How to Add Wallpaper to the Back of a Bookcase

This article is sponsored by Wayfair and includes affiliate links.

This is a straightforward DIY that will assist you in revitalizing a bookshelf, while staying economical. If you wish to wallpaper a bookcase to introduce color (and playfulness) to your living area or reading corner, this article is for you.

Wallpaper Within an Arched Bookcase

By now, I’m quite familiar with peel and stick wallpaper. I recently added a feature wall to our basement restroom, and prior to that, I wallpapered the insides of our kitchen cabinets, just to mention a couple of projects. Most recently, I opted to bring some whimsy to our living room by wallpapering the backside of a bookshelf.

Previously, we had an artificial tree in this spot, but I have been eager to showcase books and treasures in our living room. Therefore, I acquired this arched shelf from Wayfair. The light wood finish pairs beautifully with our existing rattan cabinets.

You can also apply wallpaper to built-in bookcases or an older piece of furniture for a makeover.

This is actually the same Willowberry wallpaper that I utilized in our small restroom, just in a different color scheme.

How to Wallpaper the Rear of a Bookcase

This is an excellent beginner DIY task! You will only require a few supplies to commence.

Materials List

Step-by-Step Directions

Here are the procedures for applying peel and stick wallpaper to the rear of a bookcase.

1. If possible, detach the shelves from the bookcase. Measure the interior (the back) of the bookcase where you plan to add wallpaper. If you couldn’t remove the shelves, measure each section individually. Pro tip: Add an additional inch to each measurement.
2. Next, lay out the peel and stick wallpaper on a clean surface (it’s helpful to place some heavy items to keep it in place). Utilize the measuring tape and pencil to mark the appropriate width and height onto the wallpaper. Use scissors to cut the wallpaper.
3. If your bookshelf is wider than the strip of wallpaper: you will need to cut multiple sections to cover the area. Pro tip: When employing two strips beside one another, ensure that the wallpaper pattern lines up.
4. Peel back the top edge of the wallpaper and position it at the top of the bookcase, leaving a slight overhang to trim later. Gradually peel the wallpaper backing downward, sticking the wallpaper to the interior of the bookcase and pressing out any air bubbles.
5. Utilize the wallpaper tool (or a credit card) to push the wallpaper into the corners. Finally, use a precision knife to trim the excess wallpaper.

These steps are quite similar to those I followed when installing wallpaper within kitchen cabinets, so you can also refer to that article for additional images.

Speaking of the kitchen, I applied the same method to add wallpaper to the sides of the kitchen cabinets. No surface is safe from my wallpapering these days!

Peel and stick wallpaper is a simple method to introduce charm and liveliness to a space, without a significant commitment. And as long as you test the wallpaper on a small area first (to ensure it can be removed easily), this is also a fantastic DIY project for renters.

Peel and Stick Wallpaper Selections

If you have any inquiries, feel free to leave a comment below!