All Gardening Plans on Sale! Click To Shop

Remodelaholic

DIY tutorials, Woodworking plans and more.

FREE BONUS: Kitchen Organization Boot Camp
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About US
    • Contributors
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • Disclosure and Advertising
    • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Project Ideas
    • Our Houses
      • Birch House (current projects)
      • Canyon House
      • Park House
      • Downing House
      • Logan House
    • DIY Project Plans
    • All projects
    • Barn Door Baby Gate
    • Dutch Door
    • Framing A Wall Mounted TV
    • Indoor Playhouse
    • Beach Themed Living Room Design
    • Chicken Coop Building!
    • Computer Desk
    • Computer Desk Plans
    • Custom Newel Posts and Stair Remodel
    • Family Room Sneak Peek
    • Headboard Tutorial
    • Living Room Progress
    • Mood Boards
    • Scrabbled Family Names
    • Pets
  • Design By Room
    • Bathrooms
    • Landscape
    • Kids Bedrooms
    • Kitchen
    • Living Rooms
    • Laundry Rooms
    • Master Bedrooms
    • Mood Boards
    • Office
  • Holiday
    • Christmas
    • Halloween
    • Patriotic
    • Easter
    • Fall
    • Saint Patrick’s Day
    • Thanksgiving
    • Spring
    • Valentines Day
    • Winter
  • Crafts
    • Printable
    • Art
    • Paper Crafts
    • Kids
    • Fabric Crafts
    • Decorate
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beef
    • Beverages
    • Breakfast
    • Chicken
    • Desserts
    • Dinner
    • Fruit
    • Healthy
    • Holiday
    • Lunch
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches
    • Sauces
    • Seafood
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup
    • Vegetables
  • Videos

Built-in Bookshelves For Your Home

Written by Justin

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

These are the built-in bookshelves that we designed and installed in our park house living room. It was a pretty simple construction that most any DIY’er can take on.   So, we wanted to share the plans of our built-in bookshelves since we’ve had a few people ask.pin button built-in bookshelves

The plan that you will see in this post, was made for the bookshelf on the right of the window.  The one on the left is slightly custom because there were a few problems with that corner.  A design dilemma if you will!  You can see our dilemma in more detail here with this post.  Anyway, we had to design that corner a little bit different than the other side, since there was a plumbing chase there.  By designing the build-in bookshelves, we figured out a way to hide the whole corner entirely, but still keep a uniform look around the window and door.  Sound good?  Good!

Now here are the plans for you to check out, so you can build your own.

Here are the overall dimensions of our built-in bookshelves.

 

 

dimensions of bult-in bookshelves

 

 Notes

  • You can take this tutorial and modify it to the size that you want. Just make all the adjustments according to your spaces needs.  But, I recommend not having a bookshelf that is more than 3 and a half feet wide without a center support of some type.
  • This bookcase goes floor to ceiling.  The space from the top to the bookshelf opening, was reserved for crown molding.  The space from the floor to the bottom shelf was reserved for the base molding.  We personally like tall base moldings and crown.  If you plan on using base moldings or crown, add up the height of the molding installed, plus the face frame width, for your final face frame height.

Materials Used

  • (1) MDF Sheet – 4’x8’x5/8”
  • (Approximate 100+) Brad Nails 1”

Tools Used

  • Table Saw (optional)
  • Miter Saw
  • Nail Gun
  • Sanding Block
  • Tape Measure
  • Framing Square
  • Pencil
  • Sander Block
  • Level

Cut Sheet (length x width x thickness)

  • (5) Wall Brackets – 22 3/4″ x 1″ x 5/8″
  • (2) Sides – 96” x 11 3/8” x 5/8’”
  • (10) Shelf Brackets – 10 3/4” x 1” x 5/8”
  • (1) Top Shelf Support – 22 3/4″ x 11 3/8” x 5/8”
  • (1) Bottom Shelf – 22 3/4″ x 11 3/8” x 5/8”
  • (3) Middle Shelves – 22 3/4″ x 11 3/8”x 5/8”
  • (2) Top & Bottom Face Frames – 24” x 9” x 5/8”
  • (2) Side Face Frames – 78” x 2 1/2” x 5/8”
  • (3) Shelf Face Frames – 19″ x 2 1/2″ x 5/8″

Construction Steps For The Built-in Bookshelves

 

step 1 bult-in bookshelves

Note To calculate the dimension of “A”

Add the height of the base molding + the width of the face frame. For our bookshelf we needed to add 6 1/2” (base molding) + 2 1/2” (face frame) = 9”.

 

step 2 bult-in bookshelves

 

step 3 bult-in bookshelves

step 4 bult-in bookshelves

 

step 5 bult-in bookshelves

Note To calculate the dimension of “B”

Measure the opening height from the top of bottom shelf to top of the shelf support (78” see first diagram with dimensions).  Add up the total face frame widths of the number of shelves within the main opening (3 x 2 1/2”= 7 1/2”.  Subtract that number from the total opening of 78”.  78” – 7 1/2” = 70 1/2” Divide that number by the number of shelf openings (4). 70 1/2” / 4 = 17 5/8”.  Take 17 5/8” and subtract out the thickness of the one of the shelves of 5/8”.   17 5/8” – 5/8” = 17”.  The dimension of B is 17”

step 6 bult-in bookshelves

step 7 bult-in bookshelves

step 8 bult-in bookshelves

step 9 bult-in bookshelves

step 10 bult-in bookshelves

Your now done with the construction.  Nice job!  Now you can sand and paint it.

2011-04-01 (16) 2011-04-07 Etta's room, family room stencil tutorial (11)

We decided after we build it, to add doors to the bottom two shelves that are flush with the face frame.  This was to help keep out little people and create a more finished look.  All I did was cut out a door from a sheet of mdf, that was an 1/8” less wide on all sides than the opening.  I added two little hinges and walla!

Now it’s your turn to build your built-in bookshelves.  You can also check out our free project plans, to see other cool things to build.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Remodelaholic is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Please see our full disclosure here.

Published: May 7, 2013Filed Under: *Our Projects, DIY Project Plans, How To Tagged: Bookcases, Built-ins, How To, Park House Living Room, Project Plans

About Justin


free email bonus

Kitchen Organization Boot Camp

Is your kitchen a zen paradise? It can be. I'll show you how.

Previous Post
Home Sweet Home on a Budget: Organizing Kids’ Closets
Next Post
Built-in Corner Bookshelves

Comments

  1. [email protected] says

    May 7, 2013 at 7:55 am

    Love the look of these! You did a great job.

    Reply
    • Cassity says

      May 7, 2013 at 8:39 am

      Thanks Korrie! (p.s. Now that we are in Utah, we need to get together and do some furniture project….)

      Reply
      • [email protected] says

        May 7, 2013 at 8:54 am

        I wish we could! But we moved to Washington just before Christmas!

        Reply
  2. Mel says

    May 7, 2013 at 10:41 am

    I had no idea that bookcases could be made that way! FAB!

    Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    May 7, 2013 at 2:44 pm

    Thanks for sharing, being a builder its always cool to see good clean step by step directions to building things. Nicely done

    Reply
  4. Tanya B says

    May 7, 2013 at 4:52 pm

    What a wonderful post!! I have been wanting book cases in my sewing room for years — the way you laid it out looks so easy. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Justin says

      May 8, 2013 at 7:55 am

      Tanya, thanks for the nice comment. I hope that you can soon get book cases for your sewing room.

      Reply
  5. Chris Long 4 The Home Depot says

    May 10, 2013 at 2:19 pm

    I really like the simple but strong, stable construction. The bottom doors make this much more versatile as well. This is a really good DIY project I will pin to our site. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Cassity says

      May 11, 2013 at 8:58 am

      Chris, Thanks for the compliment. Just to clarify, you are just pinning the project to Home Depot’s Pinterest boards, but it will still like to my post? If that is the case great! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Chris Long 4 The Home Depot says

        May 17, 2013 at 6:43 am

        Yes. The pin link comes right back here. https://pinterest.com/pin/230668812136984127/

        Reply
        • Cassity says

          May 17, 2013 at 9:53 am

          THANKS Chris!

          Reply
  6. Jason says

    July 7, 2013 at 11:50 pm

    This is a great design! I am a big fan of the flush doors on the bottom – but I didn’t see what hinges you used. Do you have any pictures and specs for where I can get some? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Justin says

      July 9, 2013 at 10:26 pm

      Jason, they are just simple hinges that I got at the Home Depot here. Thanks for the comment.

      Reply
  7. Valynn says

    July 21, 2013 at 7:27 am

    Are the dimensions for the middle shelves correct? It says you need three 11 3/8″x 10 3/4″, but those aren’t wide enough for the 24″ wide plans. My husband and I are building these, but were slightly confused by the measurements on that.

    Reply
    • Justin says

      July 30, 2013 at 2:11 pm

      Valynn, sorry about the measurements. Those shelves should be the same as the top and bottom shelves. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

      Reply
  8. Dave says

    August 13, 2013 at 3:26 pm

    What wall brackets were used in the first step?

    Reply
    • Justin says

      August 14, 2013 at 10:24 pm

      Dave, that is a homemade piece that I used, so I could nail it onto the wall, then nail the sides to it. Let me know if that helps. Sorry if that was confusing.

      Reply
      • Jason says

        December 30, 2013 at 8:50 pm

        I am understanding that the “wall brackets” are just 1″ wide strips from the MDF, correct? And those are nailed into studs? Thanks.

        Reply
        • Justin says

          January 6, 2014 at 9:43 am

          Jason that is correct!

          Reply
  9. Monika says

    August 26, 2013 at 9:03 pm

    I find that mdf chips easily (vaccum, toys etc) how is yours holdig up?

    Reply
    • Justin says

      August 27, 2013 at 12:42 pm

      Ours it holding up well. It is true that it does chip easy. You just have to be extra careful. The alternative is going for more expensive wood, though. It’s all about what you can afford and are willing to live with. Thanks for the comment!

      Reply
  10. Trev says

    December 23, 2013 at 8:02 am

    Its “Voila” not “Walla”. Voila is a French word meaning “Look there!”

    Reply
    • Justin says

      December 23, 2013 at 8:15 am

      Thanks for the correction Trev. That is good to know.

      Reply
  11. Shana says

    January 20, 2014 at 7:44 pm

    Thank you for sharing the plans. I appreciate how detailed and clear your instructions are. Makes an intimidating project seem doable. I am going to try it. Love your blog- you’ve been a great resource. Very inspiring. 🙂

    Reply
    • Justin says

      January 28, 2014 at 10:58 am

      That is awesome that you are going to try this. You can do it! Thanks for being a reader of our blog.

      Reply
  12. Shana says

    January 20, 2014 at 7:55 pm

    Are the sides of the bookshelves only attached to the wall brackets (step 2)? Are they then reinforced by the shelf supports? Because the back shelf supports are nailed into the wall (but do you also nail through the sides into each shelf support?) I’m just wondering of that is enough to keep the sides sturdy. Does that make sense?

    Reply
    • Justin says

      January 28, 2014 at 10:59 am

      Yes they are nailed to the back supports and to the shelves once they are in place.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

We love hearing from fellow Remodelaholics, so let us know what you like about this and leave any questions below in the comments. If you have followed a tutorial or been inspired by something you have seen here, we would love to see pictures! Submit pictures here or by messaging us over on Facebook.
Recipe Rating




Hey there, I am Cassity! Nice to virtually meet you!

This blog is about DIY at its finest. We are obsessed with it and so are you, so while we're working and have nothing to show you of our own projects we show off yours. So submit your projects! More About Us…

Categories

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Meet The Team

Privacy Policy

Remodelaholic is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Please see our full disclosure here.

© 2005-2016 Remodelaholic LLC, All Rights Reserved

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2021 · Remodelaholic

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter