How to Build a Bookshelf
When my brother was in high school, he built me a bookshelf in woodshop class. I was newly married and needed the space to store our books, and was pleased and grateful for the gift! It was solid oak...and heavy. Unfortunately, each shelf was too high...they were at least 18” apart from each other. This created too much wasted space above my books. They were normal sizes and I was sad to see this lovely bookshelf not be used to its full capacity!
So a few months ago, I came across some photos of other shelves and settled on one that I liked and thought that I could recreate with the tools and ability I had. So here’s how I built a bookshelf for about $50.
I drew up my plans one morning, and on the other side of my scribbles, I drew up another plan for a simple “blockade” to put under my bed to prevent the cats from going under there. I went to the store to pick up the materials for that project as it was more pressing than a bookshelf, but since I was already out, I decided to pick up the wood for the shelf as well. Then, two weeks later, I set about to finally build the shelf. I must have studied this plan for five minutes, wondering what in the heck I was talking about here...where were my measurements? But Past-Danielle was smart and drew a little cutting diagram and cut list in the bottom part, so here’s my sizes and cuts for you:
Materials:
(5) 1x8x8 pine boards (straight as possible)
Wood glue
Nails/Screws
Sanding paper
Stain or paint
Cuts:
Shelves (3): 32.5”
Top/Bottom (2): 40”
Sides (2): 47”
Back (3): 49”*
*I ended up trimming about ½ inch off of these backs once the frame was built
Finished bookshelf: 40” long, 48 ¾” tall, 8” deep (if you include the back piece)
Once I figured out my chicken scratch, I got to work cutting all of the boards. On each of the three 8’ long boards I was able to get 1 shelf and 1 back piece, and on the other two boards I got a top/bottom piece and side piece out of each of them. After practicing with a similar bookshelf a month or so ago, I decided to go ahead and assemble the whole thing first before sanding it smooth, so I started with the frame. I put wood glue on each end and used my nail gun to drive nails into the wood - with it only being a 1-inch deep piece of wood, I didn’t want to splinter the wood with screws (but perhaps if you drilled pilot holes first, that would solve that problem. I didn’t want to do that!)
Once the frame was in place I laid it on the ground and then laid out my shelves. I wanted the outside “back” pieces to end right where the shelves were going to end and figured I’d just use the actual shelves instead of trusting my measurements. Again using wood glue on the back, I nailed in the boards and then centered in the middle back piece between the two before securing that one in as well.
Next came putting in the shelves. I put the frame with the back pieces on its side and then measured where I wanted the shelves. I knew I wanted 12” space for the bottom shelf, another 12” for the second gap, the third would be around 10.5”, and the last would be 10”. I balanced the first shelf in place and nailed it in from the back, then measured the third shelf, which would actually be the top shelf once it was upright. I rotated the unit 180* and did the same for the middle shelf, making sure it was the desired distance away between the two shelves. Also, I took the opportunity when the first two shelves were now “hanging” (still secured by the nails in the back), to nail those in on the sides. I did the same for the middle shelf once it was in place. Those shelves weren’t going anywhere! (Although, I wouldn’t climb on it…)
Once the unit was assembled, it was time to sand. I smoothed everything out and even spent a little extra time on the top where there was an imperfection in the wood. I decided I loved that little dip - it gives the bookshelf it’s own unique look. Let’s embrace our imperfections, shall we?
Now that the shelves were all smooth, it was time to stain. I almost went with a paint, but then decided to keep it neutral and just stain it in my favorite stain, “cinder”. I knew the pine boards don’t absorb this stain as deeply as I like (as it looks on my cedar deck), so I left the stain on a little longer before rubbing it in and wiping the excess away.
After 3-4 hours of work and staining, my little bookcase was done! Now to swap out my oak shelf and put in this one...with no more wasted space!
PS The oak bookshelf didn’t go away - my sister took it, so it’s still in the family!
