How to Build Bookcases & Shelves Around a Fireplace

Bookcases and shelves are a great addition to any room, but will look even better in a room where they surround a fireplace. Shelves can be added above a fireplace to hold just about anything, and book cases around a fireplace can not only hold household books, but also small sculptures or other decorations. Bookcases are simple to build out of plywood, and shelves are easy to hang with shelf brackets and an electronic stud finder.

Things You'll Need

• 3/4-inch plywood board
• 1-inch nails
• Hammer
• Wood glue
• Electronic stud finder
• Pencil
• 1 1/2-inch screws
• Shelf brackets
• Level
• Saw

Instructions

Make the Bookcases

1. Measure the area around the fireplace to determine the length, width and height of the bookcase.

2. Use the 3/4-inch plywood board to make the pieces of the bookcase. Cut the sides of the bookcase to the height and length measurement from Step 1, the back to the height and width measurement, and the top, bottom and shelves of the bookcase to the length and width measurement. Make as many bookshelves as desired.

3. Assemble a rectangle with the sides, top and bottom pieces using wood glue and nails to join the edges, adding one nail every 2 inches.

4. Put wood glue on the ends of the shelves, and put them in the rectangle. Use nails to fasten the shelves in place.

5. Attach the back piece to the bookcase. Apply wood glue to the sides, top, bottom and shelves, press the back piece onto the other pieces, and space nails every 2 to 3 inches. Make sure to nail the back piece to the shelves to add stability to the shelves.

6. Stand the bookcases next to the fireplace.

Make the Shelves

1. Measure the area above the fireplace, and plot out the area where the shelves will be installed by drawing a straight line with a level. Cut the 3/4-inch plywood to size.

2. Pass an electronic stud finder along the wall and mark where the studs are with a pencil.

3. Line up the shelf brackets with the shelf line. Drill a screw through the bracket and into the wall stud to secure the brackets to the wall. Use one bracket on each end of the shelf and on in the center for shelves that will hold a good deal of weight.

4. Place the shelf on top of the brackets, and fix them with 1/2-inch screws if necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Nail decorative molding to the bookcases or shelves to add ornamentation. Paint or stain the wood to add color to match the décor of the fireplace.

References

• HGTV