How to Build a Built-In Bookshelf Around a Window

Locate structural framing in the wall with a stud finder. Your built-in bookshelves around the window need to be screwed into studs to be sturdy. Mark the studs with a pencil.

Measure the height and width where you want your installation to go on either side of the window. For a visually appealing final product, build the bookshelves 1 inch shorter than ceiling height.

Remove the baseboards where the shelves will go with a pry bar. If the strip of baseboard is longer than the shelf installation on both sides of the window, trim the baseboard first with a reciprocating saw. Don’t damage the baseboards. Later you can install them on the front of the bookshelves for a more built-in look.

Measure and cut four panels of 1-inch by 12-inch lumber with a circular saw to act as side panels for each bookshelf on either side of the window. Measure and cut the number of shelves you want along with eight 2-inch by 2-inch panels of lumber, which will act as frame supports, 1 1/2 inches shorter than the total width of the bookshelves.

Drill 3/8-inch-deep holes into the inside of each side panel with a 1/4-inch drill bit. Use a depth-stop bit attachment to prevent drilling too far through the wood. When fitted with shelf pins, these holes allow you to change the height of the shelves.

Space the holes 9 inches apart horizontally and drill them every 2 inches vertically. Use a piece of pegboard as a guide for drilling.

Apply wood paint or finish to every piece of wood. Allow all pieces time to dry before assembling.

Hammer the ends of four 2-inch-by-2-inch frame supports to the four corners of one bookshelf side panel using 6d finish nails. Attach a second bookshelf side panel to the other end of the frame supports to create the first bookshelf frame. Repeat with the remaining pieces to create the second bookshelf frame.

Tilt one bookshelf frame up against the wall. Drill through the top rear frame support and into each available wall stud with 3-inch wallboard screws. Drill through the bottom rear frame support in the same way to fully attach the bookshelf to the wall. Repeat with the other bookshelf frame on the opposite side of the window.

Hammer one of the shelves into the bottom frame supports of both bookshelves with 6d finish nails to create a clean base.

Replace the baseboards you removed from the wall on the front the shelving units with a nail gun. If the room has crown molding, buy precut crown caps to the run along the top of the bookshelves for a solid, built-in look.

Install shelf pins at the heights you desire and fit the shelves in place. Fill the shelves with books or anything else you want on display.