I have seen in magazines how they line the back of bookshelves with a pretty wall paper. I dont' know if that would work in this case. I don't know much about wall paper, or if it has bad things in the finish. I do know that those pics in the magazines always catch my eye!
Also if you are close to an IKEA, they have some great clear, heavier shelf liner. Once again, though, I don't know how plastic reacts with fabric. Maybe someone else can lend some insight.