DIY Bookshelf – How To Build A Bookcase For Beginners

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Making your own bookshelves is a great way to save money and once you learn how to build a bookshelf you can create a custom size bookcase to fit anywhere in your home. A friend of ours made this bookshelf and took step-by-step photos so that we could share this useful DIY Bookshelf project with you.

With all the DIY ideas and inspiration on Pinterest these days, it’s a perfect time to learn some basic carpentry skills so that you can take on all the fun projects you see pinned on DIY boards. You could even make a DIY Bed Frame.

Take a look and then follow the steps to make your own basic bookshelf.

Supplies Needed:

• 2 – 1x12x8 Pine Wood
• 1 – 1x3x6 Pine Wood
• 2 feet by 4 feet Backer Board
• 1-inch Pocket Hole Screws
• Finishing Nails
• Miter Saw or Handsaw
• Drill
• Kreg Jig Junior
• Sander
• Tape Measure
• 1000 Grit Sand Paper (optional)
• Amber Shellac (optional)
• Shellac Brush (optional)
• Shop Towels (optional)
• Rubber Gloves (optional)

DIY Bookshelf Directions:

1. Begin by measuring and cutting your wood. You will need one piece of 1×12 at 24 inches in length, three pieces at 22 ½ inches in length, and two pieces at 49 ¼ inches in length. You will need to cut your sole piece of 1×3 to 22 ½ inches in length. If you do not have a miter saw or you do not feel like cutting your own wood, most lumber stores, if you buy their wood, will cut your wood for free in the store.
    
2. Once all your pieces of wood are cut, using an electric sander (or sanding by hand is acceptable as well if you do not have an electric sander) you will want to thoroughly sand down each piece of wood with 80 grit sand paper. If you buy “select” wood, it usually is already smooth enough you don’t need to sand anything. However, it’s much more expensive which is why we feel it’s worth the little bit of extra work to sand it down ourselves. Sanding just allows you to try and make the board as flawless as possible; removes extra bumps or ink spots left by the company.
    
   

   

    

3. Once your boards are sanded, you will need to drill your pocket holes using the Kreg Jig and your drill. The three pieces of 1×12 that are 22 ½ inches long will need three pocket holes on each end of one side of the board. There will be 6 pocket holes total on each one of those boards when completed. Your piece of 1×3 will need two pocket holes in each end of one side of the board for a total of 4 pocket holes in that board. Lastly, your two longest 1×12 pieces will need to have three pocket holes on one end on one side which will secure the top together.
    
   

   

   

   

   
    
4. Now begins assembly. Take your 24-inch 1×12 piece of wood and stand it up against something solid. Then take one of your 49 ¼-inch pieces of 1×12 and lay it flat right in front of the other board standing up and push the bottoms together so they’re flush with each other. The longer board should have the pocket holes facing up and they should be on the end touching the other board. Using your screws, line up the boards on each end so they’re perfectly aligned and screw the boards together.
    
   

   

   

    

5. On the opposite end of the long board you just attached to the other board, you will need to attach the piece of 1×3. Line up one end of the smaller board with the edge of the larger board on the side closest to you (this will be the front of the bookcase). Make sure the pocket holes of the 1×3 are facing in. Screw the two boards together and then flip the entire group of boards you just attached to each other. The two smaller boards will then be supporting the larger board.
    
   

   

    

6. Attach the second 49 ¼ inch piece of 1×12 to the open side of the frame you have begun to build. Do this in the same manner as the other board or however is most comfortable for you, just as long as the boards all line up with each other.
    
   

   

    

7. Once you have your frame, make sure the front portion of the bookcase is facing up (this is the side that should have the 1×3 on it). Take one of your 22 ½-inch boards and place it on top of the 1×3 with the pocket holes facing out. This will be the inside bottom of the bookshelf. Keep that in mind for the way the boards need to be facing. Using the pocket holes on the underneath of the board, secure it in place.

   

   
    
8. Next, you will be placing another one of your 22 ½-inch boards inside the frame to make another level inside the bookcase. Measure 16 inches up from the bottom level you just secured and screw, in the same fashion as the last board, that board to the frame.
    
   

   

9. Measure up 15 inches from that board and place your last level inside your bookcase, following the same steps as the other levels.
    
   

   

10. At this point, if you would like to do any sort of shellac or staining, you would want to do that now before putting the back cover on. We used amber shellac for the one pictured. In order to do the shellac, simply take your brush and put a nice even coat all over your bookshelf. Be sure to dust it off before you start applying the shellac. Also be sure to not leave any drops or globs of shellac as it will be noticeable upon drying. We put on one coat and then let it sit for a few hours and then applied a second coat and let it sit overnight.
     
    

    

     

11. Once your shellac is dry, take your 1000 grit sand paper and by hand, go over your entire bookshelf, lightly, not in a rough manner. This will make the wood feel a bit softer and more even. Dust off the bookshelf again.
     
12. Line your piece of backer board up and make sure it is flush with the top of the shelf which will make it sit in the perfect spot and length for the bottom of the shelf. They sell these backer boards in this size ready to go at a few major lumber stores, it’s a thin piece of wood that’s sort of flimsy and comes in various shades. Be sure to choose a shade that will match your bookcase. Tack the board in place with finishing nails all around it, evenly spaced.
     
    

    

    

    
     

And there you have it… you’ve built your own bookshelf.

Take some photos and celebrate!!!

If you haven’t yet tried this DIY Kids Chair, you can build it next.

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Be sure to pin this post so you can keep these instructions handy.

 

Written by the team at 5 Minutes for Mom
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