This impressive niche-to-bookcase makeover from Mike and McGee proves that paying attention to every corner of your home can add both function and style. Here’s their note about the project:
We recently renovated a space in our Austin, Texas home. We removed an awkward art niche and recessed light fixture and replaced them with a custom built-in bookcase and a new wall sconce. Total cost was about $50. The only downside is that once it was finished we discovered we had more books than shelf space. I had planned to arrange a mix of books and decorative items, but when we started filling the shelves we realized they were needed just for books. Adding some Ikea Expedit bookcases in our breakfast room—now my home office—finally cleared the floor of stacks of books. Yay! – Mike & McGee
What a transformation. The crisp white trim and the minimal wall sconce give the space a clean, finished look while maximizing storage. Best of all, Mike and McGee completed the work themselves on a tight budget, proving that thoughtful planning and a little effort can dramatically improve both form and function.
They documented the process with photos showing the niche before, during demolition, while the bookcase was under construction, and after installation. The finished built-in feels custom and intentional, fitting the wall seamlessly. The new shelving provides ample vertical storage and a tidy focal point in the room, while the sconce adds warm, directed light that highlights the books and creates an inviting nook.
If you’re considering a similar upgrade, a few tips from this project: assess the full width and depth you can reclaim, plan shelf spacing based on the tallest books you own, and factor lighting into the design to make the space usable and welcoming. Even modest materials and basic carpentry skills can yield professional-looking results when you take time to measure carefully and finish trim with attention to detail.
Thanks to Mike and McGee for sharing their renovation—proof that small, well-executed changes can make a big difference. Their project is an encouraging example for anyone looking to convert an underused architectural feature into practical, beautiful storage.