How To Create More Shelving Space – 15 DIY Bookcases
Updated on January 23, 2019
In our house, every single person, right down to the littlest member of the family, is a total book worm. We’re very pleased about and proud of this fact, but it also means that we have a lot of books lying around the house! We’ve been looking for better storage solutions for them lately so, being the crafty people we are, we started looking up DIY bookcases to give ourselves more shelving around the house.
Just in case you’re as interested as we were in the idea of making bookcases of your very own, here are 15 of the best ideas, designs, and tutorials that we’ve come across so far in our search!
1. Black and blonde wood bookcase
Even if you’re not that experienced in building things from wood, this project outlined step by step on OhOh Deco is simple enough that you’ll be able to make it happen! Their tutorial shows you how to use long, thin boards and smaller cut wooden sections to create a multi-level shelf with cubbies of different sizes and lengths. We like their black and natural blonde wood colour scheme a lot, but you could get creative with the shades too!
2. Basic wooden bookshelf
If you’re going to learn how to do a bit of simple wood working, would you rather make something more traditional or try your hand at slightly more skilled techniques? In that case, we think you might get along a little better with something like this classic wooden bookshelf outlined step by step on 5 Minutes for Mom! They even show you how to finish it off with a nice gloss so it shines brand new.
3. Inset wall bookcase
Perhaps you’ve actually got experience with home renovation, so you’re the kind of person that leaps at bigger, more high maintenance projects rather than shying away from them? Well, if reading really is a huge part of your life, we think you’ll admire how Artsy Chicks Rule built shelves for their beloved books right into their wall as a permanent fixture.
4. DIY wood pallet bookshelves
Pallet crafts and projects made from upcycled pallet wood are all the rage right now, and for good reason! We love the way Me and Madeline made several wall mounted book hangers from a singular pallet and hung them up at heights where they kids can reach them. We also like the way these shelves display the books facing forward so little ones who are still learning to read can see the pictures on the cover when they’re looking for a particular book.
5. Burlap backed bookcase
Perhaps you’ve already got a shelf built into the wall (or you’re planning on building one) but you’d also like to customize it a little further than just a coat of white paint, since your home has a slightly rustic feel about it? In that case, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Driven By Decor added so character to their shelf by adding a burlap backing on each shelf!
6. Low bookcase from IKEA pieces
Are you the kind of crafting home decorator who doesn’t mind buying basic furniture pieces from places like IKEA but who nearly always customizes or alters them? Well, whether you’re a fan of doing so or whether this is your first time and you need some guidance, here’s a great tutorial from Blesser House for making a nice, low bookshelf from several different pieces of pre-made shelving that have been painted and rearranged.
7. Bookshelf and toy box combo
Did we really catch your attention with the idea of putting DIY bookshelves in your kids’ room but you’ve also been on the lookout for homemade storage solutions for some of their other things as well? Then perhaps this reclaimed wood bookshelf and toy box combination tutorial outlined in detail on Turtles & Tails will be a little more up your alley!
8. Rustic X bookshelf
Just in case you’re still finding yourself thinking about the idea of making a rustic inspired bookshelf, here’s an idea that looks like it came straight from an old farmhouse even though it’s freshly made! That’s partially thanks to the X-frame shaped braces on the sides, which The House of Wood is here to show you how to make.
9. Two-hour bookshelf
Perhaps you’re bound and determined to make a bookshelf of your very own rather than buying one new but you’re also looking for something that’s rather simple and fairly quick to do? Well, we can’t say we blame you; sometimes we need an easier and more time efficient project as well! That’s why this two-hour DIY shelf from Addicted 2 Decorating caught our attention so well.
10. Wooden ladder style bookshelf
Are you actually looking for something a little more unconventionally shapes because you like to keep your space quite modern looking? In that case, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Ana White made this fantastic ladder shaped shelf, with spaces to set books and things on thanks to boards laid across each rung.
11. Wooden love bookshelf
Ladders and A-frame shelves aren’t the only kind of modern looking, angular piece you can make! We’re huge fans of the way Crafting It Myself made a bookshelf that is surprisingly simple in its construction but also spells out the word “LOVE”, making it the perfect function and decor piece in a family home.
12. Wooden tree bookshelf
Are you a huge fan of the uniquely shaped idea we just showed you above but you’re actually looking for a shelf that’s a little bigger, with more space for as many books as possible? Then we think perhaps you’ll get along a little better with something like this homemade tree shaped bookshelf instead! Get the full details for making one of your own on Instructables.
13. Wall mounted bedside bookshelf
Just in case you’re still thinking about the wall mounted pallet idea we showed you earlier because you like its construction but you think you’d need something a little bigger and wider than what the average pallet allows, here’s a great alternative for your consideration. Shades of Blue Interiors shows you how to make a similarly shaped and mounted shelf, but this time from scratch and with wider dimensions!
14. Skateboard bookshelf
Are you actually still looking for something a little more unconventional and kitschy than what you’ve seen so far? Well, if you or your kids have ever been big fans of extreme sports, then we think perhaps this multi-level skateboard shelf, which is actually made from real skateboards, might be just the project for you! Find out how it’s done on Instructables.
15. Rotating bookcase
Are you actually still looking for something that’s a bit more of a challenge but you’d prefer it to be a standalone piece that you can move around, rather than building it right into your home? Then we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Canadian Home Workshop made this awesome rotating shelf that’s great for books, decor pieces, and all kinds of other things!
Do you know a fellow DIY enthusiast who has been thinking about how much they’d like to make their own bookshelf lately but who also feels like they could use a little bit of help? Share this post with them so they have all kinds of inspiration and resources to help them along their way!