Add Interest to a Bookcase with Wallpaper

Follow these easy steps to add style and interest to your bookshelves with wallpaper.

We asked Catherina Gailey,

blogger, crafter, cook and photographer for her tips on how she added style and interest to her home’s bookcases. Cat believes in the concept of “Hygge” from her home country of Denmark and is always adding cozy elements to her home in the Utah countryside with her husband and four children. “Hygge” is a Danish term for a mood of coziness, comfort and contentment, and Cat certainly achieves it with this fun project.

WALLPAPERED BOOKSHELVES

You will only need a few items to complete this project, and it can be done in a free afternoon! The best thing about this project is that it is a timeless look fit for every season.

Materials needed:

• Your favorite peel-and-stick marble wallpaper. Shown here is Wall Pops Carrera Peel and Stick Wallpaper.

• Scissors

• Ruler

• Wallpaper smoother

• Small utility knife

• A bookshelf that needs some bling.

Shown here is the Billy Bookcase Combo from IKEA.

1. Measure the square footage of the back of your bookcase to see how much wallpaper will be needed for this project. Remember to round up—it’s better to have extra wallpaper than to cut it too close.

2. Empty bookshelf and remove all shelves. 3. Wipe down and dry the back of the bookshelf with a damp rag.

4. Measure and cut the length of wallpaper you will need per shelf. Don’t forget to add a few extra inches on the top and bottom for some extra wiggle room.

5. Begin installing your wallpaper on the topleft side of the bookshelf. Let it overlap onto the left corner. This will be helpful in the event the bookshelf is not level.

6. Using your wallpaper smoother tool, slowly smooth the wallpaper as you attach it to the bookshelf. This will help prevent any air bubbles that get trapped under the wallpaper. (NEVER smooth it after you attach all of it! Always smooth as you go and start on the left-hand side and moving in a downward and out motion. This will ensure any air bubbles are forced out.) If you make a mistake, peel it off and start over. It’s that easy!

7. Once all your wallpaper is installed, use a utility knife and a ruler to cut off the excess overlapping wallpaper.

8. Replace all your bookshelves and start styling and decorating to your heart’s content!