DIY Wave IKEA Bookshelf
It’s been awhile since my last IKEA hack, and after the kitchen remodel I’ve been itching to get another one in the books. This DIY came about in phases but, the end result and overall tutorial couldn’t be easier! Over the past year I’ve been leaning in more to organic furniture and design elements. Through this I’ve become a big fan of Sarah Sherman Samuel and her design aesthetic! When she released her collaboration with West Elm kids there were several piece I added to my wishlist - this wave shelf included!
Originally, I thought I would use a wavy piece of trim (laser cut) that I found on Etsy. With a $26 price tag I decided to turn to the internet to another material. I came across a TikTok tutorial that pointed toward using corregated wood trim, which is absolutely genius! At less than $7 for a 8ft span it’s perfect for this project. You can find this material in the roofing department of your hardware store. Continue reading for the full tutorial.
DIY Wave IKEA Bookshelf
what you’ll need…
Wood Solid Roof Panel Closure Strip
Sandpaper (one to remove another to finish)
Paint (of your choice) use a good quality paint!
Microfiber cloth
How to Make a Wavy Bookshelf
When you purchase the roof panel, you may notice it will need additional sanding. I recommend first cutting your panel to size, then sanding after. I used two sandpaper finishes to remove the rough edges and create a smooth surface. If you choose, you can also prime your panel at this step. Once cut and sanded, I attached the panel to the front edge of the IKEA Mosslanda with wood glue. I used small clamps on the edges and medium size clamps in the middle to ensure the panels adhered to the surface for a firm grip.
I let the wood glue sit overnight before removing the clamps. Next, I sanded the entire shelf and removed any high spots or blemishes from the front panel. Once sanded, use a microfiber cloth to remove any excess dust. Next, caulk the space between the panel and the bookshelf: once dry/set sand one additional time to remove any excess caulking. Since this bookshelf will be painted as a whole, It’s important to prep the IKEA shelf properly!
How to Paint IKEA Furniture
One thing to note when painting IKEA furniture is the importance of sanding. For the primer/paint to correctly adhere to your furniture, you must sand before! Once your trim has been applied to the book ledge, calk in between, let dry, and lightly sand to remove any high spots. From here, you can use a microfiber cloth to remove excess dust. The best primer for IKEA furniture is Zinsser BIN Interior Multi-purpose Shellac. It is pricier but works exceptionally well to keep painted IKEA furniture scuff-free. The other great thing about this primer is that it dries reasonably quickly, so your work time isn’t as long.
Once my primer was completely dry, I went in with 2-coats of my paint of choice (linked above.) Utilizing a higher-quality paint to ensure coverage and protect your piece from wear/tear is important. I’d suggest waiting at least a week before placing books back on your shelf. Paint takes time to harden and cure - so to be on the safe side, give it time!
The entire DIY Wave Bookshelf is linked on my Instagram as well as in my Instagram Highlights.
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