Scalloped Nursery Book Ledges

Add some scalloped trim to your boring book ledges to give them a fresh new upgrade! These scalloped nursery book ledges will give your space a fun and whimsical feeling!

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This post first appeared on The Crazy Craft Lady.

My daughter is seventeen months now, and I still have more decorating to do to complete her nursery! Maybe there are a few of you out there who can relate to this. I’m getting closer with each new project though! I just finished hanging the scalloped wall mirror that I had bought a year ago. It was a bugger to hang because my stud finder was acting all crazy! But it’s up and I’m happy!

You can see more pictures of the mirror and ideas on what to hang above your changing table in my post, “Nursery Wall Decor: 10 Things to Hang Above the Changing Table.”

The most recent DIY project that I completed for my daugther’s room involved some basic white book ledges that I got from Target. I decided to give them a little upgrade by adding some scalloped wooden trim! She has a scalloped mirror and a scalloped trash can, so I thought it would be super cute to make the nursery book ledges scalloped as well!

To make my scallops, I traced a Dixie cup onto some crafting wood. Next, I cut the scallops out with a box cutter, sanded them, and gave the trim a coat of white paint. It was a very easy and inexpensive project with a terrific end result! It definitely made the shelves way more fun and whimsical! If you like this project, check out my “DIY Clay Flower Dishes” for another sweet project from my daughter’s room!

Details to DIY the Scalloped Nursery Book Ledges:

Materials Needed:

Book ledges
Pieces of wood (I used a sheet of Midwest Basswood from Michaels)
Pencil
Sharpie marker
Dixie cup
Box cutter
Fine grit sandpaper
White spray paint (or white paint and a paintbrush)
Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Step 1:

Place the book ledge on top of the wood, and trace it’s outline. This outline will help you place your stencil when tracing your scallops.

Step 2:

Next, trace your scallops. I used a small Dixie cup. Exactly ten half circles (scallops) fit on my wood trim piece. I’m big on “eye-balling” measurements when I can. Anyone else with me there!? I “eye-balled” the diameter on the Dixie cup and marked both sides of the cup using a sharpie marker.

Step 3:

Place the cup on the line that represents the top edge of the book ledge. Match up the diameter marks on the line. Trace the top half of the cup so that it creates a semi-circle above the line.

Repeat this process for each piece of wood you will use.

Step 4:

Using a box cutter, trace the lines for your scalloped trim piece. Stay slightly outside the lines so that you have a little wiggle room. You will be able to sand the edges to match your pencil lines later.Repeat this process to prevent the wood from splitting when you pop out the scalloped trim piece. Remove any excess pieces of wood with your knife.

Step 5:

With fine grit sand paper, gently sand the scallops down to the pencil lines. Depending on how thin the wood is, be extra careful while handling it.

Step 6:

Wipe off any excess sawdust with a cloth. Using the paint color of your choice, paint one side of the wooden trim piece. Let it dry and then turn it over, and paint the other side. Make sure that you get in all of the edges and little nooks and crannies.

Step 7:

Place your book ledge on its side and generously apply hot glue to the front of the book ledge. Firmly, but gently press your scalloped trim piece onto the book ledge.