Help me figure out this painting project, please!

[teachermom2834]

I have a large built in bookcase I want/need to paint. It’s an entire wall of my basement family room. Maybe 11 ft wide by 8 feet tall. Lots of shelves. We are redoing the room (which while technically a basement is one of those that is just set down half a story and you can see from the main area of my house. So, it is a casual family room space but I would still like it to look nice. The walls and floor will be neutral (boring!) tan or greige. I would like to do something more interesting with the bookcase. 
 

The first idea I am drawn to is to paint the back wall of the shelves in a dark/bolder color and keep the rest of the shelves the same color as the walls. I think this would look good but such a big project. How do I go about this? Which part do I paint first? I know I wouldn’t be able to do it neatly enough without taping off. That’s a lot of taping. Ugh. Anyone have any tips for the best way to go about this project? I like the pictures I see of this but is the effect worth the work?

While I’m drawn to the idea, it really does sound so labor intensive. Maybe not worth it. So then do I paint the built ins the exact same color as the walls? Easier but boring. Seems the safe choice.

Or, I could paint the entire wall of shelves a different color than the walls of the room. Would be easier than a two color project and more forgiving to messy painting. How do I choose a color? Should it be lighter or darker than the walls? It really is the focal point of the room when looking from the main area of the house. A different color would be pretty- if I chose well which is a big if. And if I don’t like it, it would be a big chore to repaint. Which takes me back to the safe choice of just doing the same neutral as the rest of the room (boring!)
 

So, what did you (or would you do) with a wall of built in shelves? Are you happy with the result? Any tips to make the job easier or more successful?

[Sherry in OH]

What color will the trim be?  I would be inclined to paint the bookcases in that color.   I would use the same color as the walls only if I wanted to make the bookcases less of a focal point.

If you want the back wall a different color than the shelves - paint the back wall first.  While you still have to be careful with edging, you will not have to worry about dripping paint onto the freshly painted body of the case.  Instead of painting the back wall, you could install wallpaper.  If you like the idea of wall paper but want to be able to change out the backs more easily, cut foam core to fit,  cover the foam core with wallpaper or sturdy wrapping paper, then push into place.   

For me, painting the backs of the shelves differently would not be worth the effort.  Once books are on the shelves, little of the back of the bookcase can been seen.  If many of the shelves were empty or used to display decorative items, I might feel differently.  

[Annie G]

I agree w Sherry’s advice except I do think painting the back is worth it. The contrast gives it some depth and a pop of color. Love the idea of wallpaper- you might find something you really love that will jazz up the room.

[Junie]

I like some of the ideas on this website.  

I think that a light neutral and a dark neutral might look really stunning.  (Black for the back of the shelves and whatever neutral you pick for the walls, maybe.)  Or a pop of color.  Or if it's set up like cubes several pops of color.  I don't know that I would be that brave, though.

[Katy]

If you’re in your forever home I think you should do whatever you want. 
 

If you’re likely to ever sell, I’d paint the shelves the same color as the trim and bring the pop of color in with books, art, and objects.  If you have the shelves filled with books with no space for display,  have you tried arranging the books in rainbow order rather than something more practical? I’ve been doing that for a few years now and I really like it. I know the colors of the books we love and use often, and I find we are more likely to browse and pull out something new if the books are in an unexpected order. 

If I was buying a dark background wouldn’t look attractive to me. It would look like unnecessary visual clutter that would drive me crazy until I painted, and it would probably take 6+ coats to cover a dark color.  If it was between buying your house and one with boring neutrals, I’d choose the boring that didn’t require a week long painting project. 

[BusyMom5]

I think its important to know what goes on the shelves and how full they are.   If they are pretty full, I would paint it all the color of the trim.  If its just a few decorative items,  pictures, ect. Then I'd go with a brighter color that coordinates in your room- medium blue, green, red (assuming your main room color is neutral).

[KungFuPanda]

You could paint most of it to match the walls then just do a few eye-level rows in the bold color. This way you get the effect with less work. How well can you see every level from another room when it’s loaded with stuff anyway?