Make Bookshelves From The Wall To The Ceiling

A floor-to-ceiling bookshelf is the perfect storage solution for avid readers.

Built-in storage solutions are one of the easiest ways to save money on storage in your home. Rather than purchasing expensive pieces of furniture that will only add to the clutter in your home, built-in bookshelves add to the aesthetic appeal of your home while making economical use of space. A floor-to-ceiling bookshelf, for example, takes up very little floor space but provides you with an entire wall of storage on which to arrange your favorite books, photos and knickknacks.

Necessary Preparations

Before you can begin building your floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, you need to determine the desired dimensions and prepare the space. If the wall on which you plan to mount the bookcase has trim, baseboard or molding, you will need to use the curved end of a hammer or pry bar to remove it. Once you have done this, use a measuring tape to take the width, depth and height measurements of the space in which you plan to install the bookshelf. You will use these measurements to purchase the correct amount of wood and to cut your pieces to size.

Cutting the Pieces

Use the measurements of the space to cut two equal-sized pieces of wood for the top and bottom, two for the sides and one large piece for the back of the bookshelf. You may use whatever type of wood you prefer, but 1-inch plywood is often the most cost-effective option. In addition to the top, bottom, side and back panels, you will also need to cut your shelves. Divide the height of the bookcase by the desired height of your shelves to determine how many shelves you can fit and then cut as many shelves as you need.

Framing the Bookshelf

Before you attach anything to the wall, use a stud finder to locate the studs. Install the back panel first by laying it upright, flat against the wall, and drive wood screws through the wood into the wall studs beyond. Once the back panel is securely in place, you can install the side panels, as well as the top and bottom panels, securing them with wood screws to both the back panel and the studs in the wall. Once the basic bookshelf frame is in place, use a measuring tape and mark the sides of the bookcase to designate the position of your shelves.

Finishing the Bookcase

There are many ways in which you can attach the shelves in your bookcase, but one of the simplest is to secure a support block to the back panel directly beneath each shelf. To do so, simply cut a piece of 1-by-1-inch or 2-by-2-inch wood to the width of the bookcase and secure it to the back panel so that the top edge is flush with the markings you made to designate the position of each shelf. Lay the shelves on top of each support block, and use wood screws to secure them to the support block as well as the back and side panels. Once your shelves are in place, you can paint or stain the bookcase as you desire, and you may also attach lengths of decorative trim or molding to the outside to help the built-in fit in with the existing decor scheme in the room.

Tags: back panel, your shelves, support block, wood screws, your home, designate position