How to Make a Bookcase From Drawers
You don't have to have advanced carpentry skills to build your own furniture. In fact, you may only need a few discarded elements from other pieces of furniture, along with a few basic tools. For example, you can build a functional bookcase by simply piling empty drawers on top of each other. This method is so easy, almost anyone can do it. And it lends itself to a variety of creative touches. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Drawers
- Screwdriver
- Wood filler -- optional
- Fine-grain sandpaper
- Nail gun
- Interior-grade latex paint and primer
- Metal L brackets
- Screws
Instructions
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1
Select the drawers you want to use for your bookcase. If you prefer a bookcase in which all the shelves are of equal width and depth, gather identical drawers. If you want an abstract bookcase, one with shelves of various sizes, collect a variety of drawers.
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2
Remove the hardware from the drawers by loosening the screws inside the drawers with a screwdriver. If you like, you may fill the holes with wood filler. Once the wood filler dries, you can sand away the excess with fine-grain sandpaper, and you will be left with a smooth surface.
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3
Stack the drawers sideways on top of each other in the arrangement you prefer. The bottom of the drawers will become the back of the bookcase, and the side panels will become the top and bottom of each shelf.
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4
Stack identical drawers on top of each other, aligning the edges to create a bookcase with shelves of uniform size and shape. If the drawers you are using have a facing that extends beyond the the actual drawer, remove the facing if possible by prying it loose, or simply alternate the drawers so that an equal number of drawers have the facing on each side of the bookcase.
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5
Stack the drawers haphazardly to create an abstract look. You might stand two identical drawers vertically to form a base for your bookshelf and alternate the rest, stacking them horizontally and vertically to complete your bookshelf.
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Secure the shelves to each other by inserting nails from a nail gun through the top of one drawer into the bottom of the drawer above. Place one nail in the corner of each drawer and and at least one midway between each pair of adjacent corners.
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Paint your bookcase as you desire, using interior-grade latex paint. If some of your drawers are already painted or stained, you may need to apply one or two coats of primer before you paint. Apply the paint with a soft brush, or use spray paint for a smooth, even coating.
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Place your bookcase in the desired position in your room. It is best to situate the bookcase against the wall and, for added stability, you may choose to attach metal L brackets to the wall and screw them in to the top and bottom corners of the bookcase.
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Tips & Warnings
To add a splash of color, line the drawers with scrapbook paper or contact paper before assembling your bookcase. This is a great way to ensure that the bookcase blends with your decor.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images
