Easily Make Scalloped Furniture with this Hack

Last Updated on January 19, 2022 by lindseymahoney

I absolutely love the simple scalloped furniture detail that is having a moment right now. Last Fall, I gave my daughter’s bedroom a makeover with a Grandmillennial style and DIYed the scalloped furniture detail with this easy IKEA hack. I am breaking down the entire process with this beginner’s level tutorial!

Quick and Easy Scalloped Furniture Tutorial
1 | Build the IKEA Bookshelf
2 | Measure & Cut Scalloped Edge Trim
3 | Prime & Paint Scalloped Trim Board
4 | Attach Scalloped Edge Trim to Bookshelf
5 | Apply the Second Coat of Paint
Scalloped Furniture Detail Source List
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Quick and Easy Scalloped Furniture Tutorial

My original plan was to paint a bookcase that we already owned (image below), but quickly realized it was too bulky and not the right height for this space.

How to DIY a simple scalloped furniture detail with this budget-friendly IKEA Hack | Building Bluebird #grandmillennial #cottagecore

I found the perfect IKEA bookcase that offered closed storage and open shelving to display cute decor. This bookshelf is great because it is deep enough to hold standard book sizes, while still being compact enough to fit perfectly in her bedroom corner. I decided to add a scalloped edge to the bookshelf for a custom and feminine look.

1 | Build the IKEA Bookshelf

This is a super simple furniture piece to put together and took about an hour to assemble. Once the bookcase is built, determine the location in your room and make sure to attach it to the wall. These bookshelves have a good chance of tipping over if they are not bracketed to the wall, especially if it is sitting on carpeting.

2 | Measure & Cut Scalloped Edge Trim

I found this scalloped trim board via Etsy and love that I didn’t have to cut out the scallops manually! My purchase included 4 trim boards, so I attached the remaining scalloped trim to the floating bookshelves on the other side of the room. Adding this scallop furniture detail to both sides of the room gives the bedroom a cohesive look.

Add scallops to existing shelves for a grandmillennial style | Building Bluebird

Measure the top of the bookcase from end to end.

Mark the distance on the trim board and cut it to size.

3 | Prime & Paint Scalloped Trim Board

Once the trim is cut, use your paintbrush to apply one coat of paint primer to the MDF board. When the primer has dried, paint the first coat of paint onto the scalloped trim board. To get an exact color match, take a piece of furniture, for example, a shelf, and ask Sherwin Williams to color match the shelf.

I purchased a pint of this paint and I have used it on multiple IKEA hack projects.

4 | Attach Scalloped Edge Trim to Bookshelf

When the first coat of paint has dried, you can attach the trim to the bookcase. Apply wood glue to each side of the scalloped trim board and place it at the top of the bookshelf. Next, use FrogTape to keep the trim in place while the glue dried. I taped one side first and then taped the other side so it was perfectly even at the top of the bookcase. I added a few pieces of tape to the top for additional support.

5 | Apply the Second Coat of Paint

When the glue has dried, remove the FrogTape holding it in place. Apply the second coat of paint to complete this super simple IKEA hack. This hack isn’t just for IKEA furniture, it can be used on any piece of furniture that needs a little character!

The original knobs were a little more modern than I wanted in Evelyn’s bedroom, so I replaced them with black pull knobs from IKEA. The new knobs align better with the vintage design scheme throughout her bedroom.