How to Build Bookshelves and a Desk in My Daughter's Room

Bookshelf Cabinets

• 1

  Place five plywood sheets down on a table or the floor. Grab the pencil and measuring tape. Draw two rectangles measuring 23 by 28 inches for the bookshelf side panels. Draw two additional panels measuring 23 by 14 inches. Lastly, draw one back panel measuring 28 by 15 inches.

• 2

  Turn on the table saw and cut these five plywood pieces out for a single bookshelf cabinet. Turn off the saw when done. Sand the sides to remove splinters, so your daughter does not end up hurting herself on the bookshelf and desk unit.

• 3

  Take three side panels and place them in a rectangular shape, so the side panels overlap the bottom piece’s ends. The second end panel must be pushed down in the U-shape between the side panels to create a shelf. You decide the height of the shelves depending on your daughter’s needs. Use the cabinet clamp to hold the frame structure in place.

• 4

  Hammer nails into the side pieces to secure the frame structure. Place the level on the frame as you are constructing it to ensure it is even and straight. Place the back panel up to the bookshelf’s frame and attach it to the frame using hammer and nails, so the nails go through the back panel to the bookshelf’s frame. Repeat steps one to four to build an identical bookshelf cabinet for the desk and bookshelf unit.

Building the Desk

• 5

  Use the measuring tape, pencil and the last piece of plywood to create the desk's top, measuring 60 by 23 inches. Cut out the desk’s top on the table saw and sand the edges.

• 6

  Place the two bookshelf cabinets about 30 inches apart and lay the desk top on top of the bookshelf cabinets. Adjust the bookshelves so the sides of the cabinets line up with the countertop. Hammer nails down into the desk’s surface to connect the desk to the bookshelf cabinets. Sand the nail heads so they do not stick out.

• 7

  Paint the entire bookshelf and desk unit in your daughter’s favorite color. Create painted designs with stars, butterflies, flowers and hearts, if desired.