Magazine File Makeover: Hidden Bookshelf Storage

Today’s little project was a last minute makeover for the Revamp, Restyle, Reveal challenge and one that I liked so much that I felt that it was worth sharing. As a hoarder, I love being able to use up leftover materials and this project makes use of the little scraps that I never thought I would use. Bonus. Whether you just don’t like your files on display, or you need a clever hiding place for your priceless diamonds, this magazine file makeover will have your shelves looking stylish in minutes.

magazine file makeover

Now, they’re not the worst things in the world, but I’ve always found magazine files to look so ‘functional’. Not that functional is a bad thing; far from it, they just look a bit ‘officey’. *My new word, you heard it here first.

Now check this pic…

Not a hint of ‘officey’ in sight. Can you tell where they are? (it’s okay, just pretend that you don’t).

Ready for a magazine file makeover ‘how to’ ? Here goes…

You Will Need:

Magazine files or box files

Scraps of fabric slightly taller than the height of the file

Thin strips of wood or cardboard (for the spines of the books)

Spray adhesive (PVA would do the same but with a little patience)

Glue gun (or other strong adhesive)

Magazine File Makeover Instructions:

For the spines of the books, I used scraps of wood trim left over from previous DIY projects. If you don’t have left over trim, you could cut thin strips of cardboard, layered to get variations in thickness. These variations will add dimension to your books.

magazine file makeover

I cut the strips into lengths slightly taller than the height of the file. Varying height and width. Keep the spines close in height so that the illusion isn’t spoiled when folk see that the ‘book’ is only just a spine!

magazine file makeover

magazine file makeover

At this stage, I painted the magazine file black, to provide depth should any spaces be seen between your fake books.

magazine file makeover

Whilst this was drying, I moved on to the next bit…

Lay each spine onto a scrap of fabric, ensuring that there is enough to wrap around the back. I didn’t fold over the top and bottom, I chose to trim these neatly to the edge of the wood, as this gave a better impression of being a book cover. Folding it looked a little fake.

magazine file makeover

Coat each strip in glue, front and back and smooth your fabric on neatly with your fingers. Start on the face then fold around to the back. Trim the top and bottom neatly with a sharp pair of scissors.

You may wish to paint some of your spines. I used left over emulsion paint, applied in two or three thin coats to allow the texture of the fabric to still be seen. Variation in surface texture and finish also adds to the reality of the illusion.

Once dry, glue your books in place. I recommend an ever-so-slight ‘tilt’ to one or two so that they aren’t too regimented.

Tip: If you aren’t able to completely hide your files within a bookshelf, you could add a sheet of thin wood or card to the exposed side of your file, covered in the same fabric as the spine it would be attached to.

magazine file makeover

The Finished Magazine File Makeover

magazine file makeover

magazine file makeover

Placing your magazine file on the shelf really is the final step. Off the shelf, it really just looks…well, a bit crap. The illusion is all part of the beauty.

Magazine file makeover.

I may consider some lettering to add to the illusion, perhaps using transfers, as my handwriting is atrocious (and I want this to be as convincing as possible). For now, I am quite happy with the plain version.

 

3 thoughts on “Magazine File Makeover: Hidden Bookshelf Storage”

  1. THIS. IS. EVERYTHING! I’m in love with the entire design; from the color palette, vintage and eclectic charm, to the creative DIY artistry. If I were given the opportunity to design a room from scratch, it would look just like this. I bet the rest of your home is dreamy! I wish you’d post more project pictures of your home for those, like myself, needing inspiration!! Thank you for sharing!

  2. I’m not one to advocate cutting up old books (!) but sometimes the books are falling apart and pretty much useless. What if – you cut the spines from the books and glue those onto the backs of the magazine files? I like your scrapwood, but myself, I don’t have any around. I can, however, pick up old books at the thrift shops for ten-per-pound.

    Meanwhile, I’ll stop discarding the old magazine fileboxes we have around here… 😉

    1. I would definitely use old books (as long as they were useless). As much as I have an eye for a bargain, I haven’t spotted any charity shops nearby with such a good deal on. My magazine file would cost upwards of £10 if I were to do that. I’m slightly envious! Haha!

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