We have all seen cheap, assemble yourself-bookshelves, maybe we even have one in our home? I made mine over to look like a Ballard’s knockoff!

Here are the items you will need:

Items needed:
  • 4 short legs of choice, plus plates
  • Paint of choice (I LOVE Debi’s DIY 100% Natural Chalk and Clay Paint)
  • Wax or top coat of choice
  • The fabric of choice to go on back behind the shelving
  • Measuring tape
  • Sharp Scissors and Box Cutter
  • Spray Adhesive, and a small rolling pin or something to smooth out the fabric

You May Also Like: Upcycle a Bookshelf to a Rolling Cart

I purchased this basic bookshelf at my local Goodwill store for $5.
I then purchased four bun feet from Home Depot for about $8 each.
To upgrade the bookshelf, turn it over and add the feet plates, they are easy to drill in and then screw in the legs.  Both are usually found in the “Trim” department of your local Home Improvement Store.
While it was still upside down, I painted the entire piece in neutral black.
 When dry, I righted it and painted the entire piece in a 2nd coat.  Skipping the back, (this is where the fabric will go).  When 2nd coat was dry I waxed the entire piece with a (nameless) Dark Wax.
Update:  Doing this product now, I would recommend Little Black Dress from DIY paint and Liquid Patina, also from DIY Paint.
 Turn the bookshelf open side down, lay the fabric of choice on the back, and cut around to fit.  (or be more accurate in measuring, which I am not)
Turn the bookshelf back over and spray back with good spray Adhesive (I like Elmer’s brand because I can move stuff around to fit before it sets).  Use a roller to smooth out the fabric and make sure it adheres well.
 If it is not an exact fit, go around edges with “Box Cutter” to “score” the fabric. Gently lift up and trim excess fabric, then repeat light spray and roll.

Add your shelf back in and you have your Ballards Knock off!

You can make over a Blah bookshelf to look like a Ballards knock-off so easily.  What’s stopping you!  I have madeover many bookshelves since I originally wrote this post.  Check out some of my other favorites!
Because I know you can never get enough bookshelf makeovers, here are some top pics you might want to check out!
 
signature
 

50 Comments

  1. Nine Red

    Stunning! You really are a pro! I'm going to feature this project on my blog, and I'll be sure to link back to you!!

    Reply
  2. Shannon@FoxHollowCottage

    So, sooooo cute. Love the chic B&W fabric. This could go virtually anywhere and look fab. Love it. Lots!!

    Reply
  3. Fiona

    Good legs make all the difference!

    Reply
  4. Junky Vagabond

    Good job – this is now designer-worthy!

    Reply
  5. GO Gray's

    love the fabric. It's my new love!!!!

    Reply
  6. A Vintage Vine

    Great idea! Love those bun feet, it is just what it needed!

    Reply
  7. Katie

    Beautiful! Love the added feet and fabric.

    Reply
  8. Kammy Wielenga

    Oh, the LEGS!!!!! Gee whiz, I think I have lots of stuff that needs some of those bun feet (not legs, I guess..) haha. Simply gorgeous!

    Reply
  9. Holly Lefevre

    Lovely! I keep thinking of you…I am working on a piece of furniture…I bought this entertainment center (low and long) to go under the new TV for $20…but alas I never finish my furniture projects…but I am inspired and I need some of those bun feet. Hopefully I will have something t show soon! I have to prime that thing this weekend!

    Reply
  10. Myric

    You made an amazing job!!

    xo
    Myric

    Reply
  11. Ashley

    LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE!!!!! You're aaaa—maze—-ing!
    Thanks for stoppin by!

    Reply
  12. Ruth

    Fabulous. The addition if the feet make it look so much more elegant. Love the fabric back, too.
    Ruth

    Reply
  13. Nicole

    I love all the little details that made such a difference!(Not just the paint, but the fabric and feet.)

    Reply
  14. Amy

    I love the feet! I have a tall bookshelf I would love to fix up like this! It looks really good!

    Reply
  15. At The Picket Fence

    That is fantastic! The feet and fabric completely transform it and it looks lovely. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing it with us at Inspiration Friday this week!
    Vanessa

    Reply
  16. Heather @CommonplaceBeauty

    I love this! So amazingly transformed. I adore the fabric and black/white combo. SO cute!!

    Reply
  17. samaa @ Honey Sweet Home

    what a fabulous shelf! I love it 🙂 I never would have thought of adding legs to an ordinary piece of furniture, it makes an amazing difference!

    Reply
  18. Mandy

    Karen – fabulous as always!

    Reply
  19. Kim

    Some of your pictures are broken I hope you will repost I really want to try this!!!

    Reply
  20. Money Cat

    Have you noticed that the links to your pictures are broken? I would appreciate it if you would let me know once your have reestablished them. Thank you.

    Reply
  21. Michael @ re.Create Design

    I’ve been m.i.a. lately on checking in over here … I blame it on vacation!
    Anyway…saw someone had pinned this little dresser and just had to come over and tell you how much I adore it. And then I am seeing just how many pieces of furniture you’ve completed. I am truly in awe!!!
    Mike
    http://www.recreatedesigncompany.com (formerly Blue Velvet Chair)

    Reply
  22. Erin Snyder

    Love, love, love this! I’ve been looking for a cheap bookshelf to refinish and also for inspiration on how to do it. Thanks to you, I have the inspiration….now I just need the shelf. Thanks!
    ~Erin
    Neaten Your Nest

    Reply
  23. Jennifer

    Whew, I found it! I saw this all over PInterest, but all the pins link to http://www.stuff-and-nonsense.net/2012_02_01_archive.html and I couldn’t find it there! Thankfully you watermarked your picture and then I was able to find it by looking in your project gallery. Such a fabulous idea…I want to try it. Glad I found you–I always make sure my pins direct to the original source!

    Reply
  24. Neysa

    Hello! I would greatly appreciate it if you could take a couple minutes of your time to help myself and some classmates in some home improvement research.
    http://pace.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_d4q3AGdDe64uEbH
    Thank you so much and have a happy new year!

    Reply
  25. LN123

    This was a great idea and looks very easy to do!!!!

    Could you please take a moment to fill out an anonymous 5min survey to help Pace University students understand the home improvement industry by clicking the link below.

    http://pace.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_d4q3AGdDe64uEbH

    Thank you!!

    Reply
  26. martha

    I have an ugly yard sale find book case I want to try this with. Thanks

    Reply
  27. Emma

    If you’re short on fabric, check out places like Home Goods and Marshalls for cheap yet sturdy very cool designed gift wrap to back the shelves instead. I did just this with my AWFUL rental kitchen cabinets. Took off the doors to lighten the room, and simply taped the paper on its reverse, and attached to the cabinet backs. It can be easily removed… yay!

    Reply
  28. Sharon Taylor

    Hi, I’ve tried to purchase the plates that the feet screw into and can’t find them. Please, are they called something else.

    Reply
  29. Patsy

    I just bought a bookcase for $3 off of Craig’s and this is exactly what I want to do to it, then turn around and sell it for a profit. I redo old furniture to help fund my animal rescue work. I

    Reply
  30. Sarah

    Ahhh, love those little feet!

    Reply
  31. kim Goodwin

    Could you please tell me where you found the legs?

    Reply
  32. Virginia Fynes

    WOW, stunning makeover! You’d never know that it wasn’t a pricy bookcase

    Reply
    • GTC

      Thank you so much Virginia. Funny, I loved that project, and apparently everyone else does to. It still comes up in my top ten everyday. I love making over cheap bookshelves, easy and a great way to get an expensive look for practically nothing.

      Reply
  33. liza

    fabulous idee, congratulation!!

    Reply
  34. Sandra

    Does anyone know what the fabric is please?

    Reply
    • GTC

      Hi Sandra, I purchased this fabric about 10 years ago. It is a Waverly fabric, so they may still make it. Good luck!

      Reply
  35. Elena

    I like the helpful info you provide in your articles.
    I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here regularly. I’m
    quite certain I’ll learn many new stuff right here!
    Best of luck for the next!

    Reply
  36. docs.google.com

    I am always searching online for tips that can aid me. Thank you!

    Feel free to visit my web page – good podcast [docs.google.com]

    Reply
  37. Bren

    Utterly fabulous!

    Reply
    • GTC

      Thank you!

      Reply
  38. Patricia

    Your bookshelf transformation is absolutely stunning! You’ve managed to take an ordinary piece of furniture and turn it into a Ballard’s knockoff masterpiece. I’m truly impressed by your skills and creativity. Could you please share some tips or tutorials on how you achieved this remarkable makeover? I would love to give my own bookshelf a similar transformation and add a touch of elegance to my home. Keep up the fantastic work!

    Reply
    • GTC

      Hi Patricia, thank you so much for such a wonderful comment. I have tons of tutorials where I share lots of tips and tricks. Please head to this link and you can find a lot of information on how to do similar projects. https://redouxinteriors.com/category/tutorials/

      Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. 18 DIY Projects That You’ve Never Heard Of… But Will Definitely Want To Try | Home Design - […] redouxinteriors.com […]
  2. 16 Awesome DIY Ideas For Bookshelves - Style Motivation - […] redouxinteriors.com […]
  3. 16 Awesome DIY Ideas For Bookshelves – chuckiesblog - […] redouxinteriors.com […]
  4. 30 Awesome DIY Ideas to Give Life to Your Old Furniture - Home Magez - […] source: www.redouxinteriors.com […]
  5. 25+ Awesome DIY Furniture Makeover Ideas:Creative Ways To Repurpose Old Furniture With Tutorials - Listing More - […] Tutorial: Redoux Interiors. […]
  6. 30+ Creative and Easy DIY Furniture Hacks - Personality Ideas - […] Blah Bookshelf to Ballards Knockoff: Add feet and wallpaper to a cheap bookcase! Easy and cheap to do for…
  7. Top 10 Bookshelf Upcycles - […] While we are on the subject of Dumpster Bookshelves and Fabric…..This is one of my most pinned and popular…
  8. How to Decoupage Fabric Over Painted Wood - Redoux Interiors - […] Blah Bookshelf to Ballards Knockoff […]
  9. Turn Trashy Books into Treasured Items - Redoux Interiors - […] You May Also Like: Blah Bookshelf to Ballards Knockoff […]

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

DIY Paint Sold Here!

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This