Hi friends! Today, I’m excited to share how we transformed two old, wooden bookcases into custom built-ins for our hearth and mantel. This project was a labor of love, and I’m thrilled with how it turned out!
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Where We Started: A Dark Red Fireplace & Shelving on the Hearth
When we closed on our house, the first thing we noticed about the living room was the dark red brick hearth and mantel. The previous owner had left behind two wooden bookcases on the hearth that they used as shelving.
I knew right away that I wanted to add shelving on either side of the fireplace, but I wasn’t sure what type of fireplace I wanted (open, wood-burning, gas, etc.) or how I would incorporate the bookcases into the space. I considered floating shelves at first, but the bookcases had a certain charm, so I wasn’t sure if I should repurpose them or install something new entirely.
The original fireplace was open, but the previous owners bricked it up to install a wood-burning stove. We briefly considered putting a stove back in, especially since the piping was already in place. However, we realized we would need to pay someone to inspect the chimney to make sure it was safe to use.
In the end, we decided to go with gas logs. I found a perfect gas log heater on Facebook Marketplace that fit the space, and from there, we got started with the makeover!
First Steps: Painting the Brick & Bookcases
Before anything else, we painted the brick hearth and both of the bookcases. We put a fresh coat of white paint on the brick, which really brightened up the space.
The heater got a fresh coat of white as well, and we painted the gold trim on the fireplace matte black using this fire-resistant spray paint.
After painting, we placed them all on the hearth……and I wasn’t in love with it. While this update was a step in the right direction, once we put everything in place, it felt like three large, separate pieces trying to fill up the space. It didn’t have the cohesive, built-in look I was going for.
The Turning Point: Turning Bookcases Into Built-Ins
That’s when my mom suggested we change the molding on the bookcases to match the fireplace molding. This idea eventually led to the decision to turn the entire bookcases into custom built-ins!
We started by taking pictures of the fireplace molding to match it at Lowe’s.
A quick note: I don’t have exact measurements to share because this was a custom project for my space, but I will detail all the tools and materials we used so you can recreate it for your home.
Part 1: Taking Apart the Bookcases
The first step in the build was to take apart the bookcases. My dad and husband removed the existing molding from the tops of the bookcases, then took off the arched piece from the front. This left us with a standard, boxed bookcase.
Next, they measured from the top of the bookcase to the ceiling. They cut and nailed wood to either side of the bookcase, securing the new side pieces with a nailer board (see in Part 2 ). This extra wood helped keep everything sturdy, especially when the bookcase is bumped.
We added the curved piece back to the front but opted not to add wood to the back of the shelf because I liked the way the brick peeked through.
Part 2: Adding the Moulding
Now it was time to add the new molding! My dad measured and used a miter saw (or miter box) to cut the molding to create a clean outside corner.
We ran into a little issue here: the new molding wouldn’t sit flush against the wall because of the existing crown molding and ceiling trim. So, we had two options:
- Option 1: Cut a piece of the crown molding away and slide the new molding flush against the wall.
- Option 2: Trace the outline of the crown molding onto the new molding and cut the end of the new piece to fit flush against both the ceiling trim and the wall.
We chose Option 2, and my dad used a jigsaw to cut the molding to match the outline of the ceiling trim. This way, we avoided having to cut into the ceiling trim itself, so if we ever want to take the built-ins down, we won’t have to replace the ceiling trim.
Part 3: Finishing the Details
Once the molding was in place, we secured it with finishing screws. To create a seamless, professional look, we added small trim to cover the seams between the added wood and the original bookcase. After applying the trim, we caulked all the holes and seams to create a smooth, flawless surface for painting.
Here is the final outcome! DIY built-ins from old wooden bookcases. Eventually I may figure out a way to hide the nailers, but for now, I am very happy with the results.
The total cost for this project was around $40, which is an incredible bargain for custom built-ins! We already had most of the materials on hand—paint, nails, screws, caulk, and extra wood from previous projects. We only needed to buy the molding and trim, which cost us about $15 per piece for the molding (we used two pieces) and $5–6 per piece for the small trim.
I’m so pleased with how this project turned out, and I hope it inspires you to repurpose old furniture or bookcases in your own home! It’s amazing how a little creativity and elbow grease can completely transform a space.
What do you think of our DIY built-ins? Have you done any similar projects in your home? Leave a comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
