How to Make a Display Bookcase

A standard bookcase is enclosed while a display bookcase is open.

A display bookcase is a portable unit that is viewable from all sides. This allows the homeowner to move the unit from place to place, as desired, to display books, knickknacks or whatever. You can build a small display bookcase with just a few pieces of lumber and some plywood. The most important feature of your display bookcase is a weighted bottom. This feature prevents the unit from becoming top heavy and unstable. A bit of sand, hidden in the bottom of the unit will provide this stability.

Things You'll Need

• 4 boards (2-by-4s, 12 inches long)
• 8 boards (2-by-4s, 36 inches long)
• 16 framing nails
• Framing hammer
• 7 pieces of ¾-inch plywood (each measuring 36 by 15 inches)
• 6d nails
• Heavy duty, outdoor trash bag
• Play sand
• Jigsaw
• L-brackets
• ¾-inch wood screws
• Screwdriver
• Medium-grit sandpaper
• Damp rags
• Handheld paint sprayer
• Latex enamel paint
• Work gloves
• Safety glasses
• Dust mask
• Disposable protective suit

Instructions

1. Lay two of your 12-inch boards parallel to each other on a flat surface. Move the boards 36 inches apart. Lay two of your 36-inch boards parallel to each other to form a rectangle with the shorter boards. Drive two nails through the side of one end of a 36-inch board to attach it to the end of one of the 12-inch boards. Fasten all four corners to complete the rectangle. Build another wooden rectangle using the same pattern.

2. Lay a piece of plywood on top of each wooden rectangle. Fasten the plywood to the frame by driving a 6d nail at each corner. Strengthen the bond between plywood and frame by driving another 6d nail every 6 inches around the entire perimeter of the plywood. Be careful not to damage the plywood with your framing hammer throughout this process.

3. Flip one of the assemblies so that the plywood rests on the floor. Stand one of your remaining 36-inch boards in each inside corner of the assembly. Fasten the uprights to the frame with two of your 16d nails. Lay the remaining rectangular assembly on top of the uprights, and fasten it in place with 16d nails.

4. Open a trash bag in the bottom rectangle. Fill the bag with play sand, and tie it shut. cut the corners off of a piece of plywood to fit on top of the bottom frame, and cover the sand bag with a piece of plywood. Cut the corners off of the cover with your jigsaw. Fasten the cover to the lower frame with 6d nails.

5. Install an L-bracket every 9 inches along each upright. Fasten the brackets to the wood with ¾-inch wood screws. Be careful not to over-tighten these screws with your screwdriver. Over-tightening will cause the screws to strip the wood, making your shelves unstable.

6. Cut the corners off your remaining four pieces of plywood. Maneuver each piece of plywood into the framing. Place one shelf onto each set of L-brackets. Fasten the shelves to the brackets with wood screws.

7. Sand the entire unit by hand. Rub every board and piece of plywood with medium-grit sandpaper to remove any blemishes and smooth the wood. Wipe the entire set of shelves with a damp rag to remove any dust or debris.

8. Load the hopper of your handheld spray gun with latex enamel paint. Spray the shelves from top to bottom using a side to side sweeping motion of the sprayer. Apply the paint in short blasts. Let the paint dry completely, apply a second coat and let it dry overnight before using your shelves.

Tips & Warnings

• Work gloves and safety glasses are required when using hand and power tools.

• A dust mask and a disposable protective suit are required, in addition to your gloves and glasses, when sanding and and applying paint.

References

• SAS Interiors: Styling Your Bookshelves to Create a Dazzling Display