Beadboard Bookshelf Backs

I needed some storage areas for my craft room but I didn’t want to spend much money so I bought some cheap bookshelves from an office supply store.  You know those shelves don’t you?  I’m talking about the ones that you can get on sale for about $30 each.  They come in a long box with about 1 million pieces for assembly and you spend hours trying to figure out how the G2 piece fits into the A7 board before realizing the company didn’t put any A7 boards in the box.  LOL!  ANYWAY, after getting rid of some of the very same bookshelves in a garage sale a few years ago I found myself needing them again. Good grief.  I knew they would work for my needs but I had real concerns about their stability since they always include a cardboard backing which bows after time and becomes fairly unstable under much weight.

Replace Cardboard with Beadboard

Have Beadboard Cut to Size

Instead of keeping the flimsy backing that normally comes with the cheap bookshelves, I went to a hardware store and asked them to cut some beadboard that would fit my shelves.  If you decide to do this, consider buying a big sheet of beadboard and having them cut it to size.  My store sold smaller beadboard that was easier for me to carry but it cost more than the big sheet.  Don’t be afraid to ask the hardware store peeps for what you want…even if you’re not quite sure what you want.  There’s usually someone there that can answer your questions.

Beadboard is Pretty and Functional

I chose beadboard because I think it’s pretty.  It was also a good backing because it’s stable and thin enough that I could hammer through it.  The funny thing is that I meant to have all the wood cut so that I could run the lines of the beadboard vertically but I wasn’t paying attention and I ended up with one long enough to go vertical and the others all horizontal.  Darn.  That’s why my short bookshelves all look like they have a striped backing.  Hey, it is what is is…striped.  LOL!

To add beadboard to two short and one tall bookshelf it cost me approximately $25.  Although adding beadboard raises the overall costs of the bookshelves, it does make them more stable.  I’ve been using them for eight months now and have had no problems at all.  YAY!

UPDATE: I’ve been using these bookshelves for 10 years now, and they have been moved to a new house. They held up great in the move and continue being awesome to this day!

Joy

Have a great day!

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81 Comments

  1. Great bookshelf idea. I’m still working on organizing in my crop room. I’m thinking I need another storage shelf.

    I already LIKE you on Facebook. 🙂

  2. The bead board is a great idea. Would love to have the scrapneasel. Being a senior scraper seems like this would be a great thing to have. Just love your site!!

  3. harleychickx2 says:

    I already like you on FB.

  4. Lovve the lamp redone as an organized item. I am always looking for ways to reorganize my room. Thanks for the gret ideas. love them.

  5. Great idea, I just had my cardboard backing on my shelf fall apart!! I guess its time to redo it! Love your blog!
    Karen

  6. brwneyes46 says:

    what a great idea! I love your site and all of your ideas!! I just liked u on FB and joined ur page today! thanks for the chance to win the scrap ‘n easel!

    [email protected]

  7. harleychickx2 says:

    I also voted 🙂

  8. NancyRuess says:

    Hi Joy, I am already a fan on FB, and would LOVE to win this Easel!

  9. NancyRuess says:

    A girl can never have enough good shelving. Love them. Thanks for all the ideas you give us!

  10. ChelleBelle says:

    I love bead board!! It always seems so beachy. I would also love that scrap n easel!!! Thanks so much for a stab at it!

  11. Krafty Kim says:

    Great idea! I’m needing some shelving in my craft space, but was worried about the cheapy shelves. Your beadboard adds visual appeal and strength? I’m trying it!

    And I love your woodchuck comments in one photo. Did you see the Geiko commercial with the woodchucks throwing the man’s firewood into the pond? He said, “Hey! You woodchucks, quit chuckin’ my wood!” Hilarious! And so are you!

    Your humor, great ideas, and awesome stamps keep me coming back to your site. Thanks!

  12. The repurposed lamp is really cool! I would definitely go on the prowl for a lamp as perfect as yours to make a Simply Renee Clip Up look-alike. I would love to to win a Scrap’n Easel! My neck has issues, and that great tool would allow me to paper craft for a longer time.

    Thanks for all the inspiration and instruction that you give us all, and for the opportunity to win a Scrap’n Easel.

  13. NanetteMT says:

    Thanks for the great idea! I’ll have to pin this for future use.

  14. NanetteMT says:

    I am already a Facebook follower. Thanks for the chance to win!

  15. meredeEnA says:

    Love bead board and love your idea of how to make your shelving stronger! I have a number of those shelves that could use a little bit more muscle! Thanks for sharing!!!!

  16. meredeEnA says:

    I finally “like”d Joy’s Life on facebook (duh, me!) as Ruth Suttie Gauss.

  17. Great idea to use the bead board!

  18. summergirl75 says:

    This is brilliant! I always wondered if there was a way to make my bookcases stronger. I can’t stand the backing they include with the shelving! Thank you!! I have already liked you on Face book.

    Lynn

  19. The bookcases look great! Cool giveaway. Thanks for the chance to win.

  20. jksmitley says:

    Nice giveaway and I already like you on FB! So smart to use the bead board!

  21. I re-did my crafty room about 8 months ago, too. I used the closetmaid from Targey and Lowes and a hollow door painted white for the desk top. I love it. I’d love it more if I could get it organized! Oh, and I already like you on FB 🙂

  22. kristindabomb says:

    You have so many great ideas!! I especially loved the lamp you made to hold all your stickers and such, it was just so creative!! I like you on Facebook too :]

  23. Michele from MS says:

    I so love this idea! Actually, I prefer the horizontal stripes so see….mistakes can often be good things!! Thanks for sharing…we all need a little stabilization once in a while lol Thanks for the chance to win the easel ~ I could so use one of these!!

  24. CLM-Cindylu2u says:

    Love the idea with the bead board and it looks great too!!

  25. goldilost says:

    I love slot wall – but it’s expensive. Nice to see an alternative. I would love the chance to win the Scrap Easel

    Thanks!

  26. goldilost says:

    I also just “liked” you on Facebook!

  27. What a great idea, thanks for sharing this! I already like your Facebook page.

  28. scrappingrandma says:

    love beadboard… got it in my bedroom….you always have great idaas….

  29. Love reading your blog ………… you always have such great ideas and are so creative. Great idea to use the breadboard to strengthen those shelves. Thanks for the chance to win the Scrap’n Easel.

  30. rockymama says:

    The Beadboard is a great idea! I love the look of it, too.

  31. rocionryan says:

    I love love shelves, my scrap room is so small, I have to go UP! Love your ideas Joy, thanks!

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