DIY Rustic Bookshelves

Use old wood crates for your new bookshelves.

Rustic bookshelves have a slightly rough, unfinished aspect that complements a western or casual decorating scheme. They are sturdy and can hold up knickknacks as well as books, and they add a subtle degree of texture to your home or apartment. Make your own rustic bookshelves out of fruit crates or other wooden crates that you can purchase cheaply.

Things You'll Need

• Drop cloth
• Wood crates
• Soap
• Nylon scrub
• Brackets
• Screws
• Electric drill
• Hammer
• Nails

Instructions

1. Put down a drop cloth to protect your work surface.

2. Clean the wood crates by scrubbing them with soap and water, using a nylon scrub.

3. Allow the wood crates to dry completely.

4. Sand the crates lightly using 200-grit sandpaper to take some of the rough edges off the bookshelves.

5. Lay one crate on its long side and place another crate on top of it, lining up the edges and ensuring that the openings face in the same direction.

6. Screw two brackets to each side of the wood crates, connecting them to each other using an electric drill. Place the brackets close to the edge of the wood crates, where there is thick wood at the corners.

7. Hammer two nails into the bottom edge of the top box’s opening, attaching this edge to the top of the bottom box. At this point, the bookshelf is ready for use, though you can add another box on top of the bookshelf for more height as well.

References

• Apartment Therapy; Bookshelves from Wooden Crates; Sarah Coffey; January 2009
• OhDeeDoh; How To: Make Shelves Out of Fruit Crates; Tammy Everts; July 2008