How to Build a Bookcase Using Old Interior Doors

Old interior doors have a wonderful vintage appeal and are a great salvaged material for building a bookcase. This project calls for three doors that need not be of the same design but should be similar in size. Any salvaged door will do, but a bookcase made out of old interior doors from a family home would make a particularly fine heirloom.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Three old interior doors
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Table saw
• "L" shaped brackets
• Drill, small bit and screwdriver bit
• Wood screws, 3 inch and 1 inch
• Sandpaper
• Paint
• Paint brush

1. Trim and square up the doors using a table saw so they are perfect rectangles and the same size. Most framework in older homes was not perfectly even. In fact, some old interior doors were cut with a slanted bottom or top. They need to be straightened to make a bookcase.

2. Using the table saw, cut the length of one door into five equal sections. These sections will give you three shelves and the top and the bottom of the bookcase.

3. Use the second interior door to make the sides of the bookshelf. To determine the width of the sides, add together the depth of the shelves and the thickness of the third door (which will become the back of your bookcase).

4. Lay the third door down with the more cosmetically pleasing side facing up. Stand the length of the bookcase sides beside the length of the bookcase back. Space and drill five pilot holes through the sides and into the thickness of the back using the drill and small bit. Attach the sides to the back using the 3-inch wood screws.

5. Position one of the five cut sections between the sides of the bookcase and flush with the top of the back. Drill two pilot holes through the sides and into the thickness of the top section on one side of the case. One hole should be toward the back of the shelves and one toward the front. Attach with the 3-inch wood screws. Repeat for the opposite side of the bookcase top. Place another shelf section on the bottom of the bookcase and attach in the same way for the bookcase bottom.

6. Select positions within the bookcase to place your three shelves. Draw a line across the depth of the sides at each spot. Space two "L" brackets just below each mark lined, with one bracket 2 inches from the front of the case and the other 2 inches from the back. Attach brackets to the sides so that the horizontal side is on top extending into the bookcase. Drill pilot holes through the bracket holes and attach with 1-inch wood screws. Place a shelf section on top of the brackets. Drill pilot holes through the bracket holes under the shelf and attach with the 1-inch wood screws.

7. Sand to prepare the bookcase for painting. Paint the entire bookcase, including the "L" brackets.

Tips & Warnings

• Embrace the imperfections of your salvaged doors. Doorknob and hinge holes enhance their authenticity .