DIY Painted Green Furniture

Install the new bookshelves where they will be permanently located, but place them on drop cloths far enough from the walls so you can get behind them to paint. Ensure you have adequate lighting on all sides of the units to see the surface clearly as you paint.

Wipe down the units and the separate adjustable shelves with a damp, clean cloth to remove any residual sawdust or dirt from delivery. Let the pieces dry.

Stuff cotton swabs in the small holes that line the inside of the cases for shelf mounts. This keeps paint from pooling in the holes.

Paint the bookcases and shelves all over with a coat of no-VOC water-based primer. Use the small brush to edge in dentil molding or other small details. Allow primer to dry while you clean your paintbrushes.

Paint the bookcases with the top coat of green no-VOC eggshell or semi-gloss. Once the main coat of paint is on, carefully remove the cotton swabs. Edge in trim and molding with the small brush, and then use it to paint inside the shelf support holes. Do not let any paint pool in the holes. If that happens, remove excess paint with the small brush. Let the units dry while you paint the shelves.

Put clean cotton swabs in the shelf support holes when the paint is dried to a hard finish. Brush on the second coat over each entire unit. Repeat the process of removing the cotton swabs, and touch up any edges around the shelf support holes so the paint is smooth. There should be no need to repaint the inside of the holes. Paint the shelves.

Allow bookcase units and shelves to dry completely before moving units into place against the walls. Insert the pegs which come with the bookcases, and slide the shelves into the bookcase units to hold your library.