Need Decorating Help

[Jodi1980]

We have a row of 6 book shelves dividing a student lounge (it's a big room). The back of the shelves is visable and not very attractive - does anyone have any ideas what can be done to the backs?

 

[SoonerKate]

You can cover the back of the shelves in fabric or put a screen in front of it.

Is it viable to take the back of the shelves off? Open shelving can look nice, but still serve to divide a room.

 

[binny]

ohhh what an opportunity!


You could hang quilts, tapestries, or put up a screen.

If its a solid back it would be a great place to do a mural! You can borrow or rent a projector and find a book with some art work you like and just shine it up there and copy


You could hang a pole ( horizontally) from the celing just in front of it and hang fabric from it, if you use fabric from the apparel side its cheaper than from hone decor side.



Just treat it like was a regular wall. You can paint it or do a faux finish or whatever...

the possibilities are endless!

 

[Jodi1980]

One of the students suggested putting up roll-up bulletin board (that you glue the back of the board to the shelf). Do you think it will stay up?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My SIL put some awesome contact paper on the backs of the bookshelves in my nephews room. It really turned out awesome!

Along those same lines you could put up wallpaper as well.

 

[Poohlovr]

Along the line of the bulletin board, you could spray it with black chalkboard paint and use it as a message center, grafitti (sp?) wall, piece of art with colored chalk drawings...whatever.

 

[LarryE]

Removing the back would serve a great purpose and look good while at it.

That was you can get books from both sides

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Or you could get more shelves and place back to back.

 

[Jodi1980]

But putting wallpaper up with water, won't the water eventually tear away from the back of the shelf which is made of heavy cardboard?

 

[RNMOM]

They make cork that comes in rolls and could be put on with spray adhesive.

This sounds like a perfect opportunity for some student expression. Put them to work decorating it their way. Hold a contest like on HGTV and have teams present their design ideas.