Quick and Easy Painted Bookshelf Makeover

This super-simple painted bookshelf makeover was completed in just a couple of hours and under $20.  No heavy sanding, no priming, and no clear coat (and two years later, it still looks great).  See how I refinished it in a matte black for a dark forest nursery!

Painted Bookshelf Makeover in BLACK

I’m a fan of dark colors and dark-painted furniture. My house is filled with several dark stained or painted pieces, and more than one room is a deep shade of navy or hunter green.  

There’s something old and cozy about dark colors. As an added bonus, it hides flaws on older pieces better than light colors. Matte black was an easy choice for this painted bookshelf makeover which I used in my first son’s nursery. 

I chose the same paint to makeover his toy chest, which my great-grandfather built for my dad.  The black fit with the darker forest theme of E’s room and contrasted well with the light color of the dressers.  

Material List for this Painted Bookshelf Makeover

• Valspar Cabinet & Furniture Paint (Satin Kettle Black)
• Paintbrush (I prefer Purdy Syntax brushes for their smooth finish)
• 180 to 220-grit sandpaper or sanding sponges (use lower grit if your piece has a thick varnish or build-up, then go over with a higher grit for a smooth finish)
• Cloths for cleaning the wood post-sanding
• Dropcloth 

Should You Sand Wood Furniture Before Painting?

The short answer is: Maybe.  I chose to lightly sand this bookshelf since the stain and sealer were a little built-up in some areas.  By “lightly sand” I mean I took a 220-grit paper on my mouser and ran it quickly over the flat surfaces.  This took the top layer off of the wood and gave it a smooth, even finish which is better for paint adherence. 

Should You Prime Before Painting Furniture Black or Seal After?

Nope, you don’t have to if you’re using quality paint, especially if there is primer built-in. Tannins in some wood will easily bleed through paint, especially white or light-colored paint. Luckily, this wasn’t an issue at all for this bookshelf since the paint was a matte black.  

As far as a top coat, I skipped it on this piece since I used this Valspar Project Perfect latex enamel paint that is meant to be durable.  And boy, was it durable! My son is almost two now, yet the bookshelf has stood up to his beating, banging, and dragging out books over and over. There are zero scratches after almost two years.  Pretty impressive, Valspar! Unfortunately, it’s no longer sold at regular retail stores. Instead, I recommend a similar Valspar Cabinet & Furniture Paint. It’s still a durable enamel paint meant to stand up against wear and tear.

A light sanding and two coats of this matte black paint were all it took to turn a scuffed bookshelf into a dark beauty.  The best part of this project was being able to skip the steps of heavy sanding, priming, and applying wax or clear coat.  I’ll definitely be using this type of paint again for my darker pieces!

For more painted furniture inspiration, check out my articles on this Vintage Typewriter Desk and Drop-Leaf Buffet.  If you like the idea of a forest-theme nursery and DIY nursery furniture, read about how I refinished and reupholstered this Antique Rocking Chair.