How to Build a Corner Built-In Shelving Unit

Measure the space where you intend to install your corner shelving unit with a measuring tape. Take the height from the floor to the ceiling and measure along the wall from the corner to determine how long the sides of your shelving unit will be. Measure diagonally from one wall to the other, holding the measuring tape where the side walls end, to determine the width of the unit's front.

Draw up a sketch of your shelving unit and write in the measurements you just took. Your shelving unit will consist of two flat sides that meet at a 90-degree angle in the corner and a flat front. The shelves of the unit will be triangular in shape.

Cut the two side panels from 1/2-inch plywood using a circular saw. Use the height measurement of the shelving unit and the desired length of the side walls as the dimensions for these two panels. Trim a 1/2 inch from the longest side of one of the panels to accommodate the width of the other panel when you attach them to each other.

Use the circular saw to cut two triangular panels out of 1/2-inch plywood to serve as the top and bottom panels for your shelving unit. Cut these panels using the width of the unit's flat front as the base of the triangle and the length of the side walls for the two sides of the triangle.

Stand the two side panels upright on one of their two short, narrow edges. Slide the long edge of the panel you trimmed a 1/2-inch against the side of the other panel so they form a 90-degree angle and align the outside edges.

Apply a bead of wood glue to the joint. Secure the two panels by driving nails from a nail gun through the untrimmed side panel into the thickness of the panel butted up against it. Lay this frame on its side on the ground to make the rest of the construction process easier.

Slide the triangular top panel flat into the corner formed by the two side panels at the top of the frame. Align the upper edges and position the panel so the base of the triangle extends diagonally from the edge of one side panel to the edge of the other. Apply a bead of wood glue to the joints and attach it by driving nails through the top panel into the side panels.

Insert the bottom panel into the corner formed by the side panels near the bottom of the frame. Position the bottom panel so the bottom edge of the panel is aligned with the bottom edges of the side panels. Secure the panel in place with wood glue and nails, following the same procedure you used for the top panel.

Cut the shelves for your unit to the same dimensions you used to cut the top and bottom panels. Refer to your sketch to determine how many shelves you need. Measure and mark the position of the shelves on the side panels of the unit frame in pencil.

Install the additional shelves following the same procedure you used to install the top and bottom panels. Slide the shelves into place and attach them using wood glue and nails from the nail gun.

Paint or stain your completed shelving unit frame to match the existing decor scheme in your room. Allow the paint or stain to dry completely before moving on.

Use a stud finder to locate the studs in the wall where you intend to install the shelving unit. Mark the position of the studs lightly on the wall in pencil.

Stand the shelving unit upright so the bottom panel lays flat on the floor. Move the unit into the desired position where you intend to install it. Push it all the way back into the corner so the side panels sit flush against the adjacent walls.

Attach the shelving unit to the wall by driving 2-inch wood screws through the back panel into the wall studs.