It keeps getting lesser and lesser. Then, with it still being held up, put a level on the top, and adjust the position of the shelf until it's level. ), and cut off excess with a circular saw. Now would also be a good time to mark out your shelves, as shown below, on the sides. The wide edge should be about 9 or 10 inches (mine was about 9 1/2). Position it a "1x4-thickness" away from the edge. A simple to build shelf that can add style and function to wall spaces. And our kids are learning from us, they know how to use a… I originally wanted it to be 42 inches, but the piece I had was too short for that. In other words, there will be just enough space for the 1x4 to fit behind it, and not hang off the edge. Search. :-D. As always, if anything is unclear, please let me know in the comments and I'll do my best to clarify! You can go with per foot (I think Home Depot does this) but I always just buy bundles of 1x2s 8' long. 1x10 board as long as you want your shelf to be (mine was 4 feet, I wouldn't really recommend going longer), 2x2 about 6-8 inches shorter than board (I used a deck/porch baluster like, A 1x4, about 16 inches long, or two 8 inch pieces, A 2x3, about 18-20 inches long, or two 9 or 10 inch pieces (I had a lot of these chunks of 2x3 left from a closet framing project, if you don't have a 2x3, you could probably do it with 2x2), A 3/4 or 1 inch dowel, about 25 inches long, or four 6 inch pieces (I used an old broken tool handle, it had been on a shovel I think (Edit: I think maybe it was actually a broom handle. There is nothing like too much storage space! Anyway, I held the 1x4 chunk and the angle piece up to the board, in the position they'd be in the finished shelf, and marked the 1x4 in the place that looked most aesthetically pleasing. Cut the end at a 45° degree angle with a miter saw or miter box, as shown. A friend to help hold it up while you mount it on the wall. Head over to the tutorial now for all the details. For re-coating and drying times, follow paint manufacturer's instructions. Popular Mechanics has a free bookcase plan that tells you how to build a bookcase that will fit any wall in your home. I had a 1x10 board left over from another project, so I based my design around that, using various scraps and pieces of wood I had on hand in the garage. I had books all over my desk, and they were always in my way, so I'd set them aside on the floor, and there they'd stay until they were scattered everywhere. Once the bookcase is positioned, place an "L" bracket on top so it is flush with the wall and shelf and use a drill to attach the bracket to the top of the shelf. I had books all over my desk, and they were always in my way, so I'd set them aside on the floor, and there they'd stay until they were scattered everywhere. Not only tha… A wall-bed combination or drop-down bed helps save a lot of room in a tight basement, so consider installing this DIY Murphy bed and bookcase. You'll want it as close the the exact length as possible. Then cut the angled support pieces from the 2x3. Here's a collection of 141 DIY bookshelf/bookcase plans and ideas that are look good and easy to build. Custom Bookcase Plan. Now it's time for the finishing touches! I actually didn't have any extra pieces of 1x4, so I used a table saw to cut the extra chunk of 1x10 into two pieces the shape and size of a 1x4. Then put glue in each hole in one end of the shelf, and insert the other ends of the dowels. One thing to note is that if your main board is warped (usually is), there will be a gap between the main board and the support, where one edge of the end of the support touches the board, and the other doesn't. Copyright 2009-2011 Ana White/Ana White.com. This is important, because one end of the dowel will be in the board, and one end in the "railing", and if the holes in each piece aren't the same distance from each other, the bookend won't fit together properly. Hi Karen, not all of the posts have animations. with the miter saw. Check to make sure each pair of marks has the same distance between them! Do a test piece to make sure the bit is positioned properly, then bevel the long edges of the angle supports (not the end), one edge of the 2x2, both long edges and one short edge of the 1x4 pieces, and both short sides and one long one of the 1x10 board. Perfect for CDs and DVDs, books, and frames, this wall bookshelf is designed to be easy to build, easy to look at and easy to use. It should be shaped like a trapezoid, not a parallelogram. Frameless Bookshelf Customizeable Sizes Template, Trimmed and ready for Christmas - Dollhouse, our modified version of printers sideboard, Dimensions for doors on easy wall bookshelf needed. See additional photos below. After we downsized to a much smaller house, I had difficulty storing my books. Did you make this project? 12 of 22 Organizing a colorful collection of found objects makes an offbeat (and inexpensive) alternative to wall art. Basically I just put the support where it was centered side-to-side on the 1x4, and held it in place with all my might while I drilled the pilot hole through the back and screwed it in place. Drill two pilot holes into the inside edge of each 1x4 support piece, where the screws are in the picture. Now all my books are together in one place, and there's still space for a few more! For the main board, I had to prop it up, as shown. Wouldn't I just need 5 feet? Then screw into the other hole. Note that the supports may not be completely parallel, and thus not sit flat on the wall at first. Basic Bookshelf Instructions. I wanted the shelf to have a little more of a refined look, and less of a made-of-scrap-lumber look, so I beveled the edges with a routing table. 1 1×2 8′ long (Less than a dollar) So you'll have to decide which side is top and which is bottom at this point. Then decide where you want the dowel holes to be. For more tips, like how to secure an antique bookcase to a wall using Velcro, read on! Should I be able to see it in the other posts? As new gadgets come out everyday, we indulge in spending significant time and money on these gadgets. Maybe things don't come in 5 feet lengths. For more tips, like how to secure an antique bookcase to a wall using Velcro, read on! Make a line lengthwise down the center of each 1x2 piece. MorningChores. Participated in the Shelving Contest 2016, Participated in the Trash to Treasure Contest 2017. Attach shelves to the sides. Simple Barrister Bookshelf Plan from Popular Woodworking. 13 of 22 Even just a few striking objects can create a visually interesting display. Thank you to Kenny-C for sharing his photo. Modular Bookshelf. Remember not to go past 4″ on the vertical (up and down), as the top and bottom shelves will sit at 4″ from the top and 4″ from the bottom. And if that space fills up, well then, I can build another! Shelves in the form of boxes keep the contents in place and are safe, and at the same time, they are a great present. Kenny-C added doors to this plan for a beautiful wall shelf. I had books all over my desk, and they were always in my way, so I'd set them aside on the floor, and there they'd stay until they were scattered everywhere. Not only tha… 3 years ago. Screw into the holes in the other support. If I had known I was only going to paint the bookends, I would have gotten a smaller can! Reply Popular Mechanics. This will be heavy with all those books on it, so you'll definitely want it screwed into a stud! Drill a pilot hole into the back of the 1x4, into the 2x2, and screw in place. After you cut one side out, use it as a pattern for the other side. I then used scissors to cut along the arc, and thus was able to mask neatly against the dowel.