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one color-block bookcase styled two ways…

One Color-Block Book Shelf Styled Two Ways... / via Oh Joy!

One Color-Block Book Shelf Styled Two Ways... / via Oh Joy!

Happy Monday! Today, we're showing you how to give a plain bookcase a fun color-block makeover! But that's not all. We're also showing you two different ways to style it, AND we're showing you a fun wall mural in the process. This is one you don't want to miss. First, let's paint the bookcase of your dreams. Check it out…

One Color-Block Book Shelf Styled Two Ways... / via Oh Joy!

You'll need…
bookshelf
– paint (pinkcoralmintlight sagedark green)
– paint brush
– painters tape
polyacrylic

Here's how…
1. With painters tape, tape off the front of the cabinet.
2. Paint each cube a different color, let dry. You'll likely need to do two coats of each color.
3. Let fully dry.
4. Spray with polyacrylic to seal.

One Color-Block Book Shelf Styled Two Ways... / via Oh Joy!

Now that you've got your bookcase, it's time to style the space! We styled two rooms with it – one as a children's playroom and another as a sophisticated seating area. For both rooms, we decided to keep the art simple so that the peach mural could be the star of the show. To create the mural, we traced a thin outline on the wall and then painted it in. 

One Color-Block Book Shelf Styled Two Ways... / via Oh Joy!

Here, we have the kid's playroom! The color-block bookcase is a major focal piece. The painted shelves add a really fun and playful element to the space! We didn't want to completely cover the color within the painted shelves, so we made sure not to fill them too full. 

One Color-Block Book Shelf Styled Two Ways... / via Oh Joy!

We used the bookcase as a cubby for toys, books, and games. We love it because it helps keep toys organized and clutter at bay while also being pretty to look at. It also makes it easy for kids to put their things away because every item has its own cube!

One Color-Block Book Shelf Styled Two Ways... / via Oh Joy!

We kept the artwork simple with a fun giraffe photograph on a white background, and then we added in lots of fun pillows, stools, and rugs to make the space cozy for kids.

Sources shown: Benjamin Moore Snow White paint, Benjamin Moore Springtime Peach paint, The Animal Print Shop giraffe print, vintage green rug, Lorena Canals neutral rug, Target large purple floor pillow, Natti Natti dotted floor pillow*, Target white round pillow, Castle round gold pillow, Anthropologie stripe pillow, Manhattan Toy Company wooden house, World Market wooden fire house, Little Lights rainbow light, Kiko wooden camera, Meri Meri doll, Target sailor doll, Oh Joy! DIY pom bin, Sleepy King pink alpaca, Miniso wooden cars (in-store only), Ikea wooden truck, Pink Linen Designs wooden rainbow cut out*, Petit Collage feelings memory game, Grandin Road peacock chair, Target round shag pillow, Castle round blue pillow, Meri Meri flamingo plush, Ikea stools (painted), Target kids table.

One Color-Block Book Shelf Styled Two Ways... / via Oh Joy!

Now, here we have a seating area that grown-ups will love as well! As you can see, we kept a lot of the larger elements the same – the rugs, peach wall mural, and fun bookcase. Styling with a lot of colors doesn't have to feel young. You can make it sophisticated with a little bit of whimsy…it's all in the details! For example, chic gold always makes a space feel more mature, so we brought in lots of gold with the end tables and lamp.

One Color-Block Book Shelf Styled Two Ways... / via Oh Joy!

For this room, we filled the bookcase with books, vases, candles, and other pretty odds and ends. We love a color-coordinated bookcase, so we filled each cubby with objects that matched the interior color.

One Color-Block Book Shelf Styled Two Ways... / via Oh Joy!

Again, we kept the artwork minimal with just one piece hanging on the wall. To make sure we didn't cover the mural, we leaned a few smaller pieces up against the wall on top of the bookshelf. It adds texture and interest but lets the mural shine!
 
Sources shown: Urban Outfitters glass top end table, vintage table lamp, Lulie Wallace painting, Target rattan chair, Target round shag pillow, Anthropologie striped pillow, Target gold drum tables, Anthropologie lady vase, Carolyn Suzuki swimmer notebook, Carolyn Suzuki ladies notebook, Anthropologie mini white canister, Poketo dashed canister, Target large vase, West Elm black wave container, Society 6 color block print by Colour Poems*, Target gold elephant, Target bud vase, Jenny Vorwaller small abstract painting, West Elm green tall vase, Anthropologie green floral vase, Anthropologie large green canister, Target mirror, Grandin Road peacock chair, West Elm brown velvet pillow,  West Elm round purple pillow, Sarah Sherman Samuel x Lulu & Georgia lumbar pillow, Lorena Canals neutral rug, vintage green rug.

{Photos by Lily Glass, Concept/Production/Styling by Julia Wester, Production Assistance by Jess Hong. Written by Traci Michael.}

9 comments

  1. Did I miss where the actual bookshelf is from?
    I LOVE this DIY project! I’m obsessed with color and especially with color-coordinated bookshelves…I love both of your versions.

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