How to Build Bookshelves With Different Size Shelves

Cut 2 pieces of 1-inch thick by 10-inch wide hardwood boards to a length of 8-feet long with a table saw. These boards are your vertical support boards.

Measure from the bottom of each vertical support up 60 inches and scribe a line across the wide face of each board.

Measure in from the side of the board 5 inches and then scribe a vertical line from the line you scribed across the face of the board to the top of the board.

Cut out the 5-inch section on each vertical support with the table saw. This means that the bottom 60 inches of the vertical supports measure 10 inches wide and the top 36 inches measure 5 inches wide. This gives you five 10-inch shelves at the bottom and three 5-inch shelves at the top.

Measure the width of the wall where you plan to install the shelf and select a width you want to make the bookcase. Subtract 2 inches to accommodate the width of the vertical supports. Cut eight shelves to that width out of 1-inch thick by 10-inch wide hardwood.

Place both vertical supports side-by-side with the wide faces showing and the fill 60-inch sides butted together.

Measure up from the bottom 12 inches and scribe a line across both faces. Measure up an additional 1 inch and scribe a second line. The space between the two lines shows you where you will install the first shelf. Do this with each of the eight shelves as you work your way up the vertical supports.

Drill three evenly spaced 1/4-inch holes through the face of each of the vertical supports that position between each of the 1-inch gaps you scribed on the board. When you get to the 5-inch wide shelves, install two evenly spaced 1/4-inch holes.

Place the vertical supports on their 1-inch sides with the full 8-foot length portion of the supports resting on the floor or workbench.

Slide the shelves in place and then secure them by driving 2-inch long 1/4-inch diameter wood screws though the holes in the vertical support and into the shelves.

Apply a wood stain or a semi-gloss paint to the wood and wait for it to dry.

Attach L-brackets to the top shelf of the bookcase in each corner with 1/4-inch bolts and nuts.

Place the bookcase against the wall and mark out the mounting holes on the L-brackets onto the walls. Drill pilot holes and install wall anchors. Secure the bookcase to the wall with the screws supplied with the wall anchors.