How to Wallpaper Built in Shelves – The Easy Way!

Are Home Staging? Do you want low cost home improvements that add value? Whatever your goal, we have something that will make your home pop for as little as $45. How to Wallpaper Built in Shelves – The Easy Way!

How to Wallpaper Built in Shelves

Let’s chat. This is FRUGAL Coupon Living. I have spent much of the past few months improving the value of our older home for under $100 per project. I just a few months time, I have bought and sold furniture on Facebook Marketplace, added an art gallery wall, painted our banisters/stairs, and wallpapered built in shelves.

How to Wall Paper Built Ins

Of my home projects, I would say that this cost the least and improved our home value and staged the home the most. For this easy wallpaper behind built ins project, I used a peel and stick grasscloth wallpaper. Initially I was going to paint the back of the built in for a bold effect but I loved how the peel and stick wall paper gave me two things 1.) texture 2.) the ability to easily change.

Supplies:

Scott Living 30.75-sq ft Indigo Vinyl Textured Abstract 3D Self-Adhesive Peel and Stick Wallpaper

I used two rolls of peel and stick faux grasscloth wallpaper. To calculate your number of rolls, multiple the height of your bookshelves by your width. If you are under 30 square feet, you will need one roll (each roll is 30.75 sq-feet). I would suggest buying one more roll than you need. I used two on this wall but it would have been nice to have an extra third roll for mistakes and cutting precise pieces.

Tip: A wallpaper tip for a dark peel and stick wallpaper is to pay attention to the lot number. I made sure all of my wall paper lot numbers were the same so I know they came from the same dye. This can be seen near the serial and item number.

Wallpaper Smoothing Tool Kit

In the wallpaper smoothing kit, I especially liked the blue wallpaper squeegee. This plastic smoother had felt on the end protecting the wallpaper.

Craft Knife

The kit came with a craft knife and blade but the quality wasn’t great, that is why I prefer using Friskars craft knife or another brand.

Ruler

This will be used for measuring as well as cutting precise edges at the very end of the project. I found the metal ruler most resourceful.

Cloth

Scissors

If you have everything on hand, depending on your project size and which wall paper you decide, you can pay as little as $45 for the roll of wallpaper!

Grasscloth Wallpaper Behind Shelves

To wallpaper on back of bookshelves, the first thing you need to do is to remove your shelves. Clean the back of your bookcase with a damp cloth to remove dust. Let your built-in dry fully before you begin the next step.

Measure your wallpaper. I cut about two to four inches longer than the length I needed. This gave me space adding extra at the top and at the bottom. I used the back of the wallpaper for stenciling a line and cutting along that pattern.

Since I was not working with a wallpaper pattern, I started at the edge of the bookcase. Peel the top six inches of the backing of your peel and stick wallpaper off. Place about an inch or two onto the ceiling. You will cut this off later during your final steps.

Slowly peel away the backing as you bring the wallpaper down to the baseboard or bottom of your  built-in. As you go, routinely slide your plastic smoother to the right and left, up and down removing all bubbles. Slow and steady.

Once at the of the back of your bookshelf, leave about an inch for overhang. You will cut this off later.

Cut out your next section and begin your second row. For my built-ins, I overlapped my rolls of wallpaper. Because there is no pattern to line I felt safe doing this and appreciated that there was less cutting in the process.

You can see an example of my overlap, while noticeable very close, you cannot tell from far away.

Once I was done laying my wall paper, I used a metal ruler as a guide to cut. I place the ruler along the seam and then used my crafting knife to cut. The wallpaper peeled up flawlessly and the line was perfectly straight.

Working behind the television required some measuring. In that case, I flipped the roll of the peel and stick grasscloth wallpaper over and used my pencil to sketch the line where I would need to cut.

Above the television, I knew the width of the wall paper roll would require more than two sheets. I cut a four inch square and placed it up top. Then I added my cuts of wallpaper. You could not notice the step. It merely filled the inch or two of white spice that would have otherwise shown.

Viola. Finished product. You can’t even see the seams from afar and the built-ins are transformed and look top notch. It added a pop of color to my space without having to spend very much money. We are loving the new look!

Where to Buy Peel & Stick Grasscloth Wallpaper

The best thing about Peel & Stick Wallpaper is exactly what it says. Peel it and stick it to the wall. It is also very easy for removing especially if you are in a rental home or apartment. It can change the feel of a space with little to no work or cost.

There are a number of places you can buy peel & stick grasscloth wallpaper.

Peel & Stick Grasscloth Wallpaper Home Depot

Peel & Stick Grasscloth Wallpaper Lowe’s

Peel & Stick Grasscloth Wallpaper Etsy

Peel & Stick Grasscloth Wallpaper Amazon

Peel & Stick Grasscloth Wallpaper Wayfair

Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your final peel and stick wallpaper bookcase.  Leave a comment and/or add a photo of your wallpaper inside a bookcase on Pinterest!

Most of my home inspiration comes from Embracing Grandmillenial Style & Design. I love mixing antiques with modern touches. In fact, on my styled grasscloth built-ins, there are many elements of my grandmother. Pin to Pinterest.

Most of my Home Staging projects are done over the weekend! Take a look at these Weekend DIY Home Projects & Ideas. We are not selling, but I am always improving. Pin to Pinterest.

WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Christmas, Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next party.

Last Updated on February 24, 2021 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living