How to Make a Pantry Out of a Bookcase

Use sandpaper to remove the existing finish from the bookcase. Sand it down until the surface is dull and most of the wood finish or paint is gone.

Paint the bookcase to match your kitchen decor. White or cream are classic colors for pantry storage, but other colors may work better with your kitchen decor, such as pale yellow or barn red. Allow the paint to dry completely.

Use a drill and some screws to attach wall mounting brackets to the upper corners on the back of the bookshelf. Attach the brackets to the wall in your kitchen; this is especially important if you use a tall bookcase, to prevent it from falling.

Use a drill and screws to mount curtain rod brackets onto the front of your bookcase. These brackets, which resemble a "U" shape with a straight arm, will hold a cylindrical curtain rod. Mount them to the top right and left corners of your bookshelf in the front.

Hang curtains on a round curtain rod; the curtains should match your kitchen and the dimensions of the bookshelf. Install the rod in the brackets and use the curtains to hide the contents of your pantry shelf.