We were at the store in search of a couch, which we acquired (more on that soon, I promise), but we also needed some bookshelves. I don't know if they were featured in any of my boring apartment pictures, but I've got boxes and boxes of books just laying around the apartment with no where to put them.
Problem?
Even though we've been here for over 6 months, the boxes everywhere make it look like we just moved in.
Solution?
More bookshelves. Specifically, the KILBY bookcase that we found for a steal ($25) at IKEA.
The new problem?
It's kind of well, ugly as all get out. See for yourselves:
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| The KILBY bookcase from IKEA |
What in the name of interior decorating is with that ugly grey backing? It seems to be the only difference between the KILBY and the much more expensive BILLY is that ug-o grey back.
New solution?
No problem, we'll hack it and make it pretty.
Enter two cans of Krylon Island Splash spray-paint. Only my husband and I are crazy enough to be spray painting outside when it's 20 degrees. We had one of those plastic table-cloth covers and we laid it over the back of our balcony so that we could spray away without worrying about making a mess in our rented space.
It took several coats of paint (we had to run out mid-project to get the second can of paint), and was frustratingly uneven for most of the job. It's been a long time since I spray painted anything, and for some reason I completly forgot how difficult it can be to get everything to come out smooth and even (even if you're using a glossy finish paint). But in the end, everything turned out even better than I had expected.
It took several coats of paint (we had to run out mid-project to get the second can of paint), and was frustratingly uneven for most of the job. It's been a long time since I spray painted anything, and for some reason I completly forgot how difficult it can be to get everything to come out smooth and even (even if you're using a glossy finish paint). But in the end, everything turned out even better than I had expected.
Check it out:
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| I call it the KILBY SPLASH |
I love our IKEA hack! It adds such a wonderful splash of color to our drab apartment!
So what's next? We're supposed to be getting a couch and well... stay tuned!
So what do you guys think? Would you "hack" a bookcase like this? Have you? What's your favorite hack? Let us know in the comments!
