Guest Post DIY Bookshelf by The Design Confidential

This afternoon we have a great tutorial for a bookshelf by one of my fellow DIY Club members!  Rayan always has great plans on her site to build awesome pieces saving you lots of $$$.







Hi friends! Rayan from The Design Confidential here…excited to share this easy to build bookshelf plan with you today! I hope you enjoy this project, I think you just might… 
This adorable and simple bookshelf is Inspired by the PB Teen Stuff your Stuff bookshelf and is a continuation of a collection by the same name that I have been working on this past week. If you would like to view the other plans completed in this collection so far, click here to browse…otherwise I hope you might browse through the other fun stuff we do on my site, and the other hundreds of free plans you can choose from! Browsing the Visual Plan Index is a bit like shopping for furniture and accessories… have fun, and pick your poison, because if you haven’t been bitten by the building bug already, you surely will! It’s only a matter of time… Here is the beauty we will be focusing on today. She’s got beauty and brains with easy accommodations for electronics and storage galore!
 
To view other Build It! Plans in the Visual Plan Index, click the button below...


Dimensions are shown Below:

 Estimated Cost: $25- $50
Oky dok, let’s talk about what you will need to build this bookshelf!

Tape Measure
Sander
Drill
Kreg Jig (pocket hole system)
Finish Nail Gun – optional and can use screws or finish nail set and hammer

 
1 1/4” Pocket Hole Screws
1 1/4” Finish Nails
Wood Glue
Wood Filler
Sanding Supplies
Finishing Supplies
 Wood:
2 – 2x2 at 8’
2 – 1x2 at 8’
1 – 1x3 at 6’  OR at 8’ if an 8’ furring strip is less expensive (they usually are)
1 – 1x12 at 6’
1 – 1x12 at 8’
1 – 3/4” Square Dowel at 3’
1/2 sheet of 1/4” Ply at 4’x4’

 
4 – 2x2 at 29 3/4” Legs
4 – 1x2 at 11 1/4” Side Trim – Cut to exact width of your 1x12 as these may vary by region
3 – 1x2 at 28” Shelf Trim and Back Side Cleats
1 – 1x2 at 31”  Top
1 – 1x3 at 31” Top
2 – 1x12 at 27” Side Panels – can be plywood or mdf also
2 – 1x12 at 28” Shelves
1 – 1x12 at 31” Top
1 – 3/4” Square Dowel at 31”
1 – 1/4” Ply at 28” x 28 3/4”  Back Panel

 
Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about getting started, tools and building techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found on the main page of my site.

  Build the Side Panels: Measure the actual width of your 1x12’s prior to cutting the length of your trim as the dimensions can vary considerably by region. Cut your 1x2’s to the exact width of your 1x12 and then you will use of your Kreg Jig set for 3/4” stock and your 1 1/4” pocket hole screws and glue to fasten the 1x12 Panels to the Legs. Then Fasten your Trim in place using 1 1/4” Finish Nails and Glue or if you prefer you can use your Kreg Jig to secure the Trim in place first, set for 3/4” Stock and your 1 1/4” pocket hole screws and glue, and then proceed to fasten the panels in place after that. Both methods will work, this should be decided based on the tools and materials you have at your disposal.
 

  Fasten the Shelves in Place: You will use your Kreg Jig set for 3/4” stock and your 1 1/4” pocket hole screws and glue to secure the shelves in place, then fasten the trim in place using 1 1/4” finish nails and glue.

 

  Fasten the Back Side Cleats in Place: Secure with your Kreg Jig set for 3/4” stock and your 1 1/4” pocket hole screws and glue. The top cleat will sit flush with the top of the legs, and both cleats will sit flush with the inside edges of the back legs, leaving a 3/4” inset space on the backside where you will attach your back panel in the next step.

Tack on the Back Panel: Cut a hole for these cords 4” from the bottom of the back panel. This hole can be 1 1/2” or 2” in diameter and can be cut out using a jig saw, or hole saw bit (or a drill savvy person could get crazy drilling pilot holes until the opening is large enough, if that person didn’t have a hole saw bit or jig saw). Use your 1 1/4” Finish Nails and Glue to secure the back panel to the Cleats. The back panel is inset between the legs, and will fasten directly to the cleats leaving about 1/2” of space remaining on the back side to allow for your electrical cords to run through and out the back.
 


  Fasten the Top in Place: The Top will be comprised of a series of 3 boards adjacent to one another. Glue and Nail each on in place using your 1 1/4” finish nails and beginning at the back with the 1x2 which will sit flush with the legs, then tack on the next board which is a 1x12 and then finish the top with a 1x3 at the front which will hang over the front edge of the legs a bit. Once you have all 3 of those pieces glued and secured, you can nail on the trim piece (3/4” square dowel) to the front of the unit using 1 1/4” finish nails and glue. It will sit just under the 1x3.
 

Fill any Screw Holes or nail holes with wood filler, Sand and Finish as Desired!

If you enjoyed this post, comment below, Share it or Like it, and head over to my site to see what else I may be working on! I promise it will be fun!
If you have any questions, please visit my site and comment on any of the existing plans or send me an email at rayanturner@gmail.com with any questions you may have!

**Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Plans from this page are not to be used for commercial purposes or republished without the express written consent of Rayan Turner, The Design Confidential I hope to provide accurate plans, however, I cannot guarantee each plan for accuracy. Not every plan that I post has been built and tested, so you are building at your own risk. It is recommended that you have a clear understanding of how the project works before beginning any project. Please contact me if you find an error or inaccuracy so that I might fix it.




Thanks Rayan!  Too bad I’m not in need of a bookshelf!  Make sure you hop over to see Rayan’s other plans and ideas.

gail
ps  There was a post this morning, so if you missed it, scroll down.
pps Today  is the last day to take advantage of the Silhouette April Bundle with the Rhinestone starter kit. Use the code REPURPOSED.  All rhinestone products are 30% off, no code needed.