Scavenger Chic

Preschool Bookshelf Makeover

• By Joan
• June 12, 2024
• 5 Comments

Preschool Bookshelf Makeover

I didn’t even know I was looking for a bookshelf until I came upon this little cutie waiting for me next to a neighborhood dumpster.  It looks like the nearby preschool was cleaning house.

While the bookshelf is not old, that is way too nice, and too sturdy a piece of furniture to be headed for the dump.

A brand new Lakeshore Furniture Storage Unit sells for $499.

Granted, my bookshelf had old stickers and adhesive all over it,  but a little Goo Gone goes a long way.  I don’t think you could hurt these bookshelves if you tried.

The bookshelf looked so good once all the stickers were removed I could have easily been finished with the project and had a brand new $500 book shelf.  The only problem with the bookshelf would be that that yellow wood color would always remind me of a classroom.

I cut scrap wood pieces to fit inside the cubbies in the ends of the top shelf.  I’m also going to use another salvaged piece of molding for the center portion of the top shelf.

Sand all the surfaces with a medium grit sand paper to remove the slick glossy surface.  You want to give your paint something to stick to.

Use thin pieces of wood lath to trim out the door pieces.  I’m using wood shutter slats, they do the same job as the lath but these have been primed and the edges have already been rounded for me.  Sand the cut edges .Attach the trim to the door with construction adhesive.

Use T hinges to attach your doors to the top end cubbies.

Paint as desired.  I’m using black chalk paint which gives  fantastic coverage in one coat but you will have to seal the paint with a clear or vintage wax.

This is after the wax has been applied which gives the paint a slight luster.

Add knobs to your doors and possibly magnetic closures if the doors don’t stay shut on their own and you could be finished.

I could have been finished but I wanted a wood top.  My only candidate in my scrap pile was this leaf from an old dining table.  Unfortunately it was a few inches too short.  

I was not deterred,  I had another leaf from the same table.  All I had to do was add a few inches to my bookshelf top.

Sand off the old finish.  Fine sandpaper did nothing to penetrate the hard finish of the leaf, I had to switch to 120 grit sandpaper.  Do a final sanding with a finer grit such as 240.

Instead of adding 4 inches to one side which would just make the top look like it was too short (which it was) I added 2 inches to both sides of the top which now makes the ends look more like a design choice.  Fill all the cracks and holes with wood putty.  Use wood glue to attach the ends.  I have some long clamps but not that long, they would have come in really handy at this point.  The smaller clamps make sure the 2 pieces are level as they dry.

While the glued on ends work, I wasn’t totally convinced that was the look I was going for.

I wanted something to cover up my seams.

I thought of purchasing a metal  shelf bracket to cover up my seams.  They would have looked great but I knew I could do better (and cheaper).

How about a black leather belt?  I didn’t have one long enough. 🙁 

Back to my shutter slats.  Perfect length, spray painted black and glued on with additional construction adhesive. These are finished off with 1 inch upholstery tacks leftover from this mirror.

I love the way the shutter slats hide the seams of the wood.  

The top is finished the same way as the maple dresser from a few weeks ago with stain followed by a few coats of  Danish oil in a dark walnut finish.

All ready to be used as a sofa table,  an entry table or a stand alone bookshelf.

You would never know that just a few short months ago this was used in a preschool.

Until next time, stay inspired.

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