Important* Sometimes the fabric shrinks when you get it wet, and sometimes it stretches. Maybe test a piece before you cut them all. I ran into problems later because I didn't test my fabric first.
Now you can watch me putting the fabric onto the back.
The fabric on the bookshelf! Doesn't it look great?
I had a little bit of problem because I thought my fabric would stretch when wet, but I think it shrunk just a little bit. Luckily, there are things going on my shelves so nobody sees the problem.
Here's my version of the painted bookshelf.
I really love it, and I've needed to get some chevron in my life.
It is a little busy, but since it's in a small area I don't mind it. It's a great pop of color and pattern.
*Edits*
This technique is temporary in that you can take it down without damaging the wall, but it will stay up as long as you like. In my last apartment I had some fabric up for about a year, and it probably would've stayed up for more if I had left it. It stays up quite nicely, and I never had to do any touch-ups.
When I was ready to take it down, I just peeled the fabric off the wall. It leaves a slight residue but it comes off with a little scrubbing with a wet cloth.
I forgot to mention that I got the fabric from Fabric.com. I had been eyeing it for awhile and finally gave in and got it. It was just perfect for what I had envisioned.


















That fabric is so cute! I have been wanting a rug, curtains, bedspread, SOMETHING in light blue chevron!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!! Love your blog btw!
ReplyDeletelove it!
ReplyDeleteHow AWESOME! This is an excellent idea...and I love the CHEVRON!
ReplyDeleteI'm new to your blog...and I think it's adorable. :)
Happy Thursday!
very cute! i love that chevron fabric too :) You have some great projects on your blog, I just became a follower!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!! What a great idea! I just used some paintable beadboard wallpaper on the back of one of my bookshelves to add a pop of color. I love the chevron though! I found you via UCreate! :-)
ReplyDeleteLove it! How long will it stay up?
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! Thank you so much for this tutorial. I've been wanting to do something with my glass front kitchen cabinets and now I know what to do!! Yay!
ReplyDeleteis this permanent? I would think the starch would stick for a good long while or leave a residue. But if not, I am definitely doing this as a temporary change in decor! :)
ReplyDeleteReally SUPER cute! Great idea! I love it!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove this! And, love that it's not permanent--thanks for sharing:)
ReplyDeleteCool technique. :) Love the fabric. where did you get it?
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome!! And so easy! I've been wanting to do this on my bookshelf for a long time, but was planning on wrapping fabric around cardboard and putting it in that way - this is way easier! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic! I love the idea and I think the pattern you chose looks great!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I've totally thought about doing something similar, but nothing seemed easy. Your tute is perfect and I will be using it!! Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteSuper cute! I love the Chevron stripes!
ReplyDeleteLove this! We are in the process of redoing our master bath. Doing it all on the cheap, DIY to put our home on the market. It is the only room yet to be made over. But we decided we wanted to move to the coast. Anyhoo, we made an recessed area in the wall where an awkward closet was, if we were going to stay here, I would mirror the back, but this idea is great. Less dollars spent and a fabulous effect. Thanks for the tutorial and for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'm in love with this project! What a fun way to add more color to a room....and easy enough to not scare this un-crafty girl away. Thanks for sharing your brilliance!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! I think you may have just inspired me to try this in my office.
ReplyDeleteJust found you on The Shine Project, and I'm your newest follower. I really enjoy your DIY ideas :)
~Tammy
That is great fabric that you used. Great directions. Visiting from Show and Tell Wednesday.
ReplyDelete~ Kimberlee at The Spunky Diva
Genius! What a difference that makes! I just made a skirt out of that same material. :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to have you share this at my link party, Show & Share!
http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/2011/08/show-share-3.html
That is a really cool idea. I'm trying to decide if any of my bookshelves would show fabric with all the books on them. You have some fantastic stuff here. I esp like the suit tutorials. I'm a new follower from Show and Share.:) I'm over at http://everydaygameplan.net
ReplyDeletewow, great job! it looks totally professional!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog via UCreate, and I love this idea! Perfect for apartment living for sure :) My dark-stain bookcase could use a lighter pop of color on it's cardboard backing.
ReplyDeleteI love this! Thanks for linking with us at Show & Share!
ReplyDeleteMarie
mylilpinkpocket.blogspot.com
What a great project! :) I've featured this post on Craft Gossip here:
ReplyDeletehttp://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/fabric-wallpaper-bookshelf-dress-up/
If you would like a "featured by" button, you can grab one here:
http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/grab-a-craft-gossip-button/
Lovely! A great tutorial! Thanks for posting this ^^
ReplyDelete/ Amanda
This is EXACTLY what I was hunting for today. I have two large built-ins and didn't want to do anything modge-podgy permanent. You are a genius! And I have tons of fabric to use! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteDoes this work on slightly textured walls?
ReplyDeleteYes! I've used it on cinder block and textured walls, and it works great!
DeleteA friend updated a headboard like this recently. It was the kind with a frame around the edges and she put fabric in the flat part in the middle. She wanted it permanent so she used spray adhesive to attach it, but didn't get it as neat as she wanted up against the frame. She's adding gimp to tidy it up and it's beautiful. There's a little matching nightstand with one drawer and she added the same fabric to the drawer front.
ReplyDeleteI have a little bookshelf/bench thing that I'm struggling with and I think fabric will be the way to finish it up!
Thanks for the idea and the info.
Jan
This is a fabulous idea! I was looking for a way to quickly update a plain Jane bookcase. I normally use paper and paint, but had some fabric on hand and wanted to know how I could make it work. A short Google search later, I found your site with this handy tip. Thanks for sharing. My new bookcase looks fabulous: http://www.freeupnow.com/2012/10/bookcase-made-fresh/. And it will look even better when I get around to painting it! Thanks for posting this wonderful tip! I shared your link on my blog and credited to you. :-)
ReplyDeleteJacque