Have you heard of Freecycle? It’s an online site where you register and can post/pick-up freebies in your area.
We were able to pick up this used mantle for free! However, hubby had a different vision! He wanted to make it into a bookcase!
This was the original mantle that we picked up for FREE! We had scraps of wood and 2×4’s, so he framed out the back with the 2×4’s.
This gave it a look of slat-board, with the wood being close together. He also used scrap pieces of
wood to frame in the sides as well, but they were a longer board (6’x2′) that he cut in two.
We had leftover molding from building our addition that he used to hold the shelves in place.
This was mid-process, before the painting was complete and the shelves were added!
Once the shelves were added, we had our new bookcase!
Here it is below the painting my grandfather hand-painted over 30 years ago (my parents at the bottom of the tree).
Here’s a closer view of the shelves. This looks amazing with our black furniture! I wish I could show you a 3D pic!
All that was required for this project was $4 in flat black spray paint, and $8 for the backer board. My husband used scrap wood for the shelves and the back, and then placed backer board over the wood backing. Not bad for a completed bookshelf! Even the particle board shelves from Walmart are at least $25-$40 and they don’t have any character! LOL
Check out our article about how to find the BEST DEAL on Toilet Paper HERE!
An amazingly cute idea!! How perfect would this be in a home office!?!
Your husband must be a genius. Who would ever think of turning this into a bookcase? And it came out so beautiful, too. You saved yourself a few hundred bucks here. You’re lucky to have a husband who would have an eye for such things – and the willingness to carry through on the project. I never heard of this Freecycle before, but I’m gonna check it! Probably can find some treasures!
What a cute idea! its such a cool and crafty way to make something so cute! absolutely in love with the idea!
Awesome project! I’ve never used Freecycle. We live in a very rural area and it just doesn’t happen here. We do have family members, though, that do and they’ve found some amazing deals.