Sabrinas Organizing

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home Organization
  • Healthy Recipes
  • DIY Home Projects
  • Browse Gift Ideas
  • Donate Stuff
  • Recycling Events 2025
  • Solution Consultations
  • Virtual Organizing
  • Disclosure Policy and Cookies
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home Organization
  • Healthy Recipes
  • DIY Home Projects
  • Browse Gift Ideas
  • Donate Stuff
  • Recycling Events 2025
  • Solution Consultations
  • Virtual Organizing
  • Disclosure Policy and Cookies
×
Home » Home Organization » DIY Projects For The Home » How to Improve a Cheap Bookcase

How to Improve a Cheap Bookcase

Last Modified: January 9, 2024 Sabrina Quairoli This blog uses cookies. It also has affiliate links. We earn sponsored content income.

Bookcases are great for storing items vertically in small spaces. It's awesome for small bedrooms and living spaces to keep the floor clear and safe (Affiliate Link) for people to walk. This week, we are sharing an easy way to improve a cheap bookcase (Affiliate Link).

Jump to:
  • Where I bought the cheap bookcase?
  • Tools you need to personalize a cheap bookcase:
  • How I personalized my cheap bookcase?
  • Cut to Size and Apply the Peel and Stick Wallpaper
  • Press out the air bubbles
  • Cut off the Excess Wallpaper
How to improve a cheap bookcase

The bookcase (Affiliate Link) was one I purchased for my son after we finished the cork flooring DIY project. It looked like we just needed one and not two bookcases in his room. So, I decided to replace a very old and worn-out bookcase (Affiliate Link) in my office closet. It was the same height but smaller in width, which worked better in the closet.

Where I bought the cheap bookcase?

This black bookcase (Affiliate Link) was bought at Target. To find affordable bookcases, you can pick them up at Walmart or Target.

Bookcase purchased from Target

Cost: $35.00 + peel and stick wallpaper ½ of a roll: This item was purchased a long time ago and I used the roll for many of my projects so there wasn't much cost for this.

Tools you need to personalize a cheap bookcase:

Exacto Knife (Affiliate Link)

Scissors

Credit card or scraper to remove bubbles

How I personalized my cheap bookcase?

Before assembling it, I decided to give it some bling with the peel-and-stick wallpaper (Affiliate Link). Below is one I found on Amazon (Affiliate Link) (affiliate). Note: If you click through and buy something, I will receive a small referral fee at no cost to you! Happy shopping!

Image of Peel and Stick Gold and White Geometric Wallpaper

Peel and Stick Gold and White Geometric Wallpaper

Buy Now →

(Affiliate Link)

Featured Links powered by

Before Picture of the Bookcase Backing

Below is the before picture of the backing. I had to cover two of them. They came separately.

Back panel before photo
Lay them out on the floor for easy access.

I laid them on the floor so I could attach the wallpaper easily.

Cut to Size and Apply the Peel and Stick Wallpaper

First, I cut it to size and allow about 1 inch of excess wallpaper. I will clean up the edges later.

I then applied the peel-and-stick wallpaper (Affiliate Link). And then cut a small strip of wallpaper. Again, allow about 1 inch or more on the outside to cut later. I made sure the wallpaper pattern was lined up so to create a seamless look. See the image below.

match patterns together if you need to use two strips of wallpaper to cover the backing
Line up the pattern to create a seamless look.

Press out the air bubbles

As I was adding the wallpaper, I pressed out all the air bubbles on both strips of paper. Some wallpaper patterns need to be overlapped to match up properly. If yours is like that, you can easily do that too. I used an edger for painting to remove the air bubbles, but you can use a plastic credit card. Be careful not to poke the wallpaper or create creases.

smooth out the airbubbles with a plastic credit card or something that is smooth
Remove air bubbles from the wallpaper as you apply it.

As you can see, I got as close as possible to this pattern. I found that no one can see it because there will be stuff in front of it. So, it did not bother me. The top image shows a more aligned pattern.

Be sure to match up the patterns

Cut off the Excess Wallpaper

After I applied both strips of wallpaper, I then used an Exacto Knife (Affiliate Link) and cut off the excess wallpaper. I stood up the panel and cut around the edges so as not to cut the carpet.

after both sides are on use an exacto knife to cut the excess off around the edges
Cut the excess wallpaper with an Exacto knife (Affiliate Link)

Then, I did the same to the other panel. Here is one of the panels. Looks pretty good, right?

Back panel after photo

Below is what the top half looked like after I assembled the bookcase (Affiliate Link). I did not add the shelves (Affiliate Link) yet. I love it! It really dresses it up. The bottom half looks the same as the top.

After bookcase picture with the wallpaper in the back
Finished bookcase (Affiliate Link)

Well, there you have it! The decorative bookcase (Affiliate Link) on a budget! I love it and am so happy with the storage space.

Now it is your turn, would you do this project? Have you done this before? Please leave your tips in the comment section below. I would love to hear from you.

Below are some posts I found online about upgrading bookshelves. Feel free to check them out.

24 DIY Bookcase Makeovers

Transform Plain Shelves with These Before-and-After Bookcase Makeover Ideas

  • week day organizers tips
    DIY Affordable Week Day Clothing Organizer - upcycling project
  • How to Make DIY Old Mason Jars to Hurricane Lamps - square image
    DIY Old Mason Jars to Hurricane Lamps
  • Three teacup candles - square image
    DIY TeaCup Candle Project
  • Bathroom Mason Jar Organizing
    How to Create a Bathroom Mason Jar Wall Organizer
How to improve a cheap bookcase
(Visited 3,209 times, 20 visits today)

More Easy DIY Home Organizing Projects You Can Do To Get Organized

  • How to Change a Tin Can into a marker bin square image - scissors and marker inside tin can
    How to Change a Tin Can into a Marker Bin
  • Cake Frosting Container to flower pot square image no title
    From a Used Cake Frosting Container to a Flower Pot
  • Title on the left hand side and tools on the right - hammer, level, drill, wrench - square image
    How to Create an Organizing Tool Box
  • Soup Can with Natural Cork Fabric DIY Project

About Sabrina Quairoli

I love sharing my passion for organizing life and home. I hope you get inspired when visiting my home organizing tips, quick weeknight recipes, party planning ideas, and DIY organizing projects. Visit the About Me page to read my story.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sabrina owner of Sabrina's Organizing and Admin Services

Hey, I'm Sabrina!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog, where you can find Home Organizing, Quick Weeknight Recipes, and DIY Craft Home Organizing Projects. Feel free to browse around to get motivated to improve your home life!

Learn More
Sabrina Morresi Quairoli Received the NAPO Certificate of Study for Essentials of Productivity - digital badge
Sabrina's Organizing Supporting individuals since 1997 BANNER 25 year banner
Ready to Streamline Your Home - Get this year's Declutter Challenge ebook for Free long image

Recent Posts

  • How to Organize Sportswear on a Shelf from Drab to Fab - before image
    How to Organize Sportswear on a Shelf

  • Yummy Curry Chicken Salad Recipe
    Yummy Curry Chicken Salad Recipe

  • How to Setup a Morning Routine square image
    How to Setup a Morning Routine

  • Two graduates boy and girl holding caps and title in center square image
    Practical Graduate Gift Ideas Your Student Will Love

Popular Posts

  • Yummy Curry Chicken Salad Recipe
  • Places To Donate Jewelry You Do Not Want
  • The Ultimate Cruise Packing List Everyone Needs
  • 43 Positive Mantra Sayings to Keep You on the…
  • This Year's Recycling and Shredder Events
  • 13 Ways to Make Your Bedroom An Oasis
  • Incredibly Easy Tips for Organizing An Older Adult's Home
  • Welcome to Sabrina's Organizing
  • 7 Book Storage Solutions For Small Spaces
  • Powerful Professional Organizer Advise For New Organizers
Get your free copy of our Home Management binder ebook
Get our Holiday Season Planner to help you save money and time with free checklists and Printables to make this season amazing

Amazon Disclosure

Sabrina's Organizing blog 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.

Sabrina’s Organizing Web Stories

Click on this badge to learn about what this badge means on NAPO.net

Sabrina's Organizing & Admin Services Registered & Insured through 2025

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About Me
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy and Cookies
  • Google Analytics Privacy Statement and Opt-Out Option
Sabrina's Organizing Supporting individuals since 1997 BANNER 25 year banner

Newsletter and Certifications

  • Sign Up for emails and updates
  • 2024 NAPO Business Stamp of Approval
Sabrina Morresi-Quairoli received Essentials of Productivity Certificate of Study from NAPO.

Contact

  • Contact
  • Solution Consultations
  • Virtual Organizing Consults
  • Write for Us
Productivity and Organizing Blog Carnival Ultimate Star Blogger Member

Sabrina's Organizing,  Sabrina's Admin Services, Organizing on a Dime, and Recipes to Chew On blogs by Sabrina Morresi-Quairoli is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2011-2025. Sabrina's Organizing Blog content by Sabrina Morresi-Quairoli is licensed. Based on work at Sabrina’s Organizing blog, social media content, and newsletters shared, permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available when contacting me.

Manage Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}