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How to Stencil a Herringbone Bookcase | Craft Room Makeover

Check out how easy it is to Stencil a bookcase and organize it with items that provide storage and have meaning at the same time. What a transformation!

Paint a bookcase a herringbone stencil, use mason jars, crates and suitcases for storage!

I’ve lived in my house for about 2 years now.  And I’m just getting around to my craft room.

It’s been serving it’s purpose to me daily by housing my craft supplies so no harm done, but now it’ll serve that same purpose and will be appealing to the eyes.  Finally.  I love how the built in bookcase turned out.  I’m a huge fan of all things vintage.  If you were to take  a screenshot of our Pinterest boards, you would see all white and light colored tones mixed with old and new, lots of mason jars and lots of character.  But I love color too!!  Nothing too bold like lime green but I simply adore mustard yellow and all shades of aqua and turquoise.

This herringbone bookcase is so totally ME.  It’s got custom rustic crates, my grandmother’s suitcases, old crates I’ve been collecting at sales, my mom’s 30 year old mason jars and a few modern pieces of decor that I’ve found here and there over the past 11 years of married life.

herringbone-bookcase-decorate-with-vintage-goods-as-storage

(A little close up, made that burlap and doily bunting, tutorial on the link.  Click for the crate tutorial, too!)

Love the fun accessories!  If you follow us on Instagram, you’ll have seen so many #craftroommakeover hash tags over the past couple of months.  It probably seems like I’ve drug my feet taking so long to complete this bookcase but collecting the storage items was the time consuming part.  I definitely wanted a vintage vibe with legit vintage pieces.

Many of them are older than me, mission accomplished. Here are the problems we had with our huge built-in bookcase:

Messy before pic of my vintage inspired craft room. Nightmare, lol!

  • Orange arrow: mason jars: needed lids but they were already organized, thankyouverymuch.
  • Aqua arrow: You can purchase raw crates from JoAnn’s then follow our stained numbered crate tutorial to copy our look. They’re normally $11.99 BUT you can use your 40% off coupon and get them cheap!  I collected mine over a period of months to make it more affordable.  Stain with Minwax’s DARK WALNUT, paint on numbers with vinyl stencils using Americana’s BUTTER paint, lightly sand and you have instant aged crates.
  • Green arrow: All those unattractive, easily dented Ikea paper boxes were recycled. Not upcycled, just chucked into the recycle bin! Their contents are now housed in all the crates.
  • Coral arrow: These suitcases have sentimental value to me AND they’re amazing storage.  My grandma passed away the day after Christmas last year, I inherited these suitcases and keep them closed as much as possible. Whenever I open it up I can smell her house, I love it.
  • Yellow arrow: Vinyl rolls!! Kristi and I have been selling vinyl lettering and signs for nearly 7 years now.  We occasionally hold local craft nights and still take orders (email [email protected]).  I decided to get rid of my stash and only keep one roll on hand for stencils only.  {We’ve shown our stencil technique we’ve been using for years several times, here is one example of our stencil method in case you missed it.}  If you want to get on our craft night notification list, email me [email protected] and I’ll make sure you’re added! They’re always so fun! Our next one is March 14th!

Supplies to Stencil a Bookcase

*This post contains affiliate links. When purchasing with our links, you’re using what we used at no extra cost to you but supporting our free tutorials, thank you!

How to Paint a Bookcase

First up, you’ll need a bookcase! They are easy to find at thrift stores but if you don’t have one, Amazon has one for less than $80, free shipping for Prime members too! Just paint it white to match ours as a base. You can even put two side-by-side then add molding to the top, middle and bottom to make it look custom.  Here’s the process side by side: before, during and after of our herringbone bookcase makeover. What a difference!

herringbone-bookcase-before-after

Also visit:

How to Stencil A Bookcase

How to stencil a bookcase | We love this herringbone allover stencil, learn how to create a beautiful custom bookcase with a stencil and paint!

  • Painting the stencil was the easy part! We’re comfortable with CES’ stencils after using them on the following projects:

lolly-jane-stencil-projects

dining room | Kristi’s curtains | Kelli’s bathroom

  • It’s definitely worth watching this video on how to stencil before you get started if you’ve never stenciled before. There’s also a helpful how-to stencil page on CES’ site.
  • (We shared a picture step-by-step on our more recent blog post when we stenciled our bathroom floor, same process).
  • My tip is nice, light coats. I like to paint the first coat, let it dry for a few minutes then paint second coat and immediately pull the stencil away. Use a small brush for any touch-ups.

painting-a-herringbone-bookcase-stencil-during-picture

It’s time consuming but worth it. I did this whole bookcase in one day, starting around midday and ending around midnight, taking breaks for mom life. I promise you if I can do it, you can do it. I love this “during” photo. What a difference the stencil makes on the back of the bookcase!  It really gives it a fun pop of color.  Since I have stuff in front of it, the herringbone is peeking through and I simply love it! I love the nice and clean herringbone lines in this picture of the bookcase after the stencil was painted but before the accessories were put back in.

herringbone-bookcase-craft-room-stencil

How to Style a Bookcase

herringbone-bookcase-craft-room-storage-details

Gather items that are attractive to you and will provide useful storage at the same time. I use most of these knick-knacks for staging in my other pictures.  And they’re just pretty to look at and inspire me when I’m in this room that’s all my own!  The HOME frame is from Ikea, the yellow bird and white cake stand are from HomeGoods, the urns are from Ross, the green bird is from a grocery store floral department, the set of owls are from Kirklands, the vintage owl with yellow eyes was $1 at Goodwill, the soda crate was a gift from my older sis Sandee from World Market and the little brown owl on top of my paper cutter and scale is from Down East Home! I used collected items, random gifts and love how it all came together.

Herringbone stenciled bookcase, fill with vintage goods for storage #organization #craftroom

Isn’t this a great background??  I love the clean lines of the herringbone.  I recycled the paint from my great grandmother’s 100 year old buffet turned tv stand makeover.  This mini suitcase matches my bigger green suitcase exactly, that was a pure coincidence.  Notice the “Big A– Book of Crafts” book is washi tape’d over??  My kids knew it was a cuss word so I had to hide it, lol!

Love using vintage suitcases as storage in a craft room!

Mmmm…love me some mason jars + bakers twine!  Great ribbon storage and the bakers twine is a fun touch.  I actually dug these jars out of my attic where my mom had stored them when I was a baby!  They needed a thorough cleaning!  I bought the lids at Walmart, maybe I’ll paint them someday?  Love that they have history and they’re pretty to look at.

Use mason jars as ribbon storage in a craft room. Tied bakers twine is a fun touch!

The other mason jars house the rest of my random crafts, glitter bottles, washi tape, buttons, glue sticks, etc.  And these small truly vintage crates are perfect for my everyday acrylic paints and bakers twine hoard!Vintage crates are the same size as small acrylic bottles, use them for #organization in the #craftroom

My bigger crates house the rest of my acrylic paint stash, yes, it’s full.  No, I’m not disputing I have an addiction.  They also house my paper cutters, adhesives, wood supplies, etc.

Vintage crate for the craft room, perfect size to hold bakers twine! #organization #craftroom

For scissor and squeegee storage, I used inexpensive jars from Ikea.  I tied a simple white twine bow around the lid just for fun.  I love this little owl.  I’ve contemplated spray painting him but love the distinct vintage vibe, I’m guessing he was manufactured in the 60’s-70’s which is the era my grandmother kept her decor from till the day she passed.  Hence all my vintage goods upcycled from her humble home.

So cute! Glass jars from Ikea for scissor and craft supply storage paired with a vintage owl! #craftroom #organization

That’s about all there is to it! Have fun customizing it to your own needs. Such a happy space that was featured on Shutterfly too!

herringbone-bookcase-decorate-with-vintage-goods-as-storage

Check out our burlap doily bunting tutorial, vintage crate DIY tutorial and a herringbone roundup too!

Cute and easy burlap and doily bunting #craftroom #banner

How to create vintage numbered crates by LollyJane.com

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270 Comments

  1. Hi Shannon, it was built by my brother-in-law. He took 2 bookcases and put them side-by-side, then added molding. Clever guy!

  4. Absolutely Beautiful! A great way to add some interest to an old bookcase. Well done! Lisa TheRingerGroup.com

  6. The bookshelf is amazing did u put 2 bookshelfs together.. Where did u buy it

  8. Hey Jenn!

    They were 2 bookcases from a random warehouse that my sister’s father in law acquired. Her hubby installed them to the wall then added molding to them. Kind of random but just find some that fit your space and go to town, girl!!

    And thanks so much for the compliment! (:

  9. I love your space, but I am in love with the shelves…. I love their size!! Are those built-ins or purchased shelves?? If they were purchased, I would love to know where.

    I tried reading through the comments to make sure I wasn’t asking a question you already answered, but you have so many comments!! And no doubt, it is a great space and a wonderful look… Beautiful!

    Jenn

  11. Where did you get the floral curtains in the craft room? Those are amazing.
    Lisa

  13. Okay so I know you have had about six gazillion comments on this already but I have to tell you that I think it is just about the cutest thing I have ever EVER seen. LOVE it!

  14. I’m not sure how I’ve not seen your blog before. You are living with all my dream colors and patterns. This craft space is spectacular. I love every single part about it. So adorable, so colorful, so organized! Perfect in every way! Thanks for sharing this HUGE inspiration!

  17. Looking at the before and after pics, I am amazed at the transformation but I would have to say that your before pictures are way more beautiful than the crafts section of my home. I try to make it look pretty but it never comes close to the vision in my head.
    Anyway, I love your work and I am looking forward to your future projects.

  21. I am getting ready to feature this on my site and I just noticed you have the framed “HOME” print I made for our gift exchange on display! HA! I love it!!!! 🙂

  22. The shelves are so bright and pretty. It looks like a party! (How lucky to have your own craft space.) Wonderful vintage touches, too.

  23. I love the “real” before 😉 Your after is mid blowingly gorgeous though. WOW! What a place to craft, design and dream in you have created. It is absolutely fan-tastic!!!!! Enjoy it 🙂

  26. So sorry, Jen! But use you can use coupon code LJ10 for a discount on any CES stencil (:

  29. I was pinning your awesome storage idea & got super excited once I saw there was a giveaway for it! There are way too many stencils to choose an actual favorite, but anything chevron is fine by me. I’m going to say the chevron allover because I’ve been wanting to design my room with that pattern for months! Plus now we have a playhouse for my niece to work on. 🙂 Crossing my fingers for this giveaway & hoping I win. Thanks for the opportunity. xox.

  34. I love the chevron stencil! It would look great on some pillows!

  35. My favorite stencil is Herringbone Allover Stencil!!! Would look great on my liquor cabinet.

  37. My favorite stencil from Cutting Edge Stencils is their TUSCAN TRELLIS ALLOVER STENCIL!

  38. This bookcase is fabulous! I want to try to add touches to the bookcases in my office but I have been nervous to take the plunge.

  39. I just absolutely love this craft room makeover!! It gives me so much inspiration for my room! 🙂

  40. So adorable!! I love this whole idea. Especially the crates used for organizing twine and paint!!

  42. Hi! This is my first visit- I love your craft shelves! One of my favorite details is the cute bunting you hung on the top, but everything is really cute! I love that fish scale stencil- fun and different!

  46. I love the whole makeover, from the doily garland at top to the awesome crates on the bottom. I’m pinning!!

  47. Well it is hard to just pick one stencil as a favorite! I have so many project ideas I could do with many of these stencils…..but if I had to pick just one I would go with the Chevron All Over right now!
    I love you bookcase make over…..I think I may have to try this for a shelf unit in my new shop!

  50. I like the Chevron one! I’d love to do a wall in my daughters room with it!

  51. They’re all gorgeous but think my fav is Charlotte. Love your craft room makeover, you did a great job of celebrating family treasures and still keeling a clean, fresh look.

  52. i love the way the stenciling looks and the entire makeover. Love the Charlotte all over…

  53. Love what you did!! Aren’t you proud?!? I think the herringbone is CLASSIC!

  58. Your shelves are beautiful! I love the stencils and crates at the bottom. All the stencils are so neat. I’m still in love with chevron, though, so I’d have to go for that one…or maybe the fishtail…it would be way fun, too.

  62. I would love to win a Cutting Edge Stencil!
    Thank you LollyJane

    🙂

  69. My favorite so far is the birch I did a stellar wall in my daycare center with it, im about to try a 2nd method with it on a desperate wall. I also have the dandelion stencil that I made wall art with. Love these stencils

  71. I love the Zagora allover! I have a similiar bookshelf that I need to do something similiar to, but I am a bit scared of stencils.

  73. chevron would be perfect for shelves in my teenage daughter’s room!!

  75. LOVE your craft space. So many great ideas and beautiful design!
    Pinning!
    Anne @ circusberry.wordpress.com

  79. oh my gosh. you are so awesome! every project is something i can’t wait to try in my house!!! i love the ce stencils and either want the morroccan or the herringbone

  80. I love your “new” craft room…I am hoping to do one in the near future. I hate having everything spread all over the house. You always need what’s upstairs or vice versa. Oh and BTW I love the chevron stencil.

  81. Love the herring bone design!! Its a bit different take on the chevron, but love it!! Would love to have the tools to make this easier!

  86. oh my goodness!!! Seriously!!! I bow to your craftiness and good desigenuity know how (yes, that’s a new word, feel free to use it) Sooo going on my pinterest. Right.Now!

  87. I love Cutting Edge Stencils! I’ve just started using them. Love this project. I have my eye on the pear tree stencil, which I would love to do on reclaimed wood or an old door. But there are probably 20 or so that I’d like to order!

  89. So pretty and so organized. LOVE IT!! My favorites are the three owls. I think I need to make a trip to Kirklands. Thanks so much for the eye candy and great inspiration! Have a fantastic day!

  91. I love all their stencils! I am really looking forward to doing some stencilling in my home!!

  92. My fav would be the chevron! Love what you did with the herringbone though!!

  94. Oh goodness! I NEED to win this stencil…I just decided this week that I want to do an accent wall…the Cascade Allover Stencil is my favorite!

  96. I just did an accent wall in my family room with the fuji stencil and LOVE IT!!!! But I have to admit I also love the chevron.

  97. I love the chevron stencil, it’s such a timeless stencil, I remember is from the 70’s but it’s always been around, even if it’s on a high resurgence right now I think it will always be popular.

  100. I’m going with the Charlotte All Over, but it’s hard to narrow down. And great minds must think alike, because I bought some of those crates from Joann’s to make a little bookshelf for my daughter!

  101. Sweet…love the total bookcase, but my favs are the crates and suitcases!!!! They’re just perfect used for storage!

  103. I can’t say I have just one favorite but my favorite style is the damask stencils

  111. I have been drooling over the Rabat Allover stencil for a very long time! I would LOVE to win this giveaway to finally get it! 🙂

  112. Love the tree with the birds…the hen with the chicks is my second!

  114. I like the Cascade Allover Stencil and the Chevron Allover Stencil and the Herringbone Allover Stencil. Love your bookcases!! They look so great!

  117. I Love the Charolette All Over stencil!!! This would be so Lovely on my Living room Wall & Curtain!

  120. It is So hard to choose, I love at least 10 other stencils, but lately i’ve been eyeing the Large Tree and Birds stencil.

  123. I would love the all over Chevron. I am looking to paint an accent wall in my boys room with it!!

  124. Love the Chevron all over and would love to do this in my computer desk cupboards.

  129. I have used Cutting Edge stencils before and have been itching to do another one! I LOVE what you did with your bookshelf/storage area. It’s AWESOME!

  132. I love the Tuscan Trellis stencil… have wanted to stencil curtains for my kitchen since the moment I saw it!

  133. I love the herringbone stencil….or the chevron….or well all of them really!
    What a fantastic giveaway and your bookcases are simply amazing!!

  134. My favourite stencil is the all-over polka dot! I plan to use it in my baby’s room (expecting our first this year)!

  136. Too hard to pick just one favorite 🙂 I am a sucker for paisley, though. The paisley all over is my fave.

  137. I live the look of the Charlotte All Over stencil. I’d like to use that eventually when we move into our house.

  142. Just purchased a Cutting Edge stencil, the small Rabat, to stencil in a kitchen backsplash. I cannot decide if I like the Chevron or the Herringbone better – I have a short interior hallway with lots of doors that I am painting all white and going down the sides with stripes and stenciling!

  143. I love this!! I think my favorite stencil is MOROCCAN TILES WALL PATTERN. It’s awesome! I’d love to put it on a rug.

  144. I love that chevron stencil…of course:)

    And I had my eye on one of their flower stencils since a few months ago, but haven’t bit the bullet yet and purchased…maybe I’ll win this and I won’t have to spend the money! Wishful thinking never hurt anyone, right?!

  147. I just recently placed my first order with cutting edge stencils. One of the ones I’m excited to get is the paisley. So many lovely options.

  151. They have so many beautiful stencils it is really hard to decide, but after seeing the herringbone design on your bookcases I think I am in love.

  154. I love the TUSCAN TRELLIS ALLOVER STENCIL, it would go great in the nursery I’m slowly getting put together. Also, I’m totally going to get crates from Joann’s. Very nice!

  156. I like the new Moroccan Tiles Wall Pattern stencil. I need that for my master bath!

  157. oooo I love the Chevron All Over but I also like the Charlotte Allover Stencil Pattern I think it would make a great backdrop in my studio!

  158. I’m defiantly loving the Herringbone….already now where to put it!!!

  160. I like the Tuscan Trellis Allover stencil – it would be perfect on a bookcase or a rug!
    Your bookcase makeover looks fantastic – I love the colors and the crates – great work!!

  161. I’m in the process of scraping wallpaper so I can stencil some of Cutting Edge’s awesome stencils. I love their Moroccan stencils. I haven’t been able to pick a favorite yet but it might be Casablanca!

  162. my favorite stencil is the new chevron. It looks so much easier than making chevrons with frog tape.

  166. Chevron is by far my fave! Wish I had the time to actually finish a project soon!

  168. Can’t decide between the herringbone and the chevron. Love them both!

  169. Do I have to pick just ONE favorite? I love Gabrielle Damask, but I’m really digging Charlotte all over. I also noticed their stripe stencils. I like those, too! If I had a fancy front room, I would pick the classic stencils. Maybe when i finally get my piano room, ;).

  171. I heart this shelf! I’m working on putting together my daughters’ room in our new house, and you’ve totally inspired me! My favorite stencil has to be the chevron.

  172. It is so hard to choose which of their stencils is my favorite! I am really in love with the Chevron one.

  173. Thank you for sharing your the pictures of your craft room shelving makeover. I am in the process of moving into my husband’s home office shelving unit that has been sitting in our basement for several years housing a TV, homeschool books, lego creations, etc. I feel like I have been all over our house trying to find a suitable place to not only store scrapbook/crafting supplies but also to create a nice welcoming place to scrapbk and craft. This is my 5th move w/i my house, but this seems to offer the best arrangement I could ask for. My shelving is located on a large wall at the bottom of our finished basement stairs. With a little shifting of furniture, I am hopeful to take over the floor space at the bottom of the stairs in front of the shelving to place my work table, sewing machine table, etc. Your shelving unit is very similar to the oak unit I am taking over. I am still in the process of relocating books and moving supplies onto the shelves. I like the wooden crates you used and will look for those at JoAnn’s & Michaels. This morning I ordered two sets of 2×3 wooden blackboards w/ clips from Pick Your Plum and hope to use those on canvas or wood crates that will store my paper colors and embellishments. I know this will be a work in progress but excited moving forward to hours of creating in a comfy, organized space. Thanks for sharing!

  175. I LOVE the Anna Damask stencil. I might have a slight obsession with damask and drool at the idea of a full wall.

  180. I love the chevron, and I already know what I want to do with it. Super cute bookshelves. I’m a bit jealous of how fabulous it looks and that it’s not in my house.

  181. Which stencil is my favorite? Do I have to choose? Every time I see another great project, I fall in love with another stencil! My current fave is the huge chrysanthemum, but I love most of the nature-inspired ones like branches and florals.

  184. I just love them all. Guess it depended on what room I was going to do. Love the site and love your blogs.. TY

  186. I’m totally loving the Rabat Allover Stencil and the Hourglass Allover Stencil… decisions, decisions.

    I love how your book shelf came together.

  188. Seriously darling Kel… I CAN call you that, right? Since you always call me Andr! LOL! SO I AM IN LOVE!!!! I want a cute crafty space!!!!! Oh and I like the herringbone and fishscale!
    Love YA!

  190. I’m beyond in lurrrvvve with this project….it turned out great… the vibe is just right in my book (a wonderful mix of vintage and bright happy today with some great mason jars thrown in – of course!) how could it be better. I’d love to be able to do something similar by winning this giveaway – my fav would be…mmmmm….either the chevron or fuji!

  191. I absolutely love the bookcases! It almost seems like it all seems much lighter than when the background was white. So cheerful!

    As for this super awesome giveaway, I love the all over chevron and herringbone.

  195. This is BEYOND lovely! So so beautiful. I love everything you did and everything you’re using to store stuff. So pretty!

  201. I love the herringbone you used! I think I’d use it on my dinning room table

  203. Okay, Lollyjane girls.. I am OOOOBER, DOOOOBER jealous of this ADORABLY YUMMY!! room 🙂 Don’t be surprised if you here me knocking on the door, so I can come in and drool all over your carpet 🙂 I am SADLY without a craft room since we sold our house and are now renting… But my fingers and brain are now itching to do something after seeing this.. 🙂 Awesome giveaway, by the way.
    xo
    Angelina

  205. Absolutely stunning! You did such an amazing job, Kelli! I love the yellow stenciling and the vintage crates. 🙂

  206. I love the chevron. I too am doing my craft room over, but it will be yellow and gray. I love your colors!

  207. There are several that I would love to have but my favorite is the Ikat zig zag.

  208. Great stencils! I think the Zagora all over stencil is just what my half bath needs.

  210. It’s such a toss-up between chevron, herringbone, and polka-dot! I love so many of their stencils!,

  211. I am so in love with all the chevron right now! Would love the chevron stencil!!!

  216. I love Cutting Edge Stencils. I won one in October and stenciled my whole wall in my office. It looks incredible!! Love it!!

  219. It looks AMAZING! I LOVE the herringbone! I also love the fuji! So many great options!

  221. I LOVE the chevron…but I think my husband will flip for the fish scale…so we’d probably get that one. 🙂 I need to learn compromise sometimes, right? 🙂

  224. I’m totally torn between the fish scales and the chevron as I really love both!

  233. Awesome! Love all the details you’ve incorporated in the craft bookcase. A great place to get inspired!

  235. Chevron baby!! Drooling over this space! I did not see the info on the 1-8 craft boxes… what are those? I’m not certain those are the vintage ones you refer too…. NEED THOSE stat!!! 🙂

    anyway you can email me where you found them ? TY
    Marcy

  237. Hahaha! This WAS a playroom and my kids downgraded to a smaller space (; LOL

  238. Acck! I was so busy drooling over your bookcase I forgot to mention the stencil…Chevrons all the way, love them!

  239. this is lovely! I’m especially fond of the way you’ve got your paints stored! Now if I could just get my son to vacate his room I could have a craft room ;o) Just kidding!

  244. SO cute Kelli! I love those suitcases, they are perfect. I would TOTALLY be inspired working in this space.

  247. I love it! The herring bone yellow looks fabulous! Love all of the eclectic storage ideas too – did you make the number crates? Amazing job! 🙂

  256. I am totally head over feet in love! You did an AMAZING job! It is beautiful and totally drool worthy and SO organized! I just can’t seem to keep my craft space organized like this! But what a dream and inspiration your storage is! Thank you SO much for the beautiful break from my day!!!
    Jaime 🙂

  257. Also, I would want the Chevron stencil. Chevrons have been growing on me here lately.

  258. I love your craft room storage space. I love your space altogether to be honest. I have a tiny sewing space and it is so confining.

  260. Wow! What a great makeover! I was looking at their website and the Birch Forest Stencil looks really neat – would be great in a boy nursery.

  262. I just can’t choose a favorite! I love them all! The fishscale is pure awesomeness!

  264. Zagora Allover is one of my faves…but there are about 10 others I’d LOVE to get, too!!!

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