One of the most surprisingly versatile pieces of decor conveniently happens to be one of the most prevalent: a bookcase! Whether you have a charming vintage version or an affordable one from Ikea, you can use it to do much more than stash books. Keep reading to discover six surprisingly creative ways to use bookcases in every room of the house.
Bar
Short on space and lacking a bar cart, Julie Blanner [1] painted the inside of the storage cabinets in her bookcase white and stocked them with bar supplies to transform it into a veritable home bar.
Wardrobe
Rachel of A Beautiful Mess [2] turned a simple Ikea bookcase into a stylish (and cheap) wardrobe by lining it with pretty contact paper and installing a rod for hanging clothes.
Kitchen Storage
Instead of doing a major construction project to add more cabinets to your kitchen, simply place an attractive bookcase against an open wall and fill it up like Stacy of Not Just a Housewife [3] did.
Mantel
You don't need a fireplace to get the design effect of a mantel: just look to the top of your bookcase, like Janssen of Everyday Reading [4] did. She used it to create a beautiful seasonal display.
Backdrop
Those shelves can do more than support books — they're also the perfect ledge upon which to hang a backdrop, like Jenny from Little Green Notebook [5] did when setting up a stylish seasonal buffet spread.
Covert Storage
Instead of lining up books on your shelves, slide storage baskets onto them. They're perfect for stashing unsightly papers or supplies. Extra points for using pretty woven versions like these from Pottery Barn [6].