How to Build Cottage Bookcases

Lay the 1-by-16-by-36-inch boards parallel to each other on a work surface with the 1-by-36-inch sides resting flat. Space the boards 18 inches apart from the outside edges leaving a 16-1/2-inch space between the insides of the boards. Orient the boards vertically. These are the sides of the bookcase.

Place two 1-by-16-by-16 1/2-inch boards between the top and bottom ends of the sides with the 1-by-16 1/2-inch sides resting flat on the work surface to form a rectangular box. These are the top and bottom boards. Position one 1-by-16-by-16 1/2-inch board between the sides 12 inches up from the bottom board. Position the remaining same-size board up 24 inches from the bottom board. These are the shelf boards.

Drive three evenly spaced 2-inch pan head wood screws through the sides into the ends of the top, bottom and shelf boards to secure them in place using a screw gun.

Assemble the 1-by-2-by-34-inch and 1-by-2-by-14 1/2-inch hardwood boards to form a 34-by-16-inch rectangular box. Drive 2-inch pan head wood screws through the 1-by-2-by-34-inch boards into the ends of the 1-by-2-by-14 1/2-inch boards with a screw gun. This is for the base of the bookcase, which will be centered on the bottom of the bottom board. Often called a kick board, it adds a decorative appearance to the bottom of a bookcase. You can omit this if you don't want the added detail.

Center the base assembly for the bookcase on the bottom of the bottom board of the bookcase. The bottom board should extend 1 inch past the assembly on all sides. Drive 2 1/2-inch wood screws through the base assembly into the bottom of the baseboard every 4 to 6 inches to secure it to the bottom board. Use a screw gun.

Brush an even coat of shellac onto the bookcase assembly using a paintbrush. Allow the shellac to dry 24 hours and apply a second coat. Wait 48 hours after the second coat to use the bookcase.