From the moment we designed a rainbow nursery for our son, I loved the bold look of the rainbow bookshelves. As he outgrew the nursery and our book collection expanded, those original ledges no longer held enough books. When we transitioned his room to a big kid room, I decided to create a wider, sturdier version by hacking IKEA picture ledges and painting them in rainbow colors. The result gives the same cheerful statement while providing much more storage. Below I share the materials, paint advice, color choices, spacing tips, and step‑by‑step instructions so you can recreate these DIY rainbow bookshelves.
What shelves work best for this project?
I used the IKEA MOSSLANDA picture ledges in white. They come in different lengths; I chose the deeper, longer 45″ size to accommodate multiple layers of books. These ledges are deeper than many pre-made colorful book ledges, so they hold several rows and larger formats comfortably. If your wall is longer or shorter you can combine multiple ledges to create the desired run.
If you prefer a different look, you can use other types of shelves such as a simple floating shelf, a peg shelf, or a shelf with a front bar to help keep books upright. The key is choosing a shelf with sufficient depth if you want to store multiple layers of books.
The best primer for laminate Ikea shelves
Laminate surfaces are slick and challenging for paint to adhere to. A shellac‑based primer provides a reliable, durable base. For IKEA projects I use Zinsser BIN Shellac‑Based Primer; it bonds well to a wide variety of surfaces and ensures paint will stick. Apply it in a well‑ventilated area or outside—the primer has a strong odor during application but that dissipates as it dries.
What kind of paint should I use?
I typically choose a water‑based (latex) paint for indoor projects because it has lower fumes and dries faster than oil‑based paint. While oil paints can be more durable, modern latex paints perform well for painted shelves once the proper primer has been used. For this project I used small sample pots of low‑VOC velvet‑finish latex paint—ample for each shelf and easy to work with.
What colors did I choose?
Any rainbow arrangement works—use as many colors as you have shelves. I had five shelves and selected a blue, green, yellow, orange, and pink sequence. The specific shades I used were:
- Periwinkle (blue)
- Later Gator (green)
- Vibrant Honey (yellow)
- Often Orange (orange)
- Cupid’s Arrow (pink)
These were sample‑sized paints in a velvet finish—just the right amount for individual shelves.
Color planning tip
If you plan to organize books by color, take a quick inventory of your collection to see which colors appear most often. I initially considered a yellow‑green shelf but realized we didn’t have enough books in that hue to make it worthwhile, so I adjusted the palette to better match our library.
Shelf spacing
Shelf spacing depends on wall height and the sizes of books you own. I spaced the shelves 14″ apart from the bottom of one shelf to the bottom of the next. That spacing fits most of our books while keeping the top shelf reachable. Adjust spacing to suit taller picture books or oversized titles.
Do I need to sand the shelves?
I lightly sanded the shelves with 220 grit sandpaper before priming. In this project the primer adhered well with only light sanding, so it’s optional but recommended for best results. Between coats, lightly sand rough spots or drips with 400 grit to keep the finish smooth.
Materials list
Here’s a concise materials list to prepare before you begin:
- IKEA MOSSLANDA picture ledges (or similar deep ledges)
- Zinsser BIN shellac‑based primer
- Paint (small sample pots—one per shelf are usually enough)
- 220 grit sandpaper for initial sanding
- 400 grit sandpaper for smoothing between coats
- Paintbrush and optional mini roller for smooth coverage
- Hardware to mount shelves (follow the IKEA instructions for your wall type)
Step-by-step tutorial
1. Lightly sand each shelf with 220 grit sandpaper, then wipe clean with a damp cloth and let dry.
2. Prime the visible surfaces (bottom and sides) with shellac‑based primer using a brush or mini roller. You can skip priming the back that sits against the wall. Allow the primer to dry thoroughly.
3. If needed, sand any primer drips or rough spots with 400 grit sandpaper.
4. Apply the first coat of color paint with a brush or mini roller. Let it dry completely.
5. Lightly sand any imperfections between coats with 400 grit sandpaper.
6. Apply additional coats until the finish is even and opaque. I applied two to three coats depending on the color.
7. Paint the small screw covers that come with the ledges so they match the shelf color. Two coats are usually sufficient. Alternatively you can leave the covers unpainted or discard them if you prefer the exposed screw look.
Hang the shelves following the included mounting instructions for your wall type, press the painted screw covers into place, and arrange your books.
Project cost
Approximate cost breakdown for five shelves:
- IKEA MOSSLANDA Shelves (x5): $74.95
- Zinsser BIN Shellac‑Based Primer (1 quart): $16.98
- Paint sample pots (x5): $24.95
- Sandpaper, brushes, and supplies: $15
Estimated total: $131.88 for five painted shelves.
Prefer not to DIY?
If you don’t want to paint, there are pre‑made rainbow ledges available for purchase. Keep in mind many ready‑made versions are narrower than the MOSSLANDA ledges, so consider your storage needs before buying.
Photos by Jeff Mindell
IKEA ledges are straightforward to hang, so while painting requires patience, installation is quick and satisfying. This DIY rainbow bookshelves project delivers a big visual impact and greater book storage at a fraction of the cost of many pre‑made options.