Stand-Alone Bookshelves

You can customize a room by building your own bookshelves. Custom bookshelves look better and last longer than cheap store-bought shelves.

A do-it-yourself custom bookshelf will look better and cost less.

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Problem: You've got too many books. You'd like to store them in a bookshelf, but the cheaper bookshelves don't look as good, and the better bookshelves are too expensive.

Solution: You can customize a room by building your own bookshelves. You'll get the look you want without having to pay as much.

Materials and Tools:
hammer
nail set
measuring tape
drill, with drill bits and driver bits
straightedge
level
framing square
circular saw
power miter saw
work gloves
1"x10" poplar boards (vertical pieces and shelves)
1"x12" poplar boards (top and bottom pieces)
1"x2" poplar trim
1"x3" poplar trim
crown molding
1" molding
1/4" cabinet grade plywood
wood stain
lint-free rag
safety glasses

Steps:

Start by measuring the area where you plan to install the bookshelves. Then draw up a plan for the bookshelves. You may want to use existing doorways and windows as reference points to determine how high you should make the bookshelves.

* A bookshelf is really nothing more than a wooden box with backing to hold it square. If you can make a small wooden box, you should be able to make a bookshelf.

Measure and cut the sides and top of your bookshelf. Use 1"x10" poplar boards for the sides and shelves, and use 1"x12" boards for the top and bottom. If your bookshelf will be more than three feet wide, cut three 1"X10" boards, two for the sides and one to support the center (figure A ).

Figure A

Sandwich the vertical pieces between the top and bottom pieces, and secure them through the top and bottom of the frame with screws or nails to create the cabinet frame. All the boards should be flush on the back of the frame, and the edges of the top and bottom should extend past the front edge and on either side of the frame. Pre-drill the screw holes to prevent the wood from splitting.

Measure the dimensions of the frame. Transfer the measurements to a sheet of 1/4" plywood, and cut the plywood to size with a circular saw. Make sure the frame is square, and attach the plywood to the back of the frame with finish nails. Again, be sure to drill pilot holes to prevent the wood from splitting.

* When driving finish nails, leave the heads approximately 1/4" above the surface. Then use a nail set to finish driving them below the surface.

Measure and cut sections of 1"x2" lumber for the face frame of the bookshelf. Drill pilot holes, and nail the top and bottom pieces in place. The bottom piece of face frame should be flush with the bottom shelf of the frame.

Create shelf cleats by cutting pieces of one-inch quarter round molding into 9-inch lengths. Set the cleats at the desired height for your shelves, and secure them to the frame with finish nails and wood glue.

Figure B

Measure and cut shelves to fit in the cabinet. Be sure to measure each location individually as there may be slight variations in the widths needed. When all the shelves have been cut, set them in place on the cleats.

Measure and cut 1"x2" boards for the vertical pieces of face frame, and secure them to the cabinet with finish nails.

Measure and cut crown molding to fit the top of the bookshelf. Use a compound power miter saw to cut the molding for the best corners (figure B). Secure the molding to the cabinet with finish nails.

Figure C

Cut 1"x3" boards to size, and attach them flat against the upper rear corner (figure C) to use as nailing strips for holding the shelf to the wall.

Create a base for the bookshelf by attaching four boards together to form a box. The base should be slightly higher than the base molding so that the bookshelf will be able to fit snugly against the wall. The base should also be no more than eight inches deep to provide clearance for the lower face frame on the bookshelf.

Stain the bookshelf and base as desired. You may want to add a clear sealer for added protection.

Secure the base to the wall or floor using long screws. Set the bookshelf on the base, center it, and check it for level. Then drill pilot holes through the nailing strip directly over wall studs, and secure the cabinet to the wall with screws.