VIDEO: Build your own bookshelves
You don't know where to put your books and all your bookshelves are full? With a little manual skill, you can build your bookshelves yourself in the future.
Planning new bookshelves
- Think about how many shelves you will need. About 40 normal books fit on 1 meter of shelf.
- For each shelf you need two boards as side parts and at least three boards as shelves.
- Measure the height of the room in which your bookshelves will be in the future. This dimension is important for the maximum height of the shelves. Please keep in mind, however, that the finished shelf cannot have room height, otherwise you will not be able to erect it once it has been assembled. Therefore subtract at least 30 cm from the measured room height. This determined dimension gives the length of the side parts.
- Now think about how deep the bookshelf you are going to build yourself needs to be. This depends on the size of your books. If you only have normal books, the shelf needs to be less deep than if you also want to store photo books or office files. This dimension is decisive for the width of all boards.
- Now calculate how many shelves you will need. There must be at least three shelves per shelf so that the bookshelf is stable later. The more shelves you use, the more stable the bookshelves will be.
- Now you have all the information you need for shopping. If you do that wood buy for your bookshelves in the hardware store, you have less choice when it comes to the dimensions of the boards, as if you go to a carpenter who can cut all the boards to the dimensions you want; but this is certainly also a question of price.
- In any case, get expert advice on the type of wood and the thickness of the boards and ask about the appropriate length and thickness of the wood screws; everything has to be put together individually and appropriately. Books are heavy and your bookshelf should be sturdy! Definitely buy planed wood. If your wallet allows it, it is best to sand the boards nice and smooth - otherwise you will have to sand the boards yourself before assembling. If you want to paint or glaze the shelf, do that before assembling - it's easier.
Build wooden bookshelves yourself - this is how it works
If you build bookshelves yourself, you can adapt the construction to the spatial ...
Build it yourself - that's how it works
- Place the two side parts exactly next to each other on the floor. Decide where "below" and where "above" will be. Measure approx. 15-20 cm (the so-called "plaster height") and draw a line across both boards. The bottom shelf will be attached here later.
- Take great care that the boards do not slip, measure approx. 30 cm and again draw a line across both sides. This is where the top shelf goes.
- Now measure half the length of the side parts and again draw a straight line for the middle shelf. Please work precisely, otherwise the bookshelf will be crooked.
- Now draw 2 markings for the drill holes on each of the 6 lines, evenly spaced. Make sure that you do not set it too close to the edge but approx. 4-5cm towards the middle of the board. Drill the side parts completely through with the wood drill at the 12 markings.
- Either continue working on the floor or set up a side panel. You absolutely need a helper for both. From the outside, insert the wood screws, and into the four central drill holes on the two side parts carefully screw the middle shelf - first on one side, then on the other - fixed. Make sure you hit the center of the wood so the shelf doesn't splinter. Under no circumstances should the side parts be moved now. Now you screw the lower shelf in place and you already have a little bit of stability. Attach the top shelf and take a deep breath. The worst is done!
- You can now freely plan and measure each additional shelf. Nail the small shelf brackets at the appropriate heights on the inside of the side parts and simply place the shelves on them.
