Scavenger Chic

Dump Find Bookcase Makeover with Reclaimed Wood

• By Joan
• October 11, 2023
• 2 Comments

Dump Find Bookcase Makeover with Reclaimed Wood

Last week I found a fantastic bookshelf just laying discarded next to a dumpster. I wasn’t looking for a bookcase, I wasn’t even dumpster diving. I was just grocery shopping, and  it was just sitting next to the dumpster staring at me.  It was solid wood, kind of beaten up, but it had tons of potential.  It came home with me.

The bookcase above is not that bookcase.  This is another dump find, solid wood bookcase, very beaten up, with loads of potential.  Before I could get started on my new bookcase makeover, I needed to write up this one. Some people bring home orphaned pets, I bring home orphaned bookcases.

This little guy just needed a loving, caring home.

I sanded the outside of the bookcase thoroughly, getting rid of any remaining  varnish, water rings, scratches and discoloration.

The inside of the bookcase received a coat of black paint.  Even though the back of the bookcase is getting wooden slats, paint there as well.  Any gaps between the slats will just look like a shadow peeking through.

For the backing of my bookcase I’m using some of these lead laden 😥 , chippy paint 😆 , slats of wood I also rescued from a dump. They are the same pieces I used for the twin headboards, and my other bookcase.  I still have a few pieces to use up, so you might be seeing them one more time.

There are other things I could use for the backing of the bookcase including, wallpaper, paint, beadboard or metal.  I created a new Pinterest board with bookcase makeovers to give you more ideas.  You can find it here.

I attached the wood slats with builders adhesive and finished the slats the same way I did the twin headboards, with 4 coats of a clear spray varnish and 2 additional coats of clear wax.  The chippy lead won’t be going anywhere.

Note:  Also use precaution cutting lead painted items.  Cut the boards outside and wear a mask.  Don’t sand the boards as that will release all the lead into the air.

I believe I used enough of the builders adhesive, but just in case, I nailed 2 additional trim pieces into the corners of the bookcase to make sure none of the boards would pop off randomly.

This bookshelf did have strips  along the sides to hold bookshelf clips but I couldn’t find the right size to fit into the holes.

 Next best thing, create your own shelf supports out of scrap wood and nail to the sides.

You may have noticed that my found book shelf had no shelves . These shelves are created from the side rails from an old bed.  Yes, these too were a dump find.

What better project to restore the finish on the old side rails than with Restor A Finish?

I did realize, a little too late, that while I showed you the final shelf makeover, I never took pictures of the outside of the shelf. 

The exterior wood was finished with 3 coats of Watco Danish oil in a dark walnut finish.  Rub on the finish with a rag, let dry, repeat.  If there are any rough spots, buff with fine steel wool.

The final before and after of my bookcase makeover….I do like a good before and after!

As always, stay inspired.

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