Menu

toggle menu
  • Home
  • Products
  • Inspiration
  • Lifestyle
  • How-to
  • Latest
  • About
  • Stockists
  • Contact
Home » How-To » How To Spray Paint A Bookshelf

How To Spray Paint A Bookshelf

Don’t let your beloved books fade into the background. Display them with pride by giving your bookshelf a face-lift.

If you’re tired of bland, bare wood and want to add a modern twist to a room this could be the project for you. Upcycled bookshelves can add a touch of quirky or chic character to a room with just a lick of paint.

Once you’ve followed the below painting step-by-step, continue the transformation by filling the shelf with books, plants and beautiful bric-a-brac to inject personality.

What you will need

  • Bookshelf
  • Rust-Oleum Surface Primer
  • Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch
  • Newspaper / dust sheets

Steps

  1. Stand your bookshelf on some newspaper / dust sheets in a well ventilated area. Clean the bookshelf to ensure the surface is free from dirt, oil, grease etc. and allow to dry.

  2. Use a primer to help smooth out the surface and allow the paint to adhere better. One or two coats of Rust-Oleum Surface Primer will be sufficient, following the application instructions on the can.

  3. When the primer is dry, apply Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch in the colour of your choice.

    Use slightly overlapping strokes, moving the can from left to right and up and down and pause to shake the can at regular intervals during painting. Apply several thin coats and allow to dry for 20 minutes before applying the next coat.

Sign up for our newsletter and get a free book of ideas.

Thanks for signing up, please Click Here to view the previous issues.

Share this

You may also like

Mode

400ml | 13 colours

View item
Painter's Touch

400ml | 42 colours

View item
Universal All-Surface Spray Paint

400ml | 14 colours

View item
View all

How-Tos

Kitchen-HowTo-Thumbnail-Large

How To Use Kitchen Cupboard Paint

More >

PT-Vase-LargeThumbnail

Sensational Statement Vase DIY

More >

Macrame-LargeThumbnail

HOW TO CREATE A HANGING MACRAMÉ PLANTER

More >

TerrazzoPots-LargeThumbnail

DIY Terrazzo Planters

More >

View all

Inspiration

HANDMADE GIFTS: THE VALENTINE’S EDITION

More >

Dare to go Neon?

Make it pop!

More >

Handmade Christmas: DIY Upcycle Christmas Decorations

When we bought our first home our Christmas decorations took up ...

More >

16 WAYS TO UPDATE YOUR HOME OFFICE

A home office should be a personalised haven tailored to you.

More >

View all

Lifestyle

BEHIND THE BRUSH: MEET SAM AND CATHERINE OF ROCK TERRACE

BEHIND THE BRUSH: MEET SAM AND CATHERINE OF ROCK TERRACE

More >

Behind The Brush: How I Started My Own Creative Business

Behind The Brush: How I Started My Own Creative Business

More >

Shabby Chic Shack: How I Started My Upcycling Business

Shabby Chic Shack: How I Started My Upcycling Business

Thinking of starting a business? Read on...

More >

Laura Mcdonald On How To Personalise Your Home

Laura Mcdonald On How To Personalise Your Home

Quick and easy, creative ideas...

More >

View all
  • Products
  • Inspiration
  • Lifestyle
  • How-To
  • About
  • Stockists
  • Make it Yours magazine
  • Contact

Follow us

Rust-Oleum, Portobello Industrial Estate, Birtley, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, DH3 2RE
Tel: +44 (0)191 410 6611 Email: enquiries@tor-coatings.com
© Rust-Oleum 2025 Copyright. All Rights Reserved. 'Make It Yours' is a registered trademark. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions