Before & After: Bland Bookshelves Become a Crisp Credenza

published Dec 28, 2015

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Two wooden bookshelves with two shelves each, labeled "Before," placed outdoors on a concrete surface. — (Image credit: Submitted by Maggie)

I love to build things and have built all kinds of shelving, but I admit I’m all for a shortcut that makes my life easier (and in this case cheaper). These $10 garage sale bookshelves I found are solid wood, well-built and side by side were the perfect size to create a credenza. There is no way I could have built them myself for $10, the wood alone would have cost at least $50, not to mention the time and labor.

(Image credit: Submitted by Maggie)

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Knowing these guys would help me save time and money, with the easy addition of paint, trim, and tapered legs, I created a mid-century credenza for a fraction of the price. In the end the entire project cost me under $40 and only a minimal amount of work, mostly in the painting.

I think this garage sale find really paid off.

Thank you, Maggie!

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