DIY: Bookshelf Ideas

DIY bookshelves are an alternative to expensive manufactured options.

When you're decorating a house, bookshelves can make both functional and beautiful additions to a design scheme. Whether you want to save money or add a more personal touch to your house, DIY bookshelves can be a stylish and inexpensive option.

Ladders

If you have old ladders around the house or the garage, you can turn them into bookshelves. For a large, sturdy shelving unit, stand a ladder with the open edges parallel to the wall and lay plants across the rungs; you can use one or more ladders for this configuration. For a less utilitarian-looking bookshelf, lean a closed ladder against the wall and use the rungs as shelves. If you want a wall-mounted shelving unit, hang a ladder on the wall with one edge parallel to the floor. The books can stand vertically between the rungs.

Books

For a whimsical take on bookshelves, use books as shelves. Install simple brackets on the wall; you can purchase inexpensive options at hardware stores or discount stores. Lay a book across the brackets with the spine facing out so that the flat surface becomes a small bookshelf. Use books that have visual interest, like clothbound options from a thrift store. Paint the brackets the same color as the wall so they recede into the background and the book becomes the focal point.

Drawers

Recycle the drawers from an old dresser or a set of cabinets by turning them into a bookcase. Pull out the drawers and paint the exterior of the drawers. Paper the inside of each drawer with colorful craft paper or wallpaper samples, and remove the hardware. Stack the drawers against the wall with the bottom interior of the drawers facing out so they form a colorful bookshelf. Adjust them to the shape of the room and the height you want by stacking them in different configurations, adding nails or screws to attach drawers together for stability.

Wooden Crates

For an easy, quick DIY bookshelf, use wooden crates; for extra ambiance, look for crates with printing on the sides. Use heavy-duty nails to attach the crates to a wall, and use brackets beneath each crate to help support the weight. Depending on the wall space you're working with, you can use a linear arrangement, a grid pattern or a more offset design.

References

• Kaboodle: DIY BOOKSHELVES...MADE WITH BOOKS!
• Re-Nest: Inspiration: A Ladder Bookshelf
• Country Living: DIY Bookcase; Ryan McPhail