PIP quick need help: How would you paint this built-in?

[lolc]

My son's bedroom has a built-in bookshelf. We just painted the room blue. It used to be a neutral color but he wanted this stand-out blue so he got it. He wants the bookshelf to be red but I'm not sure how to go about doing it. Do I paint just the back wall red? Or do I paint the back, sides and bottom red? Or do I paint the back red and the sides and bottoms a glossy white?

WWYD? I want to finish his room and this is the last step so any advice appreciated. Here is a PIP (excuse the mess, the room is still topsy-turvy!).

[magdala]

I would paint the bookcase stand out red and paint the back wall white.

[lolc]

So after putting up a poll and the picture, my son insisted I only do the back so I'm starting out with just the back red. I need to give it at least another 2 coats before the color is correct, then decide from there if we should do the rest of the box. So far he insists he just wants the back. We'll see. I'll take pictures when I'm done.

[TBM]

May 28, 2013 22:39:14 GMT -5 lolc said:

So after putting up a poll and the picture, my son insisted I only do the back so I'm starting out with just the back red. I need to give it at least another 2 coats before the color is correct, then decide from there if we should do the rest of the box. So far he insists he just wants the back. We'll see. I'll take pictures when I'm done.

I like that he knows what he wants.

Red is such a tough color to paint, because the tint is translucent not opaque and it always requires so many coats to get enough coverage.   The finished result really makes it worth the effort of painting all of those coats.

[emjacobs]

Can I make another suggestion? What about framing out the bookcase like a doorway? It looks like the shelves aren't perfectly flush with the wall and I think it will help with the transition.

I might also be completely wrong.

[lavender444]

I think framing it out would help, too. How old is your son? I would probably stick to painting it how he wants it. You can always change it up later.