Today I completed my latest classroom improvement project and I think I fell in love with my classroom all over again. You think I’m kidding, but I’m not. I found the most amazing and adorable teal and white chevron shelf liner at TJ Maxx and instantly knew the perfect project for my latest bargain find.
I have this great little shelf near my teacher table that I use as “Volunteer Central.” The shelf contains a box that I always keep projects and notes for my classroom volunteers to work on, as well as an array of classroom supplies for their use. I love the convenience of the little shelf, but I hated the color of it.
(Brace yourself – I’ve got a dirty mouth and I’m about to use the “P” word).
The color of my shelf was POOP brown and oh-so-ugly. But there wasn’t much I could do about it. It’s not real wood, so my beloved yellow spray paint was not likely to stick, and can’t bring myself to use duct tape as an alternative to paint. The best I could do was use some cute owl fabric as a runner to help soften and disguise the situation.
Here is a before picture of the ugly shelf in my beloved colorful classroom. (Sigh)
Add a little shelf liner and a lot of patience (lining up all those chevrons got a little tedious at times) and my classroom now contains a funky new piece of furniture!
You should seriously RUN out to TJ Maxx and buy this stuff up. They had lot of cute patterns (pink giraffe spots, brown giraffe spots, blue moroccan print, a black and grey cheetah print, and few sophisticated grey designs). You can also buy this liner on Amazon.
One quick note of caution:
I love this liner and it is perfect for my needs, but the quality is not as high as Contact brand adhesive paper. This was lighter weight and probably will not hold up as well over time. I wouldn’t use it on a high traffic shelf that my students move materials on regularly. Since my volunteer shelf doesn’t get much wear and tear, this chevron liner was perfect for me!
I’m linking this project up with Made it Monday (October Edition) over at Fourth Grade Frolics. You should see all the great DIYs!
I’m a former kindergarten teacher turned work-from-home mom. I still love sharing ideas and resources to make teaching easier, so you can focus on what really matters in the classroom. When I’m not working on the blog, you’ll find me chasing kids around the house with a cold cup of coffee in my hand (some things never change even once you’re out of the classroom!)
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27 Responses
This is probably the most adorable bookshelf that I have ever seen! I have to make a trip to TJ Maxx immediately!
Pixy Stix and Teacher Tricks
Thank you Ash! Best of luck as you add some chevrons to your space 🙂
I am running to TJ Maxx right now! I love it!!
Sara 🙂
Smiling In Second Grade
Good luck Sara!
That looks amazing! I love how you have your volunteer materials organized.
Thanks Stephanie – I am ALL about the organization!
This is amazing Maria! I am in love with your blog..! I am your newest follower, and now I will spend the rest of my night as a stalker, ha!
Alexa
http://bilingualscrapbook.blogspot.com/
Thank you – you can stalk my blog anytime you want 🙂
That is so ADORABLE! I’d have never thought of covering a bookshelf with contact paper like that. Hmmmm… now you’ve got me thinking!
Thank you Teish for all of your wonderful comments!
SO cute! You did a great job! 🙂
Thanks Lita Lita!
WOW- that’s seriously the most adorable bookshelf I’ve ever seen. Great job!
Kimberly
The Learning Tree
Thank you! I’m pretty thrilled about how it turned out!
Super cute!
Jennifer
First Grade Blue SKies
Thanks!
I just went to 3 different TJMaxx/Marshalls looking for this. I found the brand everywhere… but only found 1 package at the last Marshalls I went to. This looks great. I can’t wait to try it!
I’m so happy you found some cute liner! I hope you love your completed project as much as I love my shelf!
Holy Cow do I LOVE this!!!!!!! Thanks so much for linking it up! It is awesome!!!!
4th Grade Frolics
Thank you Tara, and thank you for your wonderful link! I LOVE Made it Monday!
Wow!! Your bookshelf is adorable!! And I can’t believe how perfectly you lined up the chevron print!! I want to do this!!! Also, I just cleared off the top of one of my bookshelves today with our pencil sharpener on it and was sad to see that the shelf was all dirty underneath it from all the lead!! What a great idea to put a pad under your pencil sharpener!! I need to get me one of those!
Molly
http://www.lessonswithlaughter.com/2012/10/all-things-halloween.html
Thank you Molly. The pencil sharpener can leave a very gross mess behind. I have been using a card underneath mine for years. This one I made myself – it’s just 2 pieces of brightly colored cardstock glued together and laminated. I like that it adds a little colorful punch to the shelf.
Your chevron bookshelf looks amazing! I am going to my TJ Maxx tom. to look for the shelf paper..Just found your blog and reading through your posts..you have some great hints/tricks and such a cute classroom! Thanks for all your ideas!
I really want to try this, do you have any tips?
Did you make the white striped tin for the glue sticks, crayon, etc.? I’d love to get a hold of those!
Love the bookshelf…I just got a POOP brown bookshelf in my room too that I would love to cover! I’m looking at ordering some paper on Amazon. How many rolls of the contact paper did you have to buy, and how much came in each roll?
Thanks!
Ashley
Tacky the Teacher
Oh goodness, I don’t recall how much vinyl came in each roll, but I do remember that I purchased 2 packs of vinyl (each pack contained 2 rolls, so I had 4 rolls total). Best of luck covering your shelf!