Custom-made built-in bookcases give this tranquil home library a classic look.
The project
My wife asked me to build her a private library room for her 40th birthday. I think I nailed the brief.
I don’t use fancy computer systems to draw up anything I build. I find it easy to just draw it with a pencil on paper.
I always work out a cut list to work from to purchase the correct amount of materials and minimise wastage.
I used a Ryobi table saw purchased from Bunnings a few years ago to cut the 2400mm x 1200mm x 18mm sheets of plywood. It was a bit tricky to manoeuvre the sheets on it, but it did the job.
I also purchased a Ryobi slide mitre saw so that it could cut the full depth of the shelves. It is easier to cut them on the mitre saw than trying to do it on the table saw.
The carcasses of the shelves were built first and the V-grooved back sheets were pre-cut square so I could use them to square up the carcasses when fixing them on.
I put in a 50mm x 18mm rail at the top to use for fixing them to the wall when installing. I drilled straight through the rail and into the brick with a masonry drill bit and knocked in the wall plug.
Once all the units were screwed in I used Design Pine on the front edges to cover the cut plywood. It was easy to PVA glue and nail it on once cut to size.
The skirting is Colonial 130mm pre-primed MDF. The crown mould (cornice) is Colonial Pine.
All the cupboards were primed with simple water-based Dulux wood primer and finished with Dulux Licorice Green. They were painted once installed.
I purchased a Ryobi thicknesser from Bunnings to machine down the slabs of Blackbutt that I used on the benchtop and window sill.
To minimise machining time the slabs were cut to approximate size beforehand. I used rub-on polyurethane to seal the timber.
Doors for the one of the units are yet to be ordered, as are as some picture lights and a library ladder.
Before and after
How to build a bookcase
It's easy to build a simple bookcase. See how in our step-by-step video guide.
More project inspiration
Bunnings Workshop member Cardaw used five Montgomery bookcases to make this huge built-in bookcase unit.
Bunnings Workshop member Benskimo custom-made this brilliant mid-century modern shelving unit to fit a tricky space.
Workshop member Wooshka made these clever floating Acacia shelves on a Jarrah beam.
There are also plenty of great ideas in our Top 10 most popular indoor furniture projects and Top 10 most popular storage projects.
Let us know if you need a hand with your project – we're here to help.
