DIY Bookshelf

Originally, the dining room had a wall beside the counter space connecting to the kitchen. After the remodel, I wanted to make the most of the dead space without taking up too much floor space. I also wanted to create a functional dining room that would serve multiple purposes-- not just dining. Our dining room was often ignored. We were not even enjoying meals on the table. It was a waste of space.

I was on the hunt for tall bookshelves with a small width as I wanted to ensure there was enough floor space for mobilization. After searching for what felt like forever, I came across an ad on FB marketplace with the perfect bookshelves-- and they had TWO! Fast forward: went to go pick them up and brought them home. 

Clean: 

I got straight to work! The first thing I did was clean the bookshelves. I used dawn dish soap with hot water and a small towel. All the grease and grime must be completely removed before priming. 

Sand lightly:

Next, I lightly sanded both bookshelves. After sanding, I wiped them down with a tack cloth to remove the residue.

Prime:

I used a roller to prime the bookshelves. There is only one primer that I use that has proven to pass the test of time (I painted my kitchen cabinets using this primer-- linked below)

Paint + sand

I went with Benjamin Moore Vintage Vogue. After the primer dried, I began to paint. I highly recommend using a paint sprayer, but you could use a roller or paint brush. Once you finished all your painting, let it dry then do a light sand (220 grit) all over.  Wipe it down with a tack cloth and you're ready for sealing!

Seal

If your piece is located in an area that will be frequently used, I highly recommend sealing. I recommend testing a spot before spreading it everywhere. 

My husband created an extension for both bookshelves and added trim. In this picture you can see how the trim and extensions are what really give it the custom/ built-in look. 

My husband marked where I wanted the sconce to be mounted and made a hole. I wanted the sconce to be low enough where the Edison bulb would light up the shelves. At first he suggested to center it in the middle, but I opted to go a bit lower than the middle because I did not want the bulb against the wood--blocking the light. He converted a hard-wired sconce into a plugin to use with a switch outlet. We have an on/off switch for it. 

Sand, prime, and paint the trim and extension. You can paint the trim before installing them, but I personally rather paint it when it's on the bookshelf.