How to Build Bookshelves With Doors Around a Fireplace

Building the Side Bookshelves

• 1

  Measure the height and width of the fireplace, using a tape measure. Add 21 inches to the width measurement to find the width of the bookshelf fireplace surround. Add 15 1/2 inches to the height measurement to find the height of the surround. Note all four measurements on a sheet of paper.

• 2

  Cut two sheets of 3/4-inch-thick plywood 6 inches long and 7 inches wide, using a circular saw. Cut two sheets of 3/4-inch plywood 7 inches wide and as long as the height of the fireplace plus 3 inches. Cut two sheets of 3/4-inch plywood 7 1/2 inches wide and as long as the height of the fireplace plus 3 inches.

• 3

  Screw the 6-inch-long pieces of plywood to the ends of one of the height-long pieces of plywood using two countersunk 2-inch-long screws so the 6-inch-long pieces stand at 90 degrees to the height-long sheet. The 7-inch-wide edges of each sheet should be flush with each other.

• 4

  Screw the other height-long sheet to the other end of both 6-inch-long sheets to form a rectangle 7 1/2 inches wide and as long as the fireplace height plus 3 inches. Screw one of the remaining sheets to one face of the rectangle using countersunk 1-inch screws, to form the back of the bookshelf.

• 5

  Divide the height of the bookcase frame by 12 to find the number of shelves that can fit. Cut this number of sheets of 3/4-inch plywood 6 inches long and 7 inches wide. Screw one sheet into the the frame every 11 inches along the length of the cabinet frames, using three countersunk 2-inch-long screws per side.

• 6

  Screw two cabinet hinges onto one bookcase-long side of the remaining plywood sheet. Screw the other wings of the hinges to the left side of the cabinet frame. Screw a cabinet door handle to the opposite side of the door to complete the bookcase. Repeat this entire process to build a bookcase for the other side of the fireplace.

Building the Top Bookshelves

• 7

  Cut three sheets of 3/4-inch plywood 7 inches long and 7 inches wide using a circular saw. Cut two sheets of 3/4-inch plywood 7 inches wide and as long as half the width of the fireplace plus 10 1/2 inches. Cut two sheets of 3/4-inch plywood 12 1/2 inches wide and as long as half the width of the fireplace plus 10 1/2 inches. Cut one of these sheets in half along the half-fireplace-width edge.

• 8

  Screw two of the 7-inch square pieces to the 7-inch-long edges of one of the half-fireplace-width sheets using three countersunk 2-inch screws per joint. Screw the remaining 7-inch pieces in the middle of the half-fireplace-width sheet using three countersunk 2-inch screws to form an “E” shape. Screw the other half-fireplace-width sheet to the other end of the 7-inch squares using three countersunk 2-inch screws.

• 9

  Screw the 12 1/2-inch by half-fireplace-width sheet to one face of the cabinet frame using 1-inch screws, to form the bookcase. Screw two hinges to one 12 1/2-inch long edge of the remaining plywood sheets. Screw the other wings of the hinges to the left and right sides of the cabinet frame, to form the doors. Screw door handles to the opposite edges of the sheets to the hinges. Repeat to form a second cabinet.

Assembling the Fireplace Surround

• 10

  Varnish each of the four bookcases using heatproof varnish and a paintbrush. Wait 24 hours for the varnish to sink into the wood and dry thoroughly. Stand the fireplace-height bookcases on the left and right sides of the fireplace. Leave a 3-inch gap between the sides of the fireplace opening and the edge of the bookcases.

• 11

  Drill through the back of the bookcases and into the wall in each corner of the bookcases using a hammer drill. Drill an additional hole through the back of the bookcase in the middle of each side. Plug the holes in the wall with wall plugs. Screw the bookcases to the wall using countersunk 3-inch screws.

• 12

  Stand the two half-fireplace-width bookcases on top of the side bookcases. Support the bookcases where they touch in the middle of the fireplace using a length of plywood sheeting or a tall stool, to prevent the bookcases falling down. Drill through the back of the bookcases in each corner and in the middle of each side. Plug the holes in the wall with wall plugs. Screw the bookcases to the wall with 3-inch screws.