Home Project Guide: Time To Build A Beautiful DIY Bookcase

Home decoration is not new to decor lovers. If you love to read and collect books then displaying them on the bookshelf is the best shot you have for aesthetic representation. The good news is you do not need to buy expensive bookshelves because you can build one yourself. You do not need to be a master carpenter, you just need a handful of tools and the right tutorial guideline.

Materials You Will Need To Build Bookshelf

The materials are easy to find and most might be available in your home garage too.

• Plywood

• Wood glue

• Specialty hardware

• Woodscrews

• Self-tapping screws

• Paint colors

• Sandpaper

• Tape measures

• Writing utensils

• Power drills

• Table saw

• Jigs

Wood - Which Type To Use?

Traditionally, solid wood boards are used for built-in bookcases. Since sawn lumber is an expensive choice it’s better to lean on Plywood. Choose the one that has a hardwood veneer. It’s less expensive and also stronger than other solid softwoods too.

You can also keep birch, maple, or oak veneer plywoods in mind when planning to buy a lumberyard. Birch lumberyard is highly recommended especially if you want to paint your bookshelf in the future.

Those who want a clear finishing look can opt for mahogany, teak, cherry, or walnut.

Start Building The Bookshelf

1. Cut The Legs, Shelves, And Support

Begin with the plywoods. Stain/prime it. Allow it to dry. Then measure the height and available space you want the bookcase to adjust. Measure the width of your space according to the three places.

Remember to subtract the 1 ½ inches from the measurements. Then cut the shelves to the desired length.

To cut the legs, lay it on the table, both ends evenly next to each other. Framing squares will help you to transfer the shelfmarks from one board to the other. Once you place the plywood scrap on edge of each line, mark it with each shelf.

2. Adjoin The Support To Legs

Now you will need glue and nails to support the legs. But before this use, the table saw (circular saw) cut them in the depth by ¾ inch. Once the pieces are cut, use the glue in an S-shape line. Align the lowest support piece with the board’s bottom and back edge. Use the nails in all corners (after the glue dries).

Continue attaching the supports. Use a scrap piece of plywood as a shelf-size spacer, then position the next support.

3. Assembling

Using the 2 ½ inch-wide piece of plywood to make the hanging strip. Also, use the 1 ½ shorter for the shelves. Place the strips between the top supports. Drill the pilot holes. Add the wood screws. Then slide the bottom shelf into place.

Drill the countersink pilot holes along the edges too. Glue it. Also, use the lad screws on the top to place it properly.

4. Level The Bookcase

Once all parts are assembled, slide the shelves into the frame. If need be, use the rubber mallet for gentle coaxing.

Once the bookcase is in place make sure that everything is in place. Place the shelves on each level of the bookshelf.

5. Plumb Into The Bookshelf

To install the needed shims, you need to hold a level vertically for the plumb. Tap shims around the bookcase once the whole piece is plumb and levelled. This ensures to remove any gap in the frame against the wall and the frame remains tight.

You can securely fasten the bookcase to the wall with 2 ½ inch self-tapping screws.

See? It may be a time taking process but the end is as beautiful as you imagine it would be.