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How To Build Adjustable Built-In Bookshelves for Shoe Storage

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, on purchases made after following an affiliate link. See my full disclosure here.

January 28, 2014 By Jackie

Editor’s Note: Today I want to welcome Kayla & Justin from Home Coming.  He’s a carpenter by trade and she has impeccable style.  I have asked them to write a series called “Carpenter’s Secrets” and this first post is full of great tips!  When I saw the pictures of the finished project my jaw-dropped, and then I  awkwardly and half-jokingly asked Kayla when I could come over to borrow her shoes.  Turns out we wear the same size and she is local…so tempting.  But, maybe borrowing Justin to build some built ins for my shoe collection would be even better!

Hello new Teal & Lime friends! We’re so happy to be here as part of the new contributor team. We’re a husband and wife duo currently remodeling our house in Minneapolis. We’re wrapping up a few projects in our newly renovated master bedroom and today’s project is part of our home’s transformation.

How to Build an Adjustable Bookshelf for your Shoes!!! by Home Coming for tealandlime.com
Our new bedroom layout has this wonderful little corner nook with two windows that seemed the perfect fit for a built-in. So our latest project is building a built-in bookshelf in that corner, which I (Kayla) will likely use as more of a shoe shelf, because I LOVE my shoes. 

We’re going to give you a few tips and tricks, as well as a general overview of how to build a built-in bookshelf (or shoe shelf!) with adjustable shelves. If you want an excellent and in-depth tutorial, we’d recommend this tutorial from The DIY network.

Carpenter’s Tip #1:

Build yourself to save money!  There are a lot of Ikea Hack “built in” bookshelves out there that look great and take minimal work to build, but they typically cost around $250+. While building yourself does take more time (it took us around 25 hours), it only cost $120!

Skip the Ikea Hacks and build your own built-in bookshelf for $120 | Home Coming for tealandlime.com

We chose to use 3/4″ MDF for the side panels of the bookcase because it was a cheaper option than wood. It’s still good quality and pretty easy to work with.  Measuring the space, Justin built the frame of the bookcase. Our sides were 11-1/4″ x 95″

How to Build a Built-In Bookshelf | Home Coming for tealandlime.com
Next step is to glue and nail the top or bottom of the bookcase frame with the sides using wood glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails. These nails are to hold the pieces together until you put the actual screws in place.

Carpenter’s Tip #2:

Building the frame of a bookshelf isn’t as easy as just screwing the pieces together. To prevent the material from splitting, you need to pre-drill holes using a countersink drill bit (this can be used on a regular drill). Then after the holes have been pre-drilled, screw the pieces together using 2″ coarse thread drywall screws.

How to Build a Built-In Bookshelf | Home Coming for tealandlime.com
Next step is putting the face frame on the bookshelf. For this we used select pine which we got from Home Depot. We secured this into place using wood glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails – but no screws!

How to Build a Built-In Bookshelf | Home Coming for tealandlime.com
Next, it’s time to go around and fill in all of the nail & screw holes.

Carpenter’s Tip #3:

Instead of using wood filler, use Bondo body filler + cream hardener. This is a little trade secret because it fills the holes and gaps nicely and does not shrink or crack like wood filler does. But move quickly, because this stuff dries fast!

How to Build a Built-In Bookshelf | Home Coming for tealandlime.com

How to Build a Built-In Bookshelf | Home Coming for tealandlime.com

How to Build a Built-In Bookshelf | Home Coming for tealandlime.com

While we let the Bondo filler dry, we went onto building the shelves using MDF for the shelves and select pine for the facing on the front edge of the shelf. Secure the pieces using wood glue, then nail together using 2″ finish nails (and your finish nailer). Then apply the Bondo + Cream mixed filler, just like you did on the frame’s facing, and let dry.

How to Build a Built-In Bookshelf | Home Coming for tealandlime.com

After the filler has dried, sand with 100 grit sandpaper using your orbital sander.

How to Build a Built-In Bookshelf | Home Coming for tealandlime.com

After sanding we put on two coats of white primer using our paint sprayer. Rolling the paint on with a smooth roller would work fine too.

The next step is drilling all the little holes in the sides of the bookcase, so the shelves are adjustable. Since Justin knew I wanted this bookcase for my shoes, we wanted adjustable shelves to fit anything from my flats to my boots.

Carpenter’s Tip #4:

To easily achieve perfectly spaced holes, Justin made a “guide” using a spare piece of plywood, measuring out the exact spacing for each hole at 1 inch. He was then able to tape the guide to the bookshelf (2 inches in from the front edge) and put in all the holes very quickly using an Adjustable Shelf Bit for his drill which we found at Rockler (Home Depot did not carry this bit).

How to Build a Built-In Bookshelf | Home Coming for tealandlime.com
Next up is attaching the back of the shelf. Because our Home Depot didn’t carry 1/4″ MDF, we used 1/4″ plywood for the back of our bookcase. the MDF is a little better because it doesn’t warp, but because this will be pretty well secured (using a staple gun), we weren’t too concerned.

Carpenter’s Tip #5:

For the true “built-in” look, it looks best to have a back on your bookshelf vs. leaving it open to the wall. Having a back on your bookshelf also helps to hold everything together and makes a sturdier piece.

How to Build a Built-In Bookshelf | Home Coming for tealandlime.com

Last but not least, it was time to put the bookcase in place and secure it to the wall. We put three 3″ screws along the top of the piece into wall studs.  We inserted shelf pins (available at any home improvement store) and set the shelves on top of the pins.

How to Build a Built-In Bookshelf | Home Coming for tealandlime.com

Carpenter’s Tip #6:

To make the piece look like it was a part of the original house, add baseboard to the bottom of your shelf (matching the room) and add crown molding to the top to give it a more finished look.

How to Build a Built-In Bookshelf | Home Coming for tealandlime.com
And here’s our almost final product!!

Shoe storage never looked so good - a Carpenter teaches us how to build these adjustable built-in shelves for $120 | Home Coming for tealandlime.com

Shoe storage never looked so good - a Carpenter teaches us how to build these adjustable built-in shelves for $120 | Home Coming for tealandlime.com

We absolutely love how it looks and can’t WAIT until our remodel is done so we can actually use it. We’ve got one more coat of paint to put on it, but we’re waiting until the remodel is done so it doesn’t get all dirty in the meantime.

If you want to know more about us, follow along on our home remodel or see the DIY projects we’re working on, swing by Home Coming for a visit!

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Comments

  1. Megan @ Rappsody in Rooms says

    January 28, 2014 at 7:55 am

    Wow! You two are very talented! These shelves look amazing and you made it seem so simple with your great tutorial. I am definitely with Jackie in wanting to borrow your shoes! :)

    • Kayla says

      January 28, 2014 at 8:43 am

      Thanks so much, Megan! We’re really happy with how it turned out – and am happy to borrow you my shoes anytime. Ha. :)

  2. Jennifer @ Brave New Home says

    January 28, 2014 at 9:59 am

    Looks amazing! I love all the carpenter tips—thanks so much for sharing those : ]

  3. Michelle Schahn says

    January 28, 2014 at 10:41 am

    I love it! Great job (and lovely shoes!!).

  4. Alexis @ Persia Lou says

    January 28, 2014 at 11:18 am

    This is so gorgeous!

  5. Annie says

    January 28, 2014 at 1:57 pm

    Wow! Looks amazing!

  6. Amy says

    January 29, 2014 at 12:43 pm

    It’s beautiful, and thanks for the great tips! I’m laughing picturing my shoe collection on those shelves- a bunch of dirty old sneakers, a pair of rain boots, and some flip flops! Ha! Yours looks much better!

    • Kayla says

      January 29, 2014 at 7:48 pm

      Oh, I have plenty of dirty old sneakers too. Ha. I actually wear them so often that they never even make it to a shoe shelf – they stick around by the front door.

  7. [email protected] says

    January 29, 2014 at 5:42 pm

    This dynamic duo are amazing – I love following their blog!

    • Kayla says

      January 29, 2014 at 7:47 pm

      Aw, you’re so sweet!!

  8. Kayla says

    January 29, 2014 at 7:49 pm

    Thanks to everyone for the kind words! We’re so happy you love it!

  9. Heather {Woods of Bell Trees} says

    February 14, 2014 at 6:05 am

    I will take one of each pair! Hehe. The shelves are absolutely awesome!

  10. Kevin says

    July 28, 2014 at 11:04 pm

    Great Job! I have a few questions. Did you build a few permanent shelves? Did you get different size MDF for the frame and for the shelf? Looks like your shelf width is smaller than the frame? Thanks!

  11. Storage St Helier Ltd. says

    January 23, 2015 at 8:50 am

    The shoe storage is fascinating! You did amazing job! Thumbs up!

  12. Katelyn says

    April 15, 2015 at 11:24 am

    I was wondering what material you used for your shelves. We are in the process of building a built-in unit in our living room and love the idea of adjustable shelving. What type of shelf pins do you use as well?
    Thanks in advance. Love the finished product. I wish I had space for shoes like this!

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