Girly Office Progress: Making Cheap Bookcases Fabulous

Hey, gals!

Now that we have officially finished the Master Bedroom re-do, we've moved on to the guest room/office. I don't know about you but I have the most ridiculous amount of stuff. Like odds and ends, books, files, mechanical pencils? It's amazing how much we've managed to stuff in this room with not the slightest bit of organization. I wish I had a total before picture to share with you in this room, but all I could find was this instagram from almost 2 years ago. Rest assured though, nothing has happened in this room until recently. 

There is still a long way to go in terms of getting this room together, but I wanted to pop in to share the awesome bookcases we put together which just make me giddy every time I walk in the room!

The bookcases are these from Walmart. Not even kidding, 2 bookcases for $65.00. You can't beat that, even if they are pretty bleh. We gave them a little facelift and now I think they're ready for their audition on America's Next Top Bookcase Model.

Before- 

I wish I took pictures of laying in the wrapping paper to the back, but it was truly so simple. Pick up a roll or 2 of some pretty paper you love (try Homegoods or TJ Maxx!) and cut it so size of the backing of your bookcase. Before you assemble, use spray adhesive to attach to the backing, and assemble the bookcase as instructed. Couldn't be easier!

Please try to pardon my junk everywhere. :) We did get around to hanging the gallery wall on the opposite side of the room, which is where all those frames on the floor ended up :)

To really bump up the makeover, we added crown molding to the bookcases and I would say this made the biggest impact without a doubt. I just LOVE them! There are 1000 tutorials out there in blogworld (I love this one by my blog-friend Abby!) but I will give you the gist-

You're going to need to cut your trim at perfect 45 degree angles using a miter saw (or you can use a miterbox and hand saw from your hardware store, but I really recommend investing in a miter saw if you can find it in your budget, they're a homeowners best tool!)

When you have your trim measured and ready to go, affix it to the bookcase with wood glue, and use finishing nails to secure it in place.

Use caulk to fill in any gaps, and fill in those nail holes! After the caulk has completely dried, sand it down and paint it a nice bright white!

Then you get to do the fun part, decorate! I love these hound-dog book ends. I can never find beagle anything so I figured this was at least in the hound family so it had to do :)

This little "K" box holds my nail polish collection. Can you believe I found it at Walmart? 14 bucks, y'all!

I haven't finished them quite yet, but those boxes on the bottom shelves are file boxes that hold the most important life-paperwork. and receipts. and just about everything else I never take time to organize. They started as an ugly kraft brown, I can't wait to share how I spruced 'em up!

and that my friends, is that! I still have a long way to go to make this room functional and homey for the few guests we get a year. (come on, friends, Arkansas is great come see us!) I'll be sharing how i'm fixin' up this desk and that glaring blank space in between the bookcases in a few weeks.

****I also just have to share with you that we're giving away the most ridiculously amazing prize via instagram @absolutelyarkansas right now! All you have to do is go to this image, "like" it, and follow along with the other fabulous bloggers in the loop for your chance to win:

1) Kate Spade Cove Street Provence Bag
2) Zara Blanket Scarf
3)...and if that isn't enough a FIVE HUNDRED dollar gift card to Anthropologie!...make sure to enter, the giveaway ends at 6:00 PM tonight!

 Thank you so much for coming by today!

Until next Time,
xo Kylie

                                                 

Have Absolutely Arkansas delivered to your inbox for FREE! You'll never miss a post! Enter Email Here: