painted bookshelves

What Finish Do You Paint Bookshelves? Paints with polycrylic, polyurethane, or shellac finishes protect and enhance the natural appearance of the wood. A colored stain, acrylic paint or enamel-based paint can be applied. If you intend to paint solid-color, you should apply two coats first without primer.

What color is best for bookshelves?

Dark. Whether you choose to paint just the backs or the whole thing, using a dark color is one of the strongest statements you can make with your bookcase. Black is classic, but nearly black-blue, green and gray are chic choices as well.

How do you paint old wooden bookshelves?

Apply a primer first (based on the paint type and color you’ve selected) and let it dry. After the primer is dry, apply multiple thin coats of paint until it is the color you want. Let the paint completely dry overnight or for 24 hours. Stain your bookcase if it is made of wood to give it a classic look.

Should I paint my bookcases?

Both freestanding and built-in bookshelves can benefit. Painting built-in storage to match the wall color can give the space a cohesive and intimate feel. For the living room of a Los Angeles home, design firm Commune painted the walls and bookshelves in a pale green, giving the space a serene but stylish vibe.

What kind of paint do you use on a wooden bookshelf?

Semi-gloss or high-gloss paint sheens are your best bets; their non-porous, smoother finish is easier to clean, and moisture beads on these surfaces rather than being absorbed, so the paint coat doesn’t weather or fade with time.

Can you spray paint a bookcase?

You can paint it by hand or, if you want to spray your bookshelf without moving it to another room/outside, tape drop cloths or pre-taped masking film all around it to protect the rest of the room like we did when we painted this room with a paint sprayer.

How do you recolor bookshelves?

There are two ways to paint your bookshelves: you can spray-paint them or you paint them with acrylic paint with a paintbrush. Spray-painting is very speedy, so if you’re in a rush, that’s the method for you. Painting with a paintbrush takes longer but allows you to paint more intricately.

Should you paint the back of a bookcase?

1. Bright backing. Painting just the back of a bookcase creates a fresh, current look that will instantly wake up a room. Either watery aqua or sunshine yellow with crisp white trim would be ideal for a summery living room.

How do you paint wood shelves?

Assemble the shelves before painting. Strip away old paint, if desired, using gel paint stripper. Sand the wood with a disc sander. Apply a coat of primer paint to the entire set of shelves. Paint the undersides of the shelves. Do the back and sides of the shelves (if any) once the underside is dry.

What paints to use on wood?

Basic latex paint that you find at local home improvement stores is usually fine to paint wood furniture with. It tends to be one of the easiest paints to work with when it comes to painting furniture. That being said, though, the durability of a latex paint isn’t as great as an oil-based paint’s.

Is acrylic paint good for furniture?

Latex and acrylic are the main types of water-based paints, and both can be used on furniture. These paints work well on slightly porous surfaces like wood, stone and wicker and hold up through light to moderate use. Water-based paints normally require a primer coat and tend to show brush marks more readily.

How do you update an old bookcase?

Here are 9 easy ways that you can transform the back of an existing bookcase to create a custom look.
Paint. A little paint can go a long way in terms of changing the look of a bookcase! Wallpaper. Grasscloth. Burlap. Beadboard. Fabric. Stencils. Chalkboard.

How do you paint a bookshelf without sanding?

Milk paint, which you can purchase as a powder or premixed, or even whip it up yourself at home, is a nontoxic and biodegradable paint option that’s great for use on wood furniture—and if you mix it with an equal part of bonding agent, you don’t need to sand the piece before beginning.

Can you paint wood shelves?

You can use paint to dress up a solid wood or particle board shelf to make it more modern or playful. Wood absorbs paint, so an already painted bookshelf requires some preparation before you can grab the brush and get started. An unpainted shelf is ready for painting with little to no preparation.

How do you decorate the back of a bookshelf?

Adding pretty paper or fabric to the back of a bookcase, cabinet, or bookshelves is one of my favorite ways to change it without paint. Plus it’s super easy and inexpensive especially if you are using wrapping paper, fabric, or craft paper you already have on hand.

What’s the difference between acrylic and enamel paint?

Enamel paint has a glossy look while acrylic paint has more of a matte paint finish to it. Enamel paint is mostly used for painting the exterior walls of the house while acrylic paint is used to paint the interior of the house. Enamel paint finish takes a comparatively longer period to dry than acrylic paint.

How do you refurbish a bookshelf?

How to Refinish a Bookcase
Remove old paint. Sand the surface. Pay attention to details in the woodwork. Fill any dents, scratches or divots. Sand the entire bookcase a second time. Remove all traces of dust. Apply an oil-based stain. Seal the bookcase.

Can you paint a shelf with acrylic paint?

Can You Paint A Shelf With Acrylic Paint? It’s best to paint over enamel paint with either enamel or acrylic paint, but don’t paint over acrylic paint with anything other than more acrylic-based paint; enamel won’t adhere to it.