How to Make a Cool Bookcase for a Bedroom

Build the two side columns of the bookcase. Cut four 7 1/4-by-62-inch medium-density fiberboard, or MDF, pieces to create the sides of the columns. Cut two 12-by-62-inch pieces to create the fronts of the columns. Use wood glue to secure the pieces together, then predrill holes every 10 inches and add MDF screws.

Cut two 4-by-10 3/4-inch MDF pieces to create the fronts of the side shelves. Cut four 4-by-12-inch pieces to create the sides of the side shelves. Cut two 11 3/8-by-10 3/4-inch pieces to create the tops of the side shelves. Assemble the shelves with wood glue. Screw the shelves to the columns so that they are level with the top of the mattress, creating two little bedside table shelves.

Build the upper shelf unit. Cut two 7 7/8-by-85-inch MDF pieces to create the tops and bases of the unit. Cut two 7 7/8-by-18-inch pieces to create the ends of the unit. Cut two 7 7/8-by-16 3/4-inch pieces to create the shelf dividers. Using a framing square, attach the shelf dividers and ends to the two long pieces with wood glue and screws.

Attach the top shelf unit to the two side columns with L-shaped brackets. Stand the bookcase headboard where it will be positioned on the wall behind the bed, and use a pencil to mark the edges of the column on the wall. Set the bookcase to one side.

Cut four 1-by-4-by-10 3/4-inch pine pieces to create wall cleats. A cleat system is a way of securely attaching cabinets to the wall without the need to drill lots of holes into the wall. Attach the four cleats to the wall, two per column, 5/8-inch in from your pencil marks. Attach the bookcase headboard to the cleats, securing it to the wall.

Create the valance to contain the lights. Cut one 7 1/4-by-58-inch MDF piece to create the base of the valance. Cut one 4-by-58-inch MDF piece to create the front of the valance. Attach the two pieces together using wood glue.

Drill holes in the base of the valance for the lights and wires. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to install the lights. Using MDF screws, attach the valance to the underside of the top shelving unit, in between the two side columns.

Fill screw holes with wood putty, sand the entire bookcase headboard with a medium-grain sandpaper, then paint.