How to Make a Boy's Bedroom Bookcase

Measure the width you have available in the room for the bookcase and then measure the available height. Keep in mind the height and how high your boys can reach. It is okay to make a bookcase that has shelves they cannot reach for when they get older, but if your boys like to climb, you may choose to make the bookcase just high enough for him to reach.

Cut two pieces of 1-inch-thick-by-10-inch-wide hardwood boards to the correct height with a miter saw.

Divide the total height of the bookcase by 12 inches to determine how many shelves you need to cut. Cut a shelf out of the same wood you used for the vertical supports. Cut each shelf 2 inches shorter than the desired width of the bookcase. This accounts for the thickness of the vertical supports.

Place the vertical supports side by side so you can see both 10-inch faces. Measure up from the bottom of the supports 12 inches and scribe a line across both faces. Measure up 1 inch from the first line and scribe a second line. Repeat this for each shelf you plan to install. The 1-inch gap is where you will position the shelves.

Drill four equally spaced holes across the face of each board between each 1-inch gap with a 1/4-inch drill bit.

Flip the vertical supports over and drill a hole 1/4-inch deep over each pilot hole with a 1/2-inch diameter drill bit. This creates a countersunk hole that you can plug with the dowel plugs.

Place the vertical supports on their 1-inch sides with the 1/2-inch holes facing away from each other. Place the shelves between the lines scribed on the face of the boards. Position each shelf between the 1-inch gaps you drew.

Drive the 2-inch-long wood screws through the vertical supports and into the shelves.

Apply a drop of wood glue into each countersink hole and then press the wooden dowel plugs into the holes.

Paint or stain the bookcase with the color scheme that complements the room. Wait for the paint or stain to dry before you move to the next step.

Place the bookcase against the wall. Place an L-bracket on the top shelf in each corner. Mark the mounting locations for the L-bracket onto the shelf and the wall.

Drill a 1/4-inch hole through each mounting location on the shelf and then secure the L-bracket with 1/4-inch bolts and 1/4-inch nuts. You need a wrench set to tighten the bolts.

Drill holes into the wall large enough for wall anchors, and drive the anchors into the wall with a hammer. Secure the L-brackets to the wall with the screws supplied with the anchors and the screwdriver.