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Built-in Corner Bookshelves

Written by Justin

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Built In Corner Bookshelf Pin 418x800

Use this detailed tutorial to make a built-in corner bookshelf for your home.

And don’t miss the built-in bookshelves around our window and the rest of the living room, including how to build beautiful interior columns.

Come see how to build built-in corner bookshelves. Use our building plans to make your own!

Built In Corner Bookshelf Tutorial And Building Plans From Remodelaholic

Here is a sketch of the initial thought Cassity had for the built-in corner bookshelves.  I love how she draws on top of a photo for a quick idea of how it could look in the space. Genius!

how to plan for a built-in bookcase from Remodelaholic

 And here is the plan with all the dimensions for our corner bookshelves.

built-in corner bookshelf plans

Notes

  • Take this tutorial and modify it to the size that you want. Just make all the adjustments according to your space’s needs.  I would limit the width to 3′ on either side of the “L”.
  • This bookshelf 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, plus the face frame width, for your final face frame height.

 

Materials Used

  • (3) MDF Sheets – 4’ x 8’ x 5/8”
  • (Approximate 200+) Brad Nails 1”

Tools Used

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

Cut Sheet (length x width x thickness)

  • (2) Sides – 96” x 11 3/8” x 5/8′”
  • (10) Side Shelf Brackets – 10 3/4” x 1” x 5/8”
  • (5) Back Shelf Brackets (short side) – 35 3/8” x 1” x 5/8”
  • (5) Back Shelf Brackets (long side) – 45 3/4” x 1” x 5/8”
  • (1) Top Shelf Support – see diagram below

How to build a corner bookshelf

  • (1) Bottom Shelf – see diagram above
  • (3) Middle Shelves – see diagram above
  • (2) Top & Bottom Face Frames (short side)– 24 5/8” x 9” x 5/8”
  • (2) Top & Bottom Face Frames (long side) – 36” x 9” x 5/8”
  • (2) Side Face Frames – 78” x 2 1/2” x 5/8”
  • (3) Shelf Face frames (short side) – 22 1/8” x 2 1/2” x 5/8”
  • (3) Shelf Face frames (long side) – 33 1/2” x 2 1/2” x 5/8”

Construction Steps

 

Plans for built-in corner bookshelf Step 1

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”.

Plans for built-in corner bookshelf Step 2

 

Plans for built-in corner bookshelf Step 3

step 4 - corner built-in bookshelves

Plans for built-in corner bookshelf Step 5

Note To calculate the dimension of “B”

Measure the opening height from the top of bottom shelf to top of the shelf support (78”). 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”

Plans for built-in corner bookshelf Step 6

Plans for built-in corner bookshelf Step 7

Plans for built-in corner bookshelf Step 8

step 9 - corner bult-in bookshelves

Plans for built-in corner bookshelf Step 10This image shows how I butt up all the face frame corners.  This way you don’t have to miter any corners.  Because we painted it I wasn’t really concerned.  If you want,  you can miter them, just adjust the dimensions accordingly.

Plans for built-in corner bookshelf Step 10 close-up

There you have it, built-in corner bookshelf plans just for you.  Now it’s your turn to build.  Let us know how it turns out!

[pinit align=”center” url=”https://www.remodelaholic.com/builtin-corner-bookshelves/” image_url=”https://www.remodelaholic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/built-in-corner-bookshelf-pin-418×800.jpg” description=”DIY your own built-in corner bookshelf with this detailed tutorial. It’s perfect for small spaces! #Remodelaholic #diycornerbookshelf #builtinshelving #tutorial”]

built-in corner bookshelf diy

Built In Corner Bookshelves Building Plans And Tutorial By Remodelaholic.com


Check out all our project plans, including:

built-in bookshelves

diy corner shelf (with storage and matching bench!)

easy and simple wall shelf with pegs

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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.
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've followed a tutorial or been inspired by something you've seen here, we'd love to see pictures! Submit pictures here or by messaging us over on Facebook.

Published: May 8, 2013Filed Under: *Our Projects, Build, By Location, By Material, By Tool, Circular Saw, DIY, DIY Project Plans, Furniture Building Projects and Plans, How To, Living Rooms, Miter Saw, Nailer, Park House, Remodel Inspiration By Room, Shelves, Tutorials, Walls, Wood and Plywoods Etc. Tagged: Bookcases, Built-ins, Free, Our Projects, Park House, Park House Living Room, Project Plans, Shelves

About Justin


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Comments

  1. [email protected] Stroll Thru Life says

    May 8, 2013 at 9:04 am

    Love your plans, it will look amazing. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
    • Cassity says

      May 8, 2013 at 9:52 am

      Thanks Marty!!

      Reply
  2. Amanda says

    May 8, 2013 at 11:29 am

    Love your plans! What program/website do you use to create the technical drawings? I volunteer for my HOA and we’re trying to get a website off the ground, and adding visuals to our architectural guidelines would be huge! Thanks!!

    Reply
    • Cassity says

      May 8, 2013 at 9:20 pm

      Amanda it is Trimble SketchUp, it is a free program my husband LOVES it!

      Reply
  3. Arista says

    May 8, 2013 at 12:53 pm

    Thank you for the detailed directions and the idea. think this would be great for the office

    Reply
  4. cathrynj says

    May 8, 2013 at 1:44 pm

    Great tutorial on how you built your shelves. It really helps to see how you determined the dimensions and how they tie into crown and baseboards.
    My question: did you build over existing drywall? And if you did, how did you handle painting the inside of you shelves? The outside would match the trim, right? Then what about the drywall?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Cassity says

      May 8, 2013 at 9:18 pm

      The whole interior drywall included was all just painted the same color that we painted the trim (which was a plain white in Martha Stewart paint which doesn’t exist anymore!!). Then later on I decided to paint the interiors black… but that was just cuz i wanted to.

      Reply
  5. cs white says

    May 9, 2013 at 9:15 am

    These look awesome and we have two spots where we could use something like this. Thanks!

    Reply
  6. Ryan says

    May 26, 2013 at 3:48 pm

    Great plans! My wife and I are moving into our new 100 year-old house and this will look great in our living room!

    My one question is — we have taller (~6″) baseboards. Would you recommend that I essentially cut out and pull out a section of baseboard to make room for the shelves or is it possible to build around them?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Justin says

      May 30, 2013 at 11:22 pm

      Ryan, I think that because it’s a 100 year-old house that it would be best to leave the base boards and build around them. It is possible to build it and leave the baseboard. You would need to cut out the base board profile at the back of the build-in so it would still sit flush against the wall. Just scribe an exact profile of it to the back of the built-in and cut it out with a jig saw. We had a 100 year-old house years ago, so we know what you are going through. Have fun with the project.

      Reply
  7. Seedplanta says

    August 2, 2013 at 1:10 pm

    Love the plans! Just 2 questions.
    1.Do you have a drawing that shows all the cuts for each plywood laid out by itself, i.e show the 4×8 plywood and the lines showing how to cut it?
    2. Is there a Pinter friendly version of the plans, I didn’t see a link to print it?
    THANKS AGAIN!

    Reply
    • Justin says

      August 2, 2013 at 10:01 pm

      I did’t have a cut diagram for this one. And sorry I don’t have a printer friendly version. I am glad that you loved the plans.

      Reply
  8. Louie says

    August 29, 2013 at 3:35 pm

    Just wanted to let you know that these were great plans.The only thing is that it will take 3 sheets of plywood to do these plans. There is no way of getting 5 shelves out of only 2 sheet. But beside that again great plans, should be done with this project in a few more days, and I can’t wait.
    LOUIE

    Reply
    • Justin says

      August 30, 2013 at 8:38 am

      Thanks for pointing that out, Louie. I now remember fastening the bottom shelf together. I updated the post to say 3 sheets of MDF not 2. Thanks!

      Reply
  9. Karen says

    November 15, 2013 at 2:41 pm

    Hi! Your blog is fantabulous! Is there a post where you detail the steps to creating the arches that run atop the columns?
    Thanks,!

    Reply
    • Justin says

      November 27, 2013 at 9:53 pm

      Karen, this is the only post that I have of how I built the arches.

      Reply
  10. kk says

    December 14, 2013 at 7:20 am

    How did you nail everything? I mean did you use pocket holes.

    Reply
    • Justin says

      December 20, 2013 at 9:54 am

      I used a nail gun with brad nails.

      Reply
  11. Jeff says

    January 11, 2014 at 12:35 pm

    The corner shelves look great. Two questions: Are the L-shaped shelves one piece of MDF or two that are butted together? How do you nail the sides of the unit to the thin cleats on the wall?

    Thanks! (please email me)

    Reply
    • Justin says

      January 21, 2014 at 10:02 pm

      Jeff, yes the L shaped shelves are one piece. When the cleats are nailed to the wall you can nail to the end of the cleat. It is small but once it all is nailed together it holds up really well.

      Reply
  12. Clem Griffiths says

    January 16, 2014 at 10:42 pm

    For the corner bookshelf can you clarify how I adjust for crown molding and baseboard molding working with the dimensions you have and assuming the dimensions for molding ,etc. I want to experiment with crown moulding in the one room ( home office).
    Excellent plans by the way I was thinking of howto build similar but I was way off. Thanks for sharing. In short I am asking for measurements that will support crown moulding

    Reply
    • Justin says

      January 28, 2014 at 10:09 am

      For the bottom shelf for instance, I had a base molding that was 6 1/2″ tall. I then added the face frame width of 2 1/2″. That gave me the total of 9″ for the height of the bottom shelf off the floor. I choose to keep the face frame width the same all around the bookshelf at 2 1/2″. So if you want to keep the face frame that same all the way around you need to add the height of your base molding to the face frame to give you the height of your bottom shelf. With your crown molding you need the height of the molding when it is placed at an angle. Then add the face frame width. I hope that helps and is not more confusing.

      Reply
      • Leah Morris says

        February 17, 2014 at 1:37 pm

        LOVE this. We have a new house and need to add molding. How much did this cost you to do and how much total time after you had plans?

        Reply
  13. Sam says

    February 28, 2014 at 6:01 pm

    Thanks for a great plan. Someone can clarify this for me. In step 1 what is the size of the shelf support?

    Reply
    • Justin says

      March 12, 2014 at 4:56 pm

      Sam, that is 1 5/8″ wide for the back shelf support. Thanks for asking.

      Reply
  14. Len says

    April 19, 2014 at 1:10 pm

    Just what I’m looking for.

    But, what supports the shelves where they butt against each other on the room side of the “V” join (or where they butt up against each other). And how does each shelf get joined to its neighbour.

    I can see that where they butt against each other on the wall side (supported underneath by the wall strip) but not on the room side).

    A vertical board in the room-side corner would work but there is none in your plans. And I would not to use one if at all possible.

    Reply
    • Justin says

      April 22, 2014 at 10:09 pm

      Len, the shelves are one “L” shape. They are one piece not two. I cut them out like that so they would be stronger in that situation. The front of the shelf trim also gives it additional support. If you are concerned about the weight of what you are putting on your shelves you could add a vertical shelf support. I hope that helps clear things up.

      Reply
      • Len says

        April 23, 2014 at 6:45 am

        Yes, I missed that on my first three reads. Lot of info there and I didn’t see it. Thanks for clarifying and thanks for this post.

        Reply
  15. claudia terra says

    August 27, 2016 at 7:46 am

    Do you think it would be possible to add a foldable desk?

    Reply
    • Cass says

      August 29, 2016 at 9:08 pm

      I think anything is possible 😉 You’d have to make sure you have clearance and support, of course, but I bet a creative DIYer could make it happen! I’d love to see pics if you do, Claudia 🙂

      Reply
  16. Tom says

    January 16, 2017 at 6:47 pm

    Hi. I am renovating a bedroom with new paint carpets and baseboards. I really like the plans you have here and just have a couple of questions regarding my project.
    1. With the carpets coming out do I build this to the wood subfloor or leave on top of the carpet.
    2. What height do you recommend for the header without the crown molding.

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Justin says

      February 6, 2017 at 9:39 am

      I would build it to the subfloor. I would do the header at least 2 1/2″ if you don’t do crown molding or go 3 1/2″ what ever looks best.

      Reply
  17. Rick van Teylingen says

    January 28, 2017 at 5:20 am

    Great plans, were of great help during construction, bookshelves turned out beautiful! Thanks! Rick

    Reply
  18. Stacey says

    February 16, 2018 at 3:09 pm

    Would this be easy to add rods on either side for hanging clothes in a closet?? Would MDF be best for that considering weight of clothes and hangers?

    Reply
    • Justin says

      July 4, 2018 at 10:50 am

      Sure you can add rods. Mdf could work but actual wood would be stronger. Then you could paint the wood to match if you are painting.

      Reply
  19. Camila says

    February 7, 2020 at 3:50 am

    Hi there,

    I am wondering if I could make this to start at the top of a counter instead of floor? We have a build in office and I would like to add corner shelf above the work station.

    Reply
    • Justin says

      February 7, 2020 at 9:41 pm

      Sure you could build that. You just need to reduce the height and take out a couple shelves. Let us know how it turns out and send us a picture. 😀👍

      Reply
  20. Jordyn says

    May 28, 2020 at 8:05 pm

    Hi! Love the plans and I’m curious why you limit the width for each “L” to 3 feet. For my particular project, I was hoping to have the longer side be about 5 feet in width. Would I need to add in more support for the shelves? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Justin says

      June 8, 2020 at 10:31 pm

      I think you would have to add some support halfway. Anything past about 4 feet starts to sag.

      Reply

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

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