Repurposing old furniture is one of the best ways to keep them out of landfills. It’s also a way for you to add a “new” piece of decor to your home without adding a lot of extra expense.
If you have an old bookcase lying around that you don’t know what to do with, then pay attention, because this is your DIY jam.
These 60 genius bookcase makeovers are all you need to repurpose ugly particle board shelves into accent pieces that are pretty, practical, and totally fab!
This fun little patio bar can be used to serve everything from cocktails to soda, and it’s one of the easiest ways to reuse an old bookcase. In this case, it’s as easy as using the back of the bookcase as the table top. Spray paint it with a washed-out blue or gray color to give it a rustic barnyard look.
Learn more about how to craft this cool DIY here.
2) 2-in-1 Bookcase & Headboard
If you live in a tiny apartment or home, problems with finding storage space can be a really big deal. Going vertical and maximizing every available square inch is usually the way to go.
This creative bookcase headboard does both, and it’s the perfect way to add space without sacrificing valuable floor real estate. Check out this tutorial to find out how to turn a bookcase into a this fun cute cubby-hole headboard.
3) Coffee Table + Storage Chest
This bookcase coffee table does double duty as both a table and a storage chest! Even better, the tabletop part is decorated with different colored yardsticks, which makes it a double whammy in the upcycled DIY world.
Follow the step-by-step instructions here to learn how to make one of these unique coffee tables for your home.
4) Perfect Little Container Garden
Our love affair with container gardens is stronger than ever before, and this bookcase container garden fills that need in a very tidy and organized way.
No need to worry about whether or not your tomatoes and your cukes are touching each other! The “shelves” of this bookcase planter keeps your veggies separated, yet they’re still in one convenient little place.
5) Toy Locker For The Kiddos
Give a standard bookcase a massive makeover by transforming it into this charming bookcase locker for your kids. It’s a neat way for them to store their toys, backpacks, and other supplies.
It’s easy to make – just skip the assembly instructions on that IKEA bookcase and follow this DIY instead.
Making a dollhouse from scratch can get complicated real quick. Why not skip all the steps and just grab an old bookcase!
Each little cubbie is already its own room, and it’s a cinch to customize. Just use wrapping paper for the wallpaper, and make a faux roof with yarn and pushpins on the wall.
7) Dreamy Dress Up Closet
If you have a little girl or boy, this dreamy dress up closet is something they will absolutely adore. It’s a great way to keep all their costumes and accessories organized in one place, and you can even paint it their favorite color to make it all their own.
Putting a bookcase hutch in your backyard might seem tacky at first. But, if you do it the right way, it can actually compliment your garden decor. Not only does it add a rustic farmhouse appeal, but it’s perfect for storing your plants and gardening tools, too.
Convert an IKEA bookcase and butcher block into kitchen island that can store practically anything. Now you can keep snacks, recipe books, and cooking ingredients all in one convenient place!
Follow the DIY instructions here to learn how to make this cool IKEA bookcase hack.
Give an old bookcase new life by converting it into a storage locker for your mudroom. The shelves and partitions are perfect for hanging hats, coats, hats, backpacks, and of course muddy boots!
Follow these instructions on how to make this mudroom locker here.
This cute bookcase turned nursery closet has everything you need to keep your little munchkin’s baby stuff all in one handy place. There’s space for a dowel rod to hang baby clothes, and baskets at the can be used to store little things like pacifiers and toys.
Give your kitchen a simple makeover by turning a couple of bookcases into a freestanding pantry. The built-in shelves are a win when it comes to organizing your dry goods, and if you want glass doors to complete the look, it’s fairly easy to add.
Check out this step-by-step tutorial for more info on this clean and simple DIY.
Little boys (or girls) will love this adorable bookshelf that looks like a barn! It has everything that a working toy barn needs – tractors, stuffed animal horses, and of course, green John Deere paint.
Follow this tutorial to learn how to build this bookcase barn.
Do you remember playing with an Easy Bake oven when you were a kid? Well, now your kids can have that – plus more!
A mini bookcase is the perfect height to turn this full-fledged toy kitchen into lots of home-cooked fun. It comes with everything they need to get started, including a stove, sink, microwave, oven, and even the obligatory basket of fruit.
15) Farmer’s Market Stand
Pretending to do grown-up things is something that almost all kids love to do. This pretend farmer’s market stand is a great way for them to use their imagination, while also learning about things like money and responsibility.
16) Bookcase Reading Bench
This all-in-one bookcase bench is perfect to use as a reading nook by a big bay window. Just take a bookcase and flip it on its side, then add some padding on the top using your favorite fabric and pillow stuffing.
17) Rolling Craft Storage Cart
This rolling craft cart makes storing your crafts super easy. Just add some wheels to the bottom of a bookshelf and put some handles on the side.
The cubbies in this cute apothecary bookcase may be tiny, but there’s plenty of them! Each little drawer is perfect for storing your favorite essential oils, jewelry, and more.
Find out how to make this rustic apothecary bookcase conversion here.
Bring the playground to your backyard with this genius bookcase turned sandbox! Pour sand into the larger section, and store things like plastic shovels and pails in the smaller one.
Check out the DIY instructions for this sandbox upcycle here.
Ditch the closet door and put a pivoting bookcase in front of it instead. This isn’t the easiest upcycle in this list, but it’s by far the coolest! It can be used as a mini panic room, storage for valuables, or even as a secret retreat to get away from family.
You can find very detailed instructions on this bookcase upcycle here.
21) Wall-To-Wall Shoe Storage
If you love shoes as much as most women do, then this bookcase storage solution is definitely for you! It’s as easy as moving a few bookcases into a walk-in closet. Then you’ll have plenty of room to organize your collection by color, type, and heel height.
This sofa table is almost too easy to make. All you have to do is flip a bookcase on its side, slide it behind the couch, and there you have it – instant bookcase table!
If you have kids, you may have seen stuffed animal zoo’s making the rounds on Pinterest. They’re totally cute, but if you’re strapped for space, you can make a mini zoo right inside a bookcase! The secret to keeping the animals from escaping is good old bungee cord.
This clever contraption not only stores books, but it’s also functions as a study desk! It’s like having a library right in your home!
Get all the details on this cute DIY here.
Maximize storage space by repurposing a bookcase as a bed frame. Place two bookcases on each side of the bed, and then lay a series of wooden slats over the top to make the frame.
Find out more about how to make this clever bed frame here.
Glamorize an ordinary bookcase with this wine rack makeover. Who needs a basement wine cellar when you can store and display your favorite vintage out in the open!
Want to know how to make this? Follow this step-by-step tutorial here.
27) Bookcase Entertainment Center
Want to maximize your living room space without having a huge entertainment center take up the entire room? Then look no further than this simple bookcase TV stand.
Instead of shelling out lots of money to put a down payment on this expensive Barbie house, make your own with a standard bookcase. This multi-level home will give the little girl or boy in your life lots of room to play and explore.
Read this tutorial here for instructions on how to make this very pink Barbie home.
29) Hidden Bookcase Pantry
This bookcase pantry fits right in an unused corner, and since it’s so slim, it hardly takes up any extra room. If you don’t want to stare at your canned goods all day, add a door for a clean, uncluttered look.
Bookcases by themselves usually aren’t much to look at. But, with a little DIY know-how, you can transform a boring old bookcase into a very sweet looking bench! This one even has wheels, which makes it super easy to position right under a huge bay window.
Get all the details on how to make this bookcase bench right here.
31) Under Bed Storage Drawer
This sliding under-the-bed storage unit looks like it came from a gigantic dresser, but it’s actually just a bookcase that’s just made to look like a drawer. It’s a fun way to add more storage to your bedroom without taking up any extra space.
The DIY for this cute bookcase drawer conversion can be found right here.
If you have an unused media cabinet lying around, give it an upgrade by adding a couple of old dresser drawers. Your kids will love having their own special place to hold their favorite DVD’s and toy figurines.
Click this link to find out how to make this media cabinet bookshelf for your kiddo’s room
Sometimes you just want a bookcase to function as a bookcase. But, if your bookcase is looking a little bland, give it a rustic makeover by ripping off the back and replacing it with reclaimed wood.
34) Multi-Storage Accent Piece
It’s hard to believe that this gorgeous accent piece with multiple storage drawers was made from an old bookcase! It just goes to show that with a little bit of creativity, you can transform any piece of furniture into a fabulous show piece.
Get all the details on this fabulous DIY right here.
To give an old bookcase a much-needed facelift, attach a couple of paint-worn shutter doors to the front. It instantly adds a touch of charming, country cottage appeal.
The numbers, towel racks, and individual cubbies on this cute bookcase “locker” make you feel like you’re in high school gym class all over again. This locker will fit right in if you have a large shared bathroom, or it could even be used to hold everyone’s coats, purses, and backpacks.
If you have an old bookcase lying around, flip it into a romantic Victorian-era dollhouse! Who doesn’t love playing with miniature teacups and thumb-sized furniture? This is just too cute!
38) Classic Bookcase Makeover
It’s easy to turn a mousy brown bookcase into a classic-looking piece that adds instant value to your home. Just add decorative trim and some matte black paint, and it’ll make your bookcase look more expensive than it actually is.
Check out these instructions here to learn more.
Most people would jump at the chance to have a real cherry wood bookcase in their home. It seems like a crime to give that beautiful luster a coat of grey paint, but you’ll probably agree that the end result is farmhouse fab!
40) Industrial Cabinet Hack
When it comes to bookcase upgrades, IKEA’s “Billy” bookcase seems to top everyone’s DIY list. Who can blame them, especially when you can covert a plain white bookcase into this cool, industrial-looking cabinet.
Get all the details on this IKEA bookcase hack here.
This “farmhouse pretty” bookcase would be a great addition to little boy or girl’s room. So go grab some paint, 1×2 and 1×4 pieces of wood, and get ready to make magic with some good old fashioned elbow grease!
This tutorial right here explains how to make this super easy DIY.
This rolling bookcase cart makes it easy to move all your crafts from room to room. The addition of color-coordinated storage baskets make organization a breeze!
This step-by-step tutorial here has all the instructions you need.
This pretty armoire looks like it’d be right at home in a French country cottage. But, you don’t have to go to France or own a country cottage to add this stunning piece to your home. All you need to do is add some decorative doors to a standard bookcase
44) Bookcase Headboard Bench
This bookcase headboard looks clunky and useless when it’s not guarding a bed, but it’s actually a DIY dream! If you’re lucky enough to have one or you find one at a yard sale, hang onto it so you can upcycle it into this gorgeous little bench.
This bookcase craft table is worthy of being featured as a DIY at Michael’s JoAnn’s! Pop a piece of wood on top of two bookcases, which hold up the table by doubling as the “legs.” Now you can organize all of your crafts and do some DIY work in the exact same space.
This tutorial right here explains how you can get started.
Do you have little ones running around who can’t reach up high to hang their coats in the mudroom? Then make this mini version especially for them! All you need is a short bookcase and some cute baskets to hold their shoes.
47) Mini Kitchen Island Stand
If you don’t have space in your kitchen for a full-sized island, this cute mini version still holds everything you need to get your cooking game on! The wood slab on top makes this kitchen island both pretty and practical.
Get all the details on how to make this fun little bookcase island right here.
Give a dingy bookcase a bright new look by applying a couple of coats of striped paint. If you can’t figure out what to do with it after the paint has dried, then stick it in your bathroom and use it as a linen sand!
49) Give It A Pop Of Color
Sometimes all you need is a little bit of color to make an old bookcase look brand new again. This was just a boring, cookie-cutter piece of furniture before a pop of red paint made it really stand out!
Here’s another way to give an yard-sale bookcase an instant makeover without spending a lot of money. All you have to do is apply a few coats of your favorite paint!
Brighten up a bookcase with some of fabric. You might be surprised how easy it is to make this fun, Mod Podge decoupage project! It’ll add instant charm to any room.
52) Bookcase Headboard Sofa Table
Don’t throw that old bookcase headboard away! With a little bit of paint and elbow grease, it can be transformed into a very unique sofa table.
If you love how this looks, then check out the tutorial for this project right here.
What do an unfinished bookcase, crown molding, and wood glue have in common? They’re pretty much all you need to create this charming country cupboard!
Get all the instructions for this makeover right here.
It’s amazing how a couple of old doors can give a ho-hum bookcase an instant antique look! The dings, chips, and cracks in the door add to the overall charm, so don’t try to sand them away.
It’s amazing what a little chalky white paint and wrapping paper can do. What started out as a cheap bookcase turned into something that looks totally fab!
56) Vintage Barrister Style Bookcase
This oak barrister-style bookcase doesn’t look like much all on its own. But, if you bust out a can of Sherwin-Williams paint in Iron Ore, it’ll give it a classy, vintage look!
57) Target Decoupage Bookcase
What a perfect way to give your bookcase a fun new look! This decoupage project is made from the pages of real books, so you’re actually repurposing two things at the same time.
Find out more about this project right here.
If your cat is climbing on your bookcase and knocking stuff onto the floor, give him his own designated bookshelf to use as a cat tree! Add some scratch-friendly fabric and your cat will be crawling all over his new toy.
Turn a bookcase into a lazy Susan for all your beauty needs. Attach a mirror on one side, and hooks for your hats on the other. When you line the shelves, just make sure you put heavier items, like shoes, on the bottom. Since this is so tall, you don’t want it to fall over from being top heavy!
Here’s another goodie for all the DIY craft-lovers out there. If you’ve outgrown your craft bin, then flip a bookcase on its side and use it to store all your fabric. Use particle board to add a couple of smaller sized cubby-holes – it’s perfect for storing miscellaneous scraps!