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How to upgrade plain floating shelves

By Bunnings magazine /

Floating shelves seen through an archway lit up with LED lights and topped with books and decor

Shelf styling

Looking for ways to display small decor items or books? Floating shelves from Bunnings are easy to install and the perfect storage solution for your home or office. Styling your shelves is a heap of fun, but why not turn the shelves themselves into a design asset? Using three shades of paint and colour-changing strip lights, we’ve given these once-plain white shelves wow factor.

Steps

1Prep the surface

Wearing a mask, gloves and eye protection, sand shelves all over using 240-grit abrasive paper and a sanding block to create a key, then wipe away sanding dust with a microfibre cloth.

2Apply primer and paint

Working on a drop sheet, use a short-nap mini roller to apply a coat of primer to all faces of the shelves and leave to dry. Using a spray gun or clean mini roller covers, apply several light coats of paint to the shelves, leaving to dry after each. Note: We used three colours: Dulux English Rose (top), Dulux Scampi (centre) and British Paints Apricot Lace (bottom).

3Install shelves and lights

Measure and mark the wall to install the shelves at least 300mm apart, following the manufacturer’s instructions and using the supplied fixings for stud or masonry walls. Position strip lights along the back edges.

4Find shelves for every space

Check out the full range of floating shelves.

 

Photo Credit: James Moffatt

Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.