How to Make a Wall Bookshelf

Build a wall bookshelf to create additional storage space for your books.

Build a wall-mounted bookshelf to showcase your books along a wall. Spines of books are colorful and can create visual interest on a wall. A basic, wall-mounted bookshelf can be made from pine boards and fastened with flush trim wood screws. It consists of a mounting board, shelf and ends. Holes are drilled in the mounting board to allow for easy installation on any wall of the home.

Things You'll Need

• Pine board, 1-by-10-inch, 72-inches long
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Miter saw
• Sandpaper
• Pine board, 1-by-12-inch, 48-inches long
• Box, flush trim wood screws
• Screw gun
• 1/8-inch drill bit
• Drill
• Wood finish
• Paintbrush

Instructions

1. Place the 1-by-10-by-72-inch board on a work surface. Measure along the board with a tape measure and mark it at 48 inches with a pencil.

2. Cut the board at 48 inches using a miter saw. Set the board aside. This is the shelf board.

3. Measure, mark and cut two 10-inch sections from the remaining length of 1-by-10 board. These are the shelf ends.

4. Sand all of the wood parts for the bookshelf. Use a progression of medium and fine-grit sandpaper until the boards are completely smooth.

5. Place the 1-by-12-by-48-inch board with one 1-by-48-inch side flat against the work surface. This is the mounting board. Position one 1-by-10-by-10-inch board perpendicular to the mounting board on each end. The cut 1-by-10-inch end should be facing flat against the work surface. The factory milled 1-by-10-inch side should be flat against the surface of the mounting board.

6. Drive flush trim wood screws through the back side of the mounting board into the edges of the end boards. Use four evenly spaced screws per joint.

7. Align the shelf board on top of the end boards. The 10-by-48-inch side should be flat against the ends of the end boards. The 1-by-48-inch side should be flat against the surface of the mounting board.

8. Drive screws through the 10-by-48-inch side of the shelf into the edges of the end boards. Space the screws every two inches. Drive screws through the back of the mounting board into the edge of the shelf board every three inches.

9. Lay the shelf with back of the mounting board flat on the work surface. Drill four evenly spaced screws through the mounting board 2 inches down from the top and bottom edge of the mounting board. Use a 1/8-inch drill bit. These are the mounting holes.

10. Apply a wood finish to the completed wall-mounted bookshelf. Allow the finish to dry prior to installation.

Tips & Warnings

• Adjust the measurements to meet the size requirements for your specific living space.

• Wear eye protection when working with wood.

References

• Ana White: Build Wall Bookholders
• Renovate Australia: Build a Wall-Mounted Photo Shelf

Resources

• This Old House: How to Build a Bookcase