How to Make a Hutch Into a Bookcase

Turn an old piece of furniture into something functional and new as a weekend do-it-yourself project. Look for old furniture pieces around your home or at garage sales and local salvage yards. Many furniture pieces have elements that would make them ideal for this type of project. For example, the top of an old hutch would make an ideal bookcase. The shelves that once held china and serving dishes can be converted to use as a reclaimed bookcase. Look for a hutch that has large shelves and ornate details.

Hand saw, flush trim
Sanding block, fine-grit
Tack cloth
Wood finish
Paintbrush
4 Hammer-in furniture feet
Mallet

Instructions

- 1
  Saw off the top, shelved part of the hutch at each side and along the back with a flush trim hand saw. Use the table top on the hutch as a guide to keep the cut straight and even. Lift the shelved part of the hutch from the base and set it on a work surface with the back side down.
- 2
  Sand the entire shelved part of the hutch with a fine-grit sanding block. Pay close attention to the cut edges to make sure that they are completely smooth. Sand with the wood grain.
- 3
  Clean off the sanding dust with a tack cloth. Apply an even coat of wood finish with a paintbrush. Allow the finish to dry and apply a second coat. Wait 24 hours before you handle the "hutch" bookcase.
- 4
  Hammer one hammer-in style furniture foot into each bottom corner edge of the "hutch" bookcase. These will provide a base for the bookcase to rest on without scratching the floor.

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