How to Build a Hanging Bookshelf
A hanging bookshelf takes advantage of vertical space in a room for decorative storage. Build a hanging bookshelf to fit any space using industrial building supplies and chunky wood boards. The bookshelves are stationary as they hang from the ceiling. Paint the metal rods and the other necessary hardware to complement the style of the wood shelves, or leave the metal alone to highlight the industrial aspect of the steel. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Vise
- Hacksaw
- 1-inch diameter stainless steel threaded rods
- Stud finder
- Drill
- 1-inch hole bit
- 1-inch diameter stainless steel bolts and washers, 6
- 2-inch thick wood board
- Circular saw
- Medium-grade sandpaper
- Light-grade sandpaper
- Primer
- Paint or stain/polyurethane
- Painting/staining supplies
Instructions
-
-
1
Position a 1-inch diameter stainless steel, threaded rod in a vice and secure it tightly. One method of securing a rod in a vice is to drill a hole through the center of a wood block with a cut line opening to fit a hacksaw. Position the section of the rod to be cut beneath the cut line and bolt it in place to the wood. Use a hacksaw to cut the rod into two 4-foot-long sections.
-
2
Locate a ceiling joist where you plan to hang the bookshelf. Drill two 1-inch holes through the ceiling and through the joist. Space the holes equal to the desired width of the hanging bookshelf, less 4 inches.
-
-
3
Insert one end of each threaded rod through the ceiling and through the ceiling joist so that each rod protrudes 1 inch beyond the ceiling joist. Tighten a stainless steel washer and bolt to the 1-inch section of rod extending through the joist in the ceiling to secure each rod in place.
-
4
Cut two 2-inch-thick wood boards equal to the desired overall width of the hanging bookshelf. Drill a 1-inch diameter hole 2 inches from each end of each board.
-
5
Sand the wood boards with medium-grade paper, then sand them again with light-grade paper. Finish the shelves with primer and paint or stain/polyurethane.
-
6
Fit the drilled holes in one wood board over the hanging threaded rods. Position the board at the desired height of the tallest bookshelf. Secure the board in place on the rod with washers and bolts.
-
7
Follow the process to add the second shelf near the bottom of the hanging rods.
-
1
