Follow these simple steps to transform an old bookshelf into a bar shelf
Even before I started blogging, I fell in love with transforming old furniture and breathing new life into it with a simple can of paint. DIY projects can get complicated and super fancy but I will always say that paint is the easiest and most inexpensive way to completely transform any piece of furniture. If you have always wanted a bar area but lack space or just want to find another creative way to showcase it, this may be the perfect solution. Here’s how you can transform an old bookshelf into a bar shelf.
This post is sponsored by KILZ® but all thoughts, opinions, and styling are my own.
I had this old rustic bookshelf that I was using in my staging inventory room. I have always loved this large bookshelf but it wasn’t my style anymore as I lean towards a more transitional aesthetic. The traditional lines were still gorgeous but the distressed color just didn’t fit my home. I knew a little paint could completely give it a fresh and more modern update.
I headed to my local Ace Hardware where they sell the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® paint. There are 150 colors that evoke warmth and homey feeling and I chose Blackboard. I would say the color leans more towards dark navy than a true black. The kind employee mixed the paint for me quickly and I left with both my new paint and KILZ® primer.
I chose to prime the bookshelf with KILZ® 2 All-Purpose primer. This particular primer dries quickly and blocks stains. I appreciate that it has a low odor and helps to create excellent adhesion for paint. You can use this primer on either interior or exterior surfaces including brick, woodwork, drywall, plaster, and painted metal.
Make sure you always dust and clean your piece of furniture really well. I also wiped it all down with a simple cleaner. Normally, painting outside would be ideal but the GA pollen is so bad right now. Between my allergies and having pollen get stuck on the bookshelf, it was obvious that painting inside was the best option.
I used my favorite angled brush to paint the KILZ® primer onto the bookshelf. This primer also helps to hide imperfections and reduces the need for multiple coats of paint.
The primer dries quickly so I waited about 2 hours before starting the first coat of paint.
The first coat actually looks like dark hunter green. The paint went on smooth and I used both the angled brush and small roller. Make sure you paint nice thin layers so you avoid drippy paint.
This is right after 2 coats and you can see the depth of the color. It’s much darker and has a beautiful rich tone. The satin sheen creates a subtle sheen that’s not too glossy or shiny. Now, it’s time to style it!
It’s a mix of decor and bar cart essentials. I always have to add plants too. The modern mixology bartender kit is the perfect addition to the bar shelf along with the whiskey decanter.
Some of my favorite vintage stemware deserve to be showcased. Grouping items on a tray create a cohesive design and keep it looking organized.
Is anyone ready for a cocktail? Here’s a funny story. All my life, I have hated the taste of alcohol. I can’t stand the taste of wine and after trying to like it multiple times, I realized that I am just not a wine person.
Two years ago, we attended a friends’ wedding and one of my friends insisted on trying her drink. I kept telling her I don’t like the taste of any alcohol but she kept insisting I try it. I finally tasted it and couldn’t believe I actually really liked whatever it was that I was drinking. That gin and tonic was the first drink I have ever enjoyed and now it’s my cocktail of choice.
You can create a beautiful bar or coffee station by simply transforming a bookshelf. This bookshelf sits right in our kitchen so it’s convenient and still looks stylish right in this area.
If you haven’t tried the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines paint line, I highly recommend it. The paint goes on so smooth and is both durable and stain-resistant making it practical for any project.
Here’s to giving new life to old furniture and creating a home we love one paint job at a time.
Thanks for reading and let me know what you think in the comments section below!
xoxo,
Let all that you do be done in Love. 1 Corinthians 16:14
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