Do It Yourself Bookcase Project

Measure the height you have for your bookcase and then measure the width you have for your bookcase. Make a determination on how tall and long you want the bookcase.

Cut two pieces of 1-inch-thick-by-12-inch-wide pine boards to length. Cut two of the same pine boards 2 inches shorter than the width you want your bookcase to be. This accounts for the thickness of the sides. Cut one shelf for every 12 inches of bookshelf height.

Place the sides on their wide sides and butt the edges together. Measure up 12 inches from the bottom, and scribe a line across both faces. Measure up one more inch and scribe a second line. The space between the two lines is where you will drill mounting holes and install the shelf. Repeat this every 12 inches as you work your way up the sides of the bookcase.

Drill four evenly spaced holes in every 1-inch gap you scribed on each side with a 1/4-inch drill bit.

Place the sides on their 1-inch edges and then place the shelves between the 1-inch gaps. Drive 1/4-inch-diameter-by-2-inch long wood screws through the sides and into the shelves.

Stain or paint the shelves and sides. With pine, you can use just about any stain to create the effect of different hardwoods. You can also choose a solid color and go with paint. Let the stain or paint fully dry before you move on.

Place the bookcase against the wall and secure an L bracket to each of the top corners on the top shelf so the brackets rest against the wall. Secure the other end of the brackets to the wall with wall anchors.