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Working On My Office – Bookcase Makeover

By Manuela Williams

Hi everyone! I’ve been battling some horrible sinus something for the past week or so but finally feel better and was able to get a little project finished in my  guest bedroom into office/craft room makeover. I’m so excited!

bookcase makeover

Sometimes you have to make a big mess so you can organize things. Which is the case here!

messy desk before photo

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to Amazon and/or Etsy, which means that I may earn a small commission from some of the links in this post. Please see our Disclosure Page for more information.

I took everything off my bookcase so I could 1) move it over and 2) go through things and see what I had and what I wanted to do with it.

bookcase backed with toile paper

This is one of two Ikea bookcases that used to be in living room (that’s why there’s toile paper on the back).

aqua houndstooth giftwrap

I had this roll of gift wrap that I thought would look nice on the back and hoped I had enough!  So I took the toile paper off (it’s just up with double stick tape).

Ikea bookcase

I had just enough paper with a bit to spare! The aqua hounds-tooth gift wrap  is put up with double stick tape .  Some of the shelves are stationery so I had to cut individual pieces for the backing which required measuring and trimming with an exacto knife. But overall it’s a very simple process and I’m so happy that the blue of the paper works beautifully with the blue of the chair I repainted for this space.

I have to put everything back on the bookcase but I want to re-organize things. Not everything will go back on this particular bookcase – I’m going to get a shorter one to put my printer on and to put more office supply type things in that one.

wooden bin that organizes craft paint

A few organizing things that I wanted to show you. I got this neat wooden bin with divided areas for my craft paint/glitter/etc. It has cut out handles so it’s easy to grab and take to where ever I might be crafting! Cause if it’s a beautiful day, I’ll craft outside on the porch!

acrylic file sorter organizes scrapbook paper

I don’t have a lot of scrapbook paper anymore so what I do have is organized in an acrylic file sorter. If I see another one at the thriftstore I’ll pick it up in case I get more scrapbook paper. I like to organize my scrapbook paper by color.

wooden box with knob

This little drawer holds my different types of twine and some other little odds and ends.  Isn’t that knob cute!

I have a lots organizing to do and at some point I’m going to have to repaint that room. My husband pulled some of the wallboard off detaching the headboard from the wall. Plus I had forgotten I had painted some words on the wall (which I had covered up with a picture). Which is a bummer because I wasn’t  planning on painting at all! But none of that is happening until the end of the year.

So back to organizing!

 

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Filed Under: Fluffing my nest Tagged With: before & after, bookcases, Ikea, office makeover, organizing ideas, scrapbook paper

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Comments

  1. Diana says

    April 8, 2013 at 5:14 pm

    Your crafting room is really shaping up! I love your bird pictures on the wall — and the divided box to hold your paints. I’m going to have to keep my eyes open for something similar. I want to get an inexpensive additional picnic table to put in the back of our driveway (is shady in the afternoons in the summer and sunny in the winter) for me and the grandkids to do crafts and paint on.

  2. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    April 8, 2013 at 5:25 pm

    It sounds like you are moving right along on your craft room, Manuela! I like to organize my scrapbook paper by color, too, although I have a lot! : ) I use those plastic storage drawers for mine and labeled each drawer with the colorway {otherwise I’d never find anything}. When we moved it was a good opportunity for me to go through all my craft and sewing supplies. There was stuff I found that I had forgotten all about. I’ve been limiting what I buy now and am trying to use what I’ve got before I bring more stuff into my little room.

  3. Glenda says

    April 8, 2013 at 5:38 pm

    Like the bookcase redo. You are incorporating a lot of good ideas into your new space.
    Have a great week.

  4. Theresa H. Roach says

    April 8, 2013 at 7:01 pm

    My day was pretty busy and I didn’t get nearly enough accomplished:) Looks like you are really getting organized! Have a blessed week dear friend, HUGS!

  5. Brenda Kula-Pruitt says

    April 8, 2013 at 8:21 pm

    Looking great so far, Manuela! When I see wrapping paper in places like Hobby Lobby, I think of you using it for backs of things like this.
    Brenda

  6. Rhonda says

    April 8, 2013 at 8:24 pm

    I like the keeping it real part- I have messes and piles too but I try to deal with them as soon as I can. Sometime it is quick and sometimes it is not.

    you did an amazing job matching those houndteeth.
    Hope you have lots of time to be creative in your new craft room

  7. kathleen grace says

    April 8, 2013 at 8:57 pm

    Very cute redo, doesn’t it always feel great to get things organized!?

    • Manuela says

      April 9, 2013 at 3:02 pm

      Yes, it does. Although I wish I could pay someone to do it 🙂

  8. Anonymous says

    April 9, 2013 at 9:43 am

    Beautiful bookcase! Yes, I agree with you about the mess, I am going through the same thing right now. 🙂 I have a new weekly link party which is live now and I would love if you stop by and link up this wonderful post! Hope to see you there! http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/ Hugs, Maria

    • Manuela says

      April 9, 2013 at 3:02 pm

      Hi Maria, it looks like a great party! Thanks for invite!

  9. Tracey says

    April 9, 2013 at 12:37 pm

    So cute Manuela! I’m glad you’re feeling. Better, sinus infections are aweful!
    Love,
    Tracey
    XoX

    • Manuela says

      April 9, 2013 at 2:57 pm

      Thank you Tracey! I’m fortunate that I rarely get sick.

      Hope all is well with you!

  10. Melanie says

    April 9, 2013 at 2:02 pm

    Happy organizing…I love how you used the wrapping paper for the back of the bookcase. Great idea!

  11. cindy says

    April 9, 2013 at 7:30 pm

    Looking good! I love the fresh feel that the houndstooth paper gave the bookshelf, it looks wonderful. I look forward to seeing this room finished!

  12. Penny @ The Comforts of Home & Flea Market Makeovers says

    April 10, 2013 at 2:11 pm

    Loved the toile backing and love the new blue backing too! It looks so fresh and cheerful.

  13. Dawn says

    April 13, 2013 at 9:34 am

    What a great way to update your bookcase. Love the new color. Thanks for sharing at the Cabin:)

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A Cultivated Nest makes no claims of “expert status” and the owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the use of the information found on this website. Posts may contain affiliate links. A Cultivated Nest is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. A Cultivated Nest is also a participant in the Etsy affiliate program via Awin. This means that I may earn a small commission from some of the links in my posts. Please see our Disclosure Page for more information.

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