How to Make Your Own Shelf Dividers
Bookshelf dividers can be just as important to an organized home as a good filing system or a set day to take out the trash. These dividers hold different sections of books upright, even if a book from one of the sections is missing. Instead of leaning piles of books, you have neat, organized shelves with a clear space for everything. Not only do they reduce the amount of clutter on your shelves, they also add a touch of decoration and personality. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Chalk
- Drill
- 1/4-inch drill bit
- Wooden corner brackets (such as gingerbread corners or filigree)
- Acrylic paint or stain
- Paintbrushes
- Wood screws
Instructions
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1
Measure across the bottom edge of the inside of one of your bookshelves and divide the measurement by the number of divisions you want in your shelf. For instance, if you want four divisions in a shelf 24 inches long, you’ll need a division every 6 inches.
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2
Make chalk marks along the bottom of each shelf to mark your division points. Make chalk marks about 3 inches above your first chalk marks on the back of the bookcase, indicating where the screws will go. In an open-backed bookcase, make a second mark 3 inches in front of the first on the horizontal part of the shelf. Drill through each mark with a 1/4-inch drill bit.
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3
Drill 1/4-inch pilot holes about 3 inches apart through the back of as many corner brackets as you want divisions. You can find wooden corner brackets, unfinished, at many hardware and craft stores. They look like wooden L-shapes with a decorative quarter-circle set into the angle. You will find filigree designs, stylized rosettes or scrollwork pieces. They must span at least half the width of the shelf to hold your books securely upright.
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4
Paint the wooden brackets with paint or stain that matches your bookcase. You may also use a contrasting color for some added decoration. Let the paint or stain dry overnight.
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5
Line up the holes in the back of each bracket with the holes in the back of your bookcase. Screw the brackets into place with steel screws from the back of the bookcase.
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References
- Photo Credit Steve Baccon/Digital Vision/Getty Images
