We have seen this idea a few times and are even considering it for our own space – adding fabric to a bookcases to create color, depth and texture. If you are looking for a ways to add an accent to your space or want to forego paint or wallpaper, this idea is a perfect and easy DIY...
Here are a some bookcases and fabric that would be a great for this DIY. Just take your measurements of the unit, get a nail gun and some glue and – voila – a bookcase makeover that will make over your room too!
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Nice idea. But I wouldn't fill the bookcase with books then. To uneasy.
I love that peacock fabric! But yeah - I wouldn't want to hide it by putting anything on the shelves.
This is pretty easy to do with KD bookcases that have backs as well - such as IKEA's Billy - using paint or wallpaper to decorate the back panel before attaching it to the bookcase.
also a nice idea for the expedit! i think i just might do this with mine. we have a shoe molding so the don't rest up against the wall, and there's some weirdness with the shadows. this will look really nice.
This was done in the room I recently stayed at in the new W Atlanta Midtown hotel:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kcweiss/2526887218/in/set-72157605271844452/
I liked the metallic wallpaper there, but not sure I'd want something that loud in my own bedroom.
I really like this idea. If you did this to a bookshelf, and then used the shelves more for display purposes than anything else--a few scattered books, some ceramics, etc. it would work nicely.
Of course, I can't afford to not stuff my bookshelves to the brim with books.
I have a vintage steel barrister bookcase in my home office. I wanted to cut down on the amount of gray in the room, so I lined the back with a natural-colored grasscloth wallpaper. It's most noticeable behind the shelf I use for display, but it also looks fantastic peeking out from behind books on the other shelves.
Really lightens the look of what could be an oppressively heavy piece...
I was just thinking about doing something like this for my 2x4 Expedit!
I have leftover fabric for a chair I just reupholstered, and I have some short bookshelves. Do you think if I used the same fabric it would be really too matchy-matchy?