1. If books are overflowing from your desktop, stacked around your living room or stuffed into plastic milk crates, it may be time for a bookshelf. Add 3 inches to both measurements. Here are 25 DIY bookcase makeovers you need to see. With just a few simple steps and a minimal number of tools, a bookcase can be brought to life and add greatly to the overall warmth of the home decorations. Make It & Love It elevated a short secondhand bookcase visually and literally by adding a set of legs. Decals to the outside of the bookcase. You just have to adjust your shelves where you need them and then add the pull down desktop and a chair and you’re all done. Allow to fully dry. From there, all you’d need to do is add a set of doors. For example, use letter stencils to create a name bookcase for a child’s room or flower stencils for a dining or living room bookcase. Add 3 inches to both measurements. [ Photo and instructions from DIYIdeas.com ] Click here to get the full, print-ready instructions from DIYIdeas.com. How to Build a Ladder Bookcase. 1. We’ve seen the double desk but this one makes just one so you can sit it against the wall to save room. DIY Bookcase Turned Desk - I think this would work well for lego bins and a lego work station if it was a bit wider he could use one side for finished legos Great idea for a space saving desk, with storage. The outside edges of the moulding should correspond to the measurements of the sides, top and bottom of the bookcase. Wipe down your bookshelf before painting or staining as desired. Phrase and themed decals add a bit of personality to a bookshelf. If you need a small library, just add some more shelves to the plan. This upcycled bookcase desk is pretty easy to make and it’s really functional and has loads of storage space. Or, if you’re using an old bookshelf unit or something you picked up, follow these video tutorials on eHow for making bookcase doors and installing hinges. Using a desk and a bookcase, this set up allows for two people to work closely but with some degree of privacy. You can use wooden pallets or plywood to create this tutorial. Placed beside the bed, it does double duty as both a bookshelf and an alternative nightstand. Drill and countersink pilot holes in the side of the bookshelf and attach the shelf with 2" wood screws. 1 Turn the bookcase on its side to expose the bottom. You could also wallpaper the backer board or attach fabric or wainscotting. This kit provides the specialized hinges and other key pieces of hardware needed to build a bookshelf that swings open to reveal a hidden utility or storage area, such as a laundry room or pantry (or even a secret passageway! Whether for additional books, a clock, family pictures or keepsakes, an additional shelf will never go unfilled. Download the PDF after the jump! Your stash of Harlequin Romances should stay your little secret, but that means hiding what is in your bookcase. Adding an additional shelf to a bookcase is among the best ways to expand display options inside a home. How to Build a Built‐In Bookcase. If you decided to use support blocks for the center shelf as well, install it now as you did the bottom shelf. Get creative with your backer board! Create a unique looking bookcase with just about any kind of stencil. How to Build a Ladder Bookcase. Great idea for a space saving desk, with storage. Sand the entire bookshelf with 220-grit sandpaper. If you need a small library, just add some more shelves to the plan. You need new bookshelf ideas, not new bookshelves. Measure the width and length of the bookcase opening where you wish to hang the doors. Adding the Face Frame Start with the horizontal base rail at the bottom of the bookcase. Have you decided to invest in custom built-in bookcases for your home? Maybe with desk … So you want to add a built-in bookshelf to add some unique character and functional charm into any room in your house? Building your own bookshelf is easy. Cut the ends at a 45-degree angle so the sides fit with the top and bottom like a picture frame. A unit with no shelf at the bottom would be nice because it would allow the desk surface to be unobstructed. A full bookcase is a happy bookcase, but sometimes you do not want everyone to see what exactly you are reading. Paint or stain to match the bookshelf, or pick a contrast color for a pop of personality.