Painting in a rented apartment

[vass]

There's a project I want to do, but first I want to know if it's possible at all. I have a medium to large collection of bookcases, most either thrifted, cheap flat-pack, or both. I'd like to paint or stain them all one colour, probably black, so they match. I think it'd be a big step towards a more coordinated look.

I live in a small rented apartment with cats. I don't know where I'd paint the bookcases and let them dry. It's important that I don't stain the apartment, and it's also important the cats don't get in the paint. The bathroom's too small to paint anything, but maybe large enough that I could put a bookcase in there while it dried. The kitchen's too small and also open plan. My bedroom is a possibility, but then I couldn't sleep in it because of paint fumes. The living room is the right size, but there are cats there.

Any ideas? Is it just a bad idea?

Comments

[martyna]

Put the cats in the bedroom for the day? :/
If you have a couch, you could always sleep on it, while your bedroom is occupied with the cases.

[lasergirl]

If you have 'cheap flat-pack' bookshelves then you may find that you need a melamine paint to cover them since they are not real wood. I know from experience that latex paint won't stick to the finish, and if there is no real wood 'grain' then a stain will not give you the look you want. Melamine is REALLY SMELLY and poisonous and you don't want to use it in an enclosed space.

As a non-toxic alternative, you could try using mod-podge or good white glue to 'laminate' your bookshelves with paper in a colour of your choice. You could mix and match solids and colours, or do the whole thing in black. You could also splurge for a cool wallpaper print to make sections 'pop.'

You can check out Design*Sponge for some furniture makeovers, they have some really great before/afters.

[vass]

Thanks, I didn't know that about melamine.

[yvi]

Any people you know that have a garage or basement you could use for a day or two?

[vass]

The problem would be getting them there and back. I only have a little car.

[bewize]

Outside! On a nice day with lots of sun. Then move them into your bathroom or wherever to let them dry. Thta's my suggestion, although I echo the commenter who said that some bookshelves won't accept paint.

[hivesofactivity]

Use water-based paint! I used it for my whole flat, since I am horribly allergic to solvents, and (obviously) coun't afford to move into a hotel for the time it would take for regular paint fumes to disperse. It usually comes up more matt than other paint, but I like that. (The brand I use is Ecos, but I don't know if it's available outside the UK. No smell at all!)