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Punch Up Your Shelving
Show Off Shelves (and What's On Them) With a Backing of Pattern and Color
A great way to add a touch of color or pattern to a room is by lining the back of bookshelves and built-ins with paint, wallpaper or fabric. Adding this contrasting element draws the eye to the area and at the same time highlights the items displayed on the shelves.
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The green lining the back of these bookcases adds dimension to the space, contrasting beautifully with the pale wood tone. I believe this is a wallpaper with a modern striae effect, but perhaps it is a painted treatment. Either way, this element makes the room!
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A sophisticated pattern in richly muted colors is gorgeous behind glass shelving. I'm not certain if the material is fabric or wallpaper, but a great way to achieve this look would be to cover sheets of poster board cut down to the necessary size with fabric. And best, should you tire of the look it would be easy to remove or replace with another color or pattern.
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| Mrs. Limestone highlights her collection of vintage cameras by lining the back of her dining room built-ins with wallpaper. The bold pattern works because the cream seen in the print blends into the shelving painted a similar tone. |
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On this expansive wall a combination of paint and wallpaper adds significant drama and interest. This treatment visually breaks up the long wall unit. If left all white, it would not have this impact.
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by Birdseye Design
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| The wall behind the ledge shelving in this modern rustic mudroom brings in a subtle touch of pattern, following the muted tones of the design. |
Simple cabinetry in a mudroom looks great when the storage unit gets a bright dose of green.
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An enlarged recipe lines the back of this built-in shelving, which is set up as a hot chocolate station. What a creative addition!
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Creating a small workstation from a closet is a popular trend in homes where space is tight. Lining the wall behind the desktop and shelving with a feminine wallpaper helps this space-saving solution become an inviting spot to catch up on a little work.
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Painting the deeply recessed wall of this wet bar a rich chocolate brown adds visual weight and interest, making this portion of the room a focal point.
by Monica Ewing
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Boxes stacked on top of one another become a charming substitute for a bookcase when painted a pretty turquoise and lined with a floral paper.
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by Jenny Carter
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| A rich coral paint lining the back of a large wall unit highlights the decorative items placed on the ledges, and somehow manages to take the emphasis away from the TV. |
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With ingenuity a workspace for two is created within a main living area behind drapery panels. The station feels special through the addition of a yellow and white striped wallpaper, against which the black elements and collection of white pottery pop.
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Ideabook published on April 9, 2011.
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