Build Your Own Bookshelf the Simple Way

Custom furniture is nice, but it is very expensive. The elegance and beauty of wood has long been sought after, cherished, and handed down in families for generations. Few can afford to furnish their homes in hand-crafted wood pieces – that is unless, you build them yourself. Before you reject this idea as ridiculous and/or preposterous, take a moment to read on. You – yes you – can build your own custom bookcase in minimal time, with great looks and a craftsman feel.

To accomplish this apparently lofty task, you will need a few common materials. These materials can be bought at a local home supply store such as Lowe’s or The Home Depot. First on the list is lumber. You will need finish-quality pine boards. If you are unsure what this is or where to find it in the store, ask an associate and they will quickly point you in the right direction. Two sizes are necessary – two long 2-foot by 4-foot pieces, and two short 2-foot by 2-foot (square) pieces. The long ones are for the sides, and the short ones are for the top and bottom. If you are lucky enough, you can buy four of the same and find someone in the store to cut two in half for you. Buy as many additional 2-foot by 2-foot pieces as you want shelves, so another two are recommended.

Next, you will need to go to the molding and trim isle and pick out two 8-foot sections of a floor style you like, preferably more than two inches in height. Then head over to the tools section and buy a miter saw. You can find inexpensive hand versions which will work just fine for under ten or twenty dollars.

After you have your wood materials and saw, take a run over to the hardware isle and buy two packs of small ‘L’ shaped angle brackets. These should come with screws. In the same isle you will also find small packages of finishing nails. Buy a pack that will go through the thickest part of your floor molding and extend further at least an inch. Now go to the checkout counter and pay for everything.

To assemble your masterpiece, first nail together the large wood pieces to form a rectangular box. Then reinforce this box with the angle brackets. The next part is a little tricky, but worth it. It involves cutting 45-degree angles on the molding pieces to trim the bottom and the top of the bookshelf. Nail these pieces into place with the finishing nails. If you never installed floor molding, call a friend that has and then this task will become clear. Install the top molding upside down, as if it were crown molding.To install the shelves, nail the leftover 2-foot by 2-foot pieces in between the sides, running at least four nails through the sides of the bookshelf into the shelf itself. Install brackets or reinforce with screws if you have particularly heavy books.

That’s it, you are done! You should stain or paint your shelf for a custom and/or more finished look.