How to Build Shelves on the Sides of a Fireplace

Fireplace bookshelves are a great place to store books, movies, electronics or mementos.

A fireplace is often the focal point of your family room or living room. Adding bookshelves to flank the fireplace creates a finished look to the room. The shelves provide a display for your media equipment, books and collectibles. Construction of the bookshelves requires some basic carpentry work. Add your own touches to personalize the structure.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• ¾-inch birch plywood
• Table saw
• ¼-inch birch plywood
• T-square
• Nails
• Hammer
• Carpenter's level
• Wood glue
• Wood filler
• Stud finder
• Power screwdriver
• Wood screws
• Orbital sander
• 220-grit sandpaper
• Primer
• Paint
• Paintbrushes

Instructions

Lower Section

1. Measure the width of your space. The depth should be 20 inches and the height 24 inches to accommodate media equipment.

2. Cut two sides, a top and a bottom piece, from the ¾-inch plywood, using your measurements. Cut one shelf 1¼ inches shorter than the width of the top and bottom shelf pieces.

3. Align one side piece with the bottom shelf. Use a T-square to square the corners. Nail the side to the bottom shelf. Attach the top shelf in the same manner. Nail the opposite side piece to the top and bottom shelves, squaring the corners. Stand the unit upright. Place a carpenter's level on the top of the box and check that the box is level.

4. Measure the height and width of the completed box. Cut a back piece from ¼-inch plywood to your dimensions. Place the unit with the front side down. Position the plywood piece on the back. Secure with nails.

5. Turn the box over. Place the shelf in the unit. Mark the position with a pencil. Place wood glue along the inside edges of the shelf. Hold in position and secure with nails.

6. Sand the surfaces with an orbital sander.

Upper Section

1. Measure the height for the top shelf section from the top of the lower unit to the ceiling, subtracting 1 inch for clearance. The width is the same as the lower section. The depth is 11 inches to accommodate books and collectibles.

2. Cut side and top pieces from the ¾-inch plywood. You do not need a bottom piece as the shelf unit will be attached to the bottom section. Cut three shelves 1 ¼ inch shorter than the top piece.

3. Nail one side piece to the top piece, remembering to square the corners. Nail the opposite side piece in the same manner.

4. Measure the dimensions for the back of the shelf section and cut the piece from ¼-inch plywood. Nail the back to the upper section, checking that the assembly is squared.

5. Decide where to position the shelves. Apply wood glue to the inside edges of the shelves and place them in position. Nail the shelves into the unit. Sand the surfaces.

Assembling the Shelves

1. Locate the wall studs using a stud finder and mark their positions. Secure the lower cabinet to the wall studs using wood screws.

2. Place the upper shelf section on top of the lower section and secure it to the wall studs. Nail the two sections together.

3. Apply wood filler to screw and nail holes. Allow to dry and sand smooth.

4. Apply a primer coat to all surfaces. Dry thoroughly. Paint the entire surface with cabinet paint. Allow to dry thoroughly before placing books or equipment on the surface.

Tips & Warnings

• Assemble the bookshelf for the opposite side of the fireplace in a similar manner. Check height and shelf placements to create a symmetrical unit.

• Add wood molding to the top of bookshelves, if desired, for a decorative look.

References

• HGTV: Constructing Bookshelves Around a Fireplace