Things You'll Need:
- Finish nails or screws
- Lengths of pre-drilled uprights for shelving
- Shelves
- Backing for shelving unit (optional)
- Sink front fitting or cabinet base
- Saw
- Cordless drill or hammer
- Construction adhesive
- Contact cement
- Wood strips (can be scrap)
- Edge banding (same color as shelving)
- Paint (same color as shelving)
- Caulk and caulk gun
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Step 1
Decide on the shelving placement. Will it be recessed or built out from the wall? If the former, use a sink front fitting. If the latter, use a cabinet that has a full base.
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Step 2
Use white cabinets as it will hide the caulking necessary to plum and level the shelving. This is more of an issue in older houses.
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Step 3
Decide how big you would like your cabinetry will be, and make a detailed drawing that specifies the dimensions. Be certain to account for the size of your TV. For the base shelf on which the bookcases will be built, use a 42-inch sink front fitting. This allows some depth to the shelf, thus accommodating a TV. If the shelf stands proud of the wall, be certain to buy a full-based cabinet.
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Step 4
Order the cabinetry specified in your plan from a cabinetry shop. These can be found in the phone book, or by asking a building supply store for recommendations.
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Step 5
Place the sink front or cabinet base in position to determine the height. Mark this height on the walls. Screw half-inch wood strips horizontally to the wall. These strips will support the cabinet top's back and sides.
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Step 6
Screw wood strips vertically to the wall. You will secure the sink front or cabinet base to them.
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Step 7
Use finish nails or screws to install the sink front or cabinet base. You may choose to finish the front with trim pieces. If so, take careful measurements, cut the necessary pieces, and install them with finish nails.
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Step 8
Install a three-quarter inch shelf panel for the counter top. As the edges aren't finished, buy a roll of matching edge banding, and apply it to the raw edge to give it a finished appearance. Use contact cement to keep it in place.
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Step 9
Go to a big box store to buy your shelves and uprights. They are pre-made units that are three-quarters of an inch thick, and can be found in various widths and lengths. If you decide you want your shelves to be four feet above the sink front or cabinet base, buy one eight foot length and cut it in half. Make certain the uprights are pre-drilled to make your shelves adjustable.
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Step 10
Place the four foot uprights on top of the cabinet, hole side in, and fasten them directly to the wall with either the construction adhesive or screws. Measure, then attach the top shelf to the unit. Make certain the 12-inch portion of the uprights that has no holes is at the end nearest the cabinet top.
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Step 11
Glue the uprights and the top of the shelving unit together with construction adhesive if you are going to have the shelving unit stand proud of the wall, and countersink holes (pre-drill) and screw the pieces together. Fix one shelf in place for added stability, then attach the unit to the top of the cabinet with screws. You may wish to finish the back with a thin piece of plywood or some other sheathing. Attach this back of the shelving unit, finished side in.
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Step 12
Fit a shelf at the height you choose near the top of the shelving unit and screw it into place. This creates added stability to the shelf unit. All of the other shelves will be adjustable.
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Step 13
Create trim pieces for the top of the shelf unit. This can be made by using the same material as the shelving, and cutting down into whatever shape you desire. You can add crown molding which can also be found at the building supply store. Use finish nails or screws to fix them in place.
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Step 14
Cut pieces for the front sides of the shelving and attach them in the same manner.
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Step 15
Add the rest of the shelves at the height you desire. If the shelves are going to be bearing heavier loads, be certain to affix more shelf supports to the wall studs, or to the frame of the shelving uprights.
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Step 16
Use caulk to fill the gaps between the walls and the shelf unit, and those inside the unit.
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Step 17
Paint any raw edges with white paint. You may have to apply more than one coat.
