If you don’t have a carpenter on speed dial or the $$$$ for a custom built-in bookcase(s), a DIY project of the customizing prefabricated bookcases kind is the way to go.
House & Garden Magazine – Photography by Michael Sinclair
Basic meet-your-needs bookcases can be transformed into anything but a basic custom piece on a weekend.
Storage is a universal need from office to home and beyond, and a stylish bookcase or bookcases meets that need and masters the built-in look.
Beth Donner Design – Photography by Elizabeth Leidel
Billy Bookcase Comb w Extension Units, Black Oak Effect, 78¾” x 11 x 93¼”
It appears the search for a white prefab bookcase is not a daunting hunt- they’re everywhere and quite affordable.
At almost 6′ feet tall and an affordable price point, this particular style bookcase is an inexpensive, no frills(yet) great foundation to build upon.
South Shore Furniture Freeport Pure White 5-Shelf Bookcase
With the addition of molding and pre- primed embellishments to the top, base, and sides the unit will set the designer wheels in motion.
It’s amazing how decorative molding, trim, and accents upgrade the bookcase to custom status.
Domino Magazine- Drew Michael Scott – Photography by Lone Fox Home
Drew Michael Scott of Lone Fox Home took this DIY bookcase project to custom and curated.
Wood Half Circle Flexible Multi-Purpose Siding Panel
Using a jigsaw, he first cut out 12-inch circles of plywood before cutting them in half.
Next, he mounted the semicircles to the sides of the bookcase using L-brackets, finishing by enclosing the semicircles in pole-wrap using wood glue and a brad nailer.
Lastly, he added the remaining pole wrap to the backing of the bookcase creating the backside slatted finish.
Anchoring the bookcase(s) to the wall with “L” brackets keeps the bookcases(s) solidly in place while preventing the piece from tipping over.
When using more than one unit, screw the pieces together before adding the accents.
Decorative molding will have to be cut as it is usually sold in 8 ft lengths.
Measure the selected area of the bookcase where the molding will be placed.
Keep things as simple as you can by marking the area on the molding to be cut with a pencil.
Carefully make the cuts on the molding using a miter saw.
Sand each finished cut with sand paper to smooth edges.
For Top Crown:
Nail the crown molding into place at the top and sides of the unit.
Fill the gaps with caulk and allow to dry for approximately 30 minutes before paint application.
For Side Trim and Accents:
Apply small beads of Liquid Nails Paneling and Molding Construction Adhesive to the molding or accents and put in place. Apply pressure for a few minutes to ensure tight adhering.
Once the shelves are in their desired positions, consider covering all or some of the exposed peg holes and any other exposed screw holes.
Using a putty knife, apply Bondo Home Solutions All-Purpose Putty over each hole to fill and cover.
Smooth away excess with putty knife.
Allow to dry (approximately 45 minutes) and sand the area smooth.
All needed materials for this step are available at home improvement, hardware, and big box stores.
Now we’re ready to take things to the next phase of decorative wow factor.
Stay tuned for more ideas, suggestions, and resource information.
