How to Build Room Divider Bookshelves

Do you have a room in your house or office that you would like to divide into two or three rooms? Before you hire an expensive contractor to build new walls, consider a room divider bookshelf. Room divider bookshelves keep the space open and light, while providing a beautiful container for books. You can build an attractive room divider bookshelf in almost any space.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Several finished boards at least 10 feet in length and 12 inches in width.
• Wood screws (at least 1.5 inches length)
• Drill and drill bits
• 90-degree steel brackets
• Electric table saw or circular saw

Build Room Divider Book Shelves

1. Take a look at the space in which you want to build your room divider book shelf. How tall does the room divider need to be? How wide? How many shelves would you like and how tall should they be? Are you going to put anything on the shelves other than books? If so, consider spacing the shelves slightly farther apart than you would for a standard bookshelf, which has about a 12-inch shelf. Figure out the dimensions of your bookcase--the length of boards and distance between them. Remember that a support is needed for for every 2-to-2.5 feet of shelf.

2. Cut two side pieces and a top and bottom for your bookshelf. Screw these pieces together so that they form the outer frame for your bookshelf. Pre-drill all holes to prevent the wood from splitting or cracking. For additional strength, apply a bead of wood glue before finally screwing the boards together.

3. Mark the spots where shelves should sit with pencil along the two upright sides of the frame. Remember to space the shelves so that each shelf has equal space, up to the last shelf. Adjust your marks until each shelf is of equal size, taking into account that the thickness of the boards must be factored in.

4. Attach shelves to the frame with screws and glue, pre-drilling all holes. When finished you should have a sturdy bookcase with evenly spaced shelves.

5. Using the same wood from which you made the frame and shelves, cut full sized pieces of wood to prop up the shelves. These pieces should be the same size as the space between shelves measured at the edge of the bookcase where the shelf meets the frame. Space supports at equal intervals so that they create a symmetrical pattern of squares or rectangles.

6. Attach supports by drilling down through the shelf above. Apply wood glue for further strength. Place each support on the opposite side of the shelf, lined up directly with the one beneath it. Test the bookcase for strength and sturdiness. If you suspect any structural weakness, do not use the book case.

7. Attach the bookcase to the floor or a wall--drill through to a stud in the wall--with 90-degree steel brackets and screws. The finished product is a delightful room divider case that is open on both sides.

Tips & Warnings

• Leave a large space between shelves if you want more light and sound to pass between rooms.
• Never use a bookcase you suspect to be weak or unstable. Only operate power tools if trained to do so.

Resources

• Great ideas for bookshelf projects