In searching for the perfect bookshelf for my son’s room, I have come up empty handed, and I’m turning to repurposing for a solution (remember the repurposed ladder bookshelves seen here and here?). I have wanted to stay away from cliche themes, hoping to create a place that simply inspires creativity and thinking outside of the box. With that said, here are a few creative repurposing bookshelf ideas that I’ve found, many of which would be perfect for a grown-up’s room too!
Petits Details, a delightful Parisian blog that provides me with much inspiration, creatively used an antique toy truck to hold a collection of kids books. Isn’t it ingeniously sweet?
This skateboard bookshelf from Skate Study House seems like a good way to repurpose of all my husband’s old skate decks….but don’t tell him about my evil plot!
As seen on Recyclart, French designer Elodie Flamant plays new life into a discarded vintage guitar case by decoupaging the inside with newsprint and inserting metal rods. I love how this bookshelf is perfect sitting on the ground, making it easy for baby to access.
Reading in Public curates a fantastic Library! exhibit, wherein a repurposed newspaper rack travels to different cities, encouraging a revival in the art of reading. I wonder if this will cause a revival in repurposing abandoned racks too!
While this is not necessarily suitable for a baby’s nursery, Country Home showcased a lovely powder room door that doubles as a bookshelf! Attach a few painted wood planks onto a door, and indeed, it serves as an excellent repurposed bookshelf.
Ah, this may quite a familiar photo to you from my home, but even a library card catalog can be used to create a mini-bookshelf for your favorite reads.
Do you have any repurposed bookshelves in your home? I’d love to hear about them!
14 responses so far ↓
1 ljcadv // Nov 20, 2009 at 2:50 pm
love the newspaper stand one and of course your library card catalog!
2 Emily // Nov 20, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Wow, these are so neat! I love the creativity and repurposing going on here!
3 Erin // Nov 20, 2009 at 8:16 pm
I have been searching for a newspaper rack and no luck
4 Karen Haberstro-Walls // Nov 22, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Shelving is certainly something everyone needs in one way or another. Good post. Nothing beats planks (old doors , lumber, etc) supported on either end by crates – either plastic or wood. You can layer it as many levels as you choose. For a young child’s room they could be secured to the wall for safety with brackets or cleats. Lots of possibilities for color and style….!
5 Midwest Multiproducts » Blog Archive » 5 Repurposed Bookshelves for Your Literary Pleasure | Poetic Home … // Nov 23, 2009 at 2:19 am
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6 kate skogen // Nov 23, 2009 at 3:51 pm
first of all, i absolutely adore your blog!! great photos and wonderful, ORIGINAL content. hard to find in today’s blogosphere.
and i LOVE the guitar case idea. i’ll totally do something like that in my son’s room. maybe a little cluster of cases from different instruments. we re-used whiskey & wine boxes in his room: http://bit.ly/4FrGvK
7 Lauren Liess // Nov 23, 2009 at 6:33 pm
i love the truck & door especially!!! I can’t wait what you decide to do & can’t wait to see your photos!! Can’t tell you enough how beautiful I think your photos are!!
I also have to say for babies/ kids’ spaces, I do love those wal rack book shelves where the front of the book is displayed for eay picking for little fingers… Don’t have one but would love one for my son’s room…
xoxo,
lauren @pure style home
8 Lauren Liess // Nov 23, 2009 at 6:33 pm
ok, i can’t type: I meant “wall rack” bookshelves and “easy” picking — sorry!
9 Albert // Nov 23, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Totally agree with Kate (above)! Very original content.. it’s soo cozyy
. This post makes me wanna cut some wood and make my own cool unique bookshelve.
10 Jamilyn // Nov 24, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Great ideas here. Very creative solutions!
~jamilyn~
11 captainmordinary // Nov 26, 2009 at 3:35 am
I snagged three winecrates this week for free at a local store, and I am going it hit up a girlfriend who is a scrapbooking freak — seriously, her workroom rivals STORES I have been in — for some papers to put on the inside.
My boyfriend really loved the guitar case bookshelf. However, he was NOT amenable to the suggestion that he donate one of his guitar cases for this. I have no idea why…
12 Suzanne // Nov 26, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Precious red truck Miss Grace! I guess I know what’s on your mind these days…and I love your library card catalogue. I think I told you that before. You are so chic!
Ciao bella and Happy Thanksgiving to you all,
Suzanne
13 havilah // Nov 29, 2009 at 6:30 pm
wonderful ideas! the guitar case is quite inventive.
14 Suzy Pierce // Dec 2, 2009 at 2:57 am
As always, you are full of inspiration! I love your card catalogue and that red truck is adorable. Thanks! Suzy
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