DIY Enclosed Bookshelves

Bookshelves provide a place for you to store your valuable paperback and hardback books without cluttering your living space. An enclosed bookshelf adds a bit of personal privacy by keeping books hidden from guests. You can purchase ready-made enclosed bookshelves, or you can build your own; this allows you to customize your bookshelves to fit your living space and match your home's decor. Determine the height and width of your enclosed bookcase based on your available space and storage needs.

Things You'll Need

• 2-by-2-inch lumber
• Measuring tape
• Circular saw
• Miter saw
• Drill
• 4-inch wood screws
• Screwdriver
• 3/8-inch thick pine or hardwood
• Table saw
• Metal hinges
• 1-by-2-inch lumber
• 1 1/2-inch wood screws
• Palm sander
• Paint
• Wood stain
• Pull knobs

Instructions

1. Measure four sections of 2-by-2-inch lumber to the width of the bookcase with a measuring tape. Measure four additional sections to the depth, and four sections 4 inches shorter than the finished height of the bookcase. Cut the lumber sections with a circular saw.

2. Miter the width and depth sections at 45-degree angles with a miter saw.

3. Assemble two width and two depth sections in a rectangle to form the bottom plate of the bookcase frame. Drill pilot holes through the corners with a drill. Insert and tighten 4-inch wood screws through each pilot hole with a screwdriver to secure the bottom plate. Repeat this process with the remaining width and depth sections to form the top plate.

4. Stand the bottom and top plates on their edges, far enough apart to accommodate the height sections. Place one height section on the floor at each corner that touches the floor. Drill pilot holes through the top and bottom plates into the height sections and insert 4-inch wood screws. Turn the plates on their opposite edges and repeat this process with the remaining two height sections.

5. Stand the frame upright on its bottom plate. Measure sections of 3/8-inch-thick pine or hardwood sheets to cover the sides, back and top of the frame. Cut the sheets with a table saw.

6. Place the cut sheets on the frame. Drill pilot holes through the sheets and secure them to the frame with 4-inch wood screws.

7. Measure and cut two sheets of 3/8-inch-thick pine or hardwood equal to the height and 1/2 the width of the bookcase front; these will serve as the doors. Mark the vertical center of each door. Mark a line 4 inches from the top and bottom of each door. Install metal hinges, using these marks as guides on the outer edge of the inside of each door with the included screws.

8. Attach the hinges to the inside of the cabinet with the included screws. Open and close the doors to make sure they operate correctly.

9. Measure the interior depth of the cabinet. Cut two sections of 1-by-2-inch lumber to this measurement for each interior shelf to form the shelf supports. Install the supports on the interior sides of the cabinets with 1 1/2-inch wood screws at 4-inch intervals.

10. Cut one section of 3/8-inch-thick pine or hardwood to the interior width and depth of the bookcase for each shelf. Slide the shelves into the cabinet so that one shelf rests on each pair of supports.

11. Sand all interior and exterior surfaces of the bookcase with a palm sander to smooth the surfaces and round the corners. Paint or stain the bookcase to match your home's decor.

12. Drill a hole at the vertical center of each door about 1 inch from the inside edge. Attach a pull knob through each hole and tighten the knob screw with a screwdriver.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear protective eyewear and gloves while cutting and assembling the enclosed bookcase to reduce your risk of injuries.

References

• Easy-to-Build Bookcases, Shelves and Clutter Control Projects: 18 Practical Solutions to Organize Your Home; Rob Joseph, et al.