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Cubby Bookshelf

December 29, 2009 |
22 Comments
posted by Ana White
PDF versionPDF version
Well, here is my favorite bookshelf in my home. It’s also probably the strongest. This is one heavy duty tough bookshelf. I love this bookshelf because of it’s simple sturdy design, the exposed legs (exposed legs make a room look bigger), and the perfect sizing. I will also be posting the two other sizes, the 2 shelf and the 4 shelf, so check back. Image from Ana White, Knock-Off Wood
Cubby Bookshelf

Additional Photos

Cubby Bookshelf
Cubby Bookshelf

Handmade from this plan >>

Projects built from this plan. Thank you for submitting brag posts, it's appreciated by all!

About Project

Author Notes: 

Dimensions

Dimensions: 
Cubby Bookshelf
Dimensions: 
42 1/2″ High x 42″ Wide x 14″ Deep

Materials and Tools

Shopping List: 
6 – 8′ length 1x2s (I use the $1 pine furing strips, but you could use maple, poplar, MDF, oak and others) 
2 – 8′ length 1x3s (matching the 1x2s above) 
1 – 1/4″ Sheet plywood, mdf, or other backer material 
2″ Nails 
1 1/4″ Nails 
12′ Iron On Edge Banding (About $6 for 25 foot roll, very effective and easy to use)
wood glue
wood filler
120 grit sandpaper
primer
paint
paint brush
Tools: 
measuring tape
square
safety glasses
hearing protection
drill
circular saw
sander

Cut List

Cut List: 
A) 2 – 1×12 @ 38 1/4″ OR 3/4″ MDF or Plywood @ 11 1/2″ x 38 1/4″ (Sides) 
B) 3 – 1×12 @ 37″ OR 3/4″ MDF or Plywood @ 11 1/2″ x 37″ (Shelves) 
C) 4 – 1×2 @ 41 3/4″ (Sides of the Legs) 
D) 4 – 1×3 @ 41 3/4″ (Fronts and Backs of the Legs) 
E) 2 – 1×2 @ 37″ (Inside Top Trim) 
F) 8 – 1×2 @ 35″ (Outside Top Trim and Shelf Trim) 
G) 1 – 1/4″ Plywood @ 38 1/2″ x 40″ (you can use beadboard, 1/2 plywood, paneling, etc) 
H) 8 – 1×2 @ 8 1/2″ (Side Shelf Trim) 
I) 1 – 1×12 @ 42″ and 1×3 @ 42″ OR 3/4″ MDF or Plywood @ 14″ x 42″ (Top)

General Instructions

Cut all your boards. If you are using 3/4″ MDF or 3/4″ Plywood, have Home Depot of Lowes cut the plywood down into 5 – 48″ long strips, 11 1/2″ wide, and then 1 strip, 48″ long and 14″ wide, as shown below. Then cut the pieces to size at home using your miter saw. If Home Depot or Lowes does not do cuts in your area, you will need to cut as shown below. Just remember that the saw blade takes up 1/4″ and you cannot mark all the boards out and cut. You must measure the first board, cut, measure the second, cut, and so forth.

Step 1

Cubby Bookshelf
Please note that you will need 3 shelves and NOT 2 as shown above. Fastening Instructions. Use Glue on all joints. Use 2″ nails unless otherwise directed. You can choose to use 2″ screws to screw the box together, but I recommend using a finish nailer for the frame. Always check for square. Before fastening, mark you boards as shown in the diagrams so you know where the boards line up (especially important when working with wider width boards). I even mark the outside of the board so I know where to nail.

Step 2

Cubby Bookshelf
Build the Box. Start by nailing through the sides, A (green) into the shelves, B (wood), as shown above. Use the measurements in the above diagram to guide you.

Step 3

Cubby Bookshelf
Side Legs. Use the 1 1/4″ nails to nail the sides of the legs, C (Green), to the sides, A, of the bookcase, as shown above. Keep outside edges flush. The legs, C, will over-extend the sides,A, by 3 1/2″.

Step 4

Cubby Bookshelf
Front and Back Legs. In the same manner as the side legs, but with 2″ nails, fasten the front and back legs, D (green), to the side legs, C, shelves, B, and sides A.

Step 5

Cubby Bookshelf
Attach the inner top trim, E, (green) as shown above. You will need to use the 1 1/4″ nails to nail through the 1×3 front legs into board E. Also nail through the side legs into the end edge of E. Do this on both the front and back of the bookshelf, as shown above. Keep the top edges flush.

Step 6

Cubby Bookshelf
Top Outer Trim. Using 2 of the boards F (shown in green above), fasten as shown above. Use glue and 1 1/4″ nails. Keep the top edges flush.

Step 7

Cubby Bookshelf
Trimming out the Shelves. Using the remaining 6 boards F, (shown in green above), trim out the edges of all the shelves. Keep all top edges flush with the shelves. Use the 2″ nails and glue.

Step 8

Cubby Bookshelf
Covering the back. Attach the back plywood, G, as shown above in green. Use the 1 1/4″ nails and glue. Make sure you mark and nail into all the shelves.

Step 9

Cubby Bookshelf
Side Trim Pieces. Using te 1 1/4″ nails, nail the side trim pieces in place as shown above. The measurements shown are from the top to the top of the trim.

Step 10

Cubby Bookshelf
Attach the top as shown above. If you are using plywood or MDF, simply position the plywood so it overextends 1″ on the front and side edges and glue and nail in place. You will also need to add edge banding to finish out the plywood edges if you are using plywood.

Step 11

Cubby Bookshelf
Attaching the planked pine top. If you are using the pine boards, first attach the 1×3 as shown above in green. Keep back edge flush with the back of the 1×2 (not the plywood). Overhang each side 1″. Nail in place. Then add the 1×12 to the front in the same manner.

Step 12

Cubby Bookshelf
Finishing. Fill nail holes with putty. Sand. Attach the edge banding to the plywood if you used 3/4″ plywood for the top. Stain or paint if desired.

May I Suggest a Finish?

Painting White Outdoor Adirondack Projects
Whitewash Stained Finish
Staining and Finishing Tabletops

Bookshelves, Media and Entertainment Centers, Cubby Collection, Bedroom, Craftroom, entry way, Kids and Toys, living room, storage and organization, Beginner, $50 - $100, Children's

22 Comments

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i haven't made this yet, but

i haven't made this yet, but i am SO EXCITED! thanks for the plans.

posted by brett and stacey (not verified) | on Sat, 2010-01-09 11:27

LOVE it!! & just what I need

LOVE it!! & just what I need for my playroom. Is the shopping list what you need for ONE shelf?

posted by west's (not verified) | on Mon, 2010-01-11 14:34

I'm thinking about making

I'm thinking about making this over the weekend and wondering if there is a way to modify it so it includes a set of doors on the bottom...

hmmmm

posted by Maggie (not verified) | on Wed, 2010-01-13 14:43

Thank you for posting this!!!

Thank you for posting this!!! I have tons of books and I think I can do this myself - no help from hubby.

posted by Brown Sugar Babies (not verified) | on Thu, 2010-01-21 13:32

I have not yet built this

I have not yet built this bookshelf, but would love to know if you think I can make it so that there is not a back. That way I can use it as a dividing piece in a very long room?

Cookie

posted by Cookie (not verified) | on Mon, 2010-02-08 14:08

Cookie, on this piece you can

Cookie, on this piece you can skip the back because both the back and front are framed, reinforcing all the joints, and making both the front and back look finished.

Good Luck! Ana

posted by Ana White (not verified) | on Tue, 2010-02-09 10:38

What a fantastic site!! I

What a fantastic site!! I can't believe how much time and effort you put into your brilliant posts. Your creations are gorgeous. I can't wait to share this with my readers. Thanks for all you do!

posted by MeckMom (not verified) | on Thu, 2010-02-11 14:07

Hi Ana,I am printing out

Hi Ana,
I am printing out everything for the bookcase but I am wondering...is the diagram for the plywood/mdf cuts correct? Or is it missing a 37" shelf? Just want to make sure I give Home depot all the right cuts because I dont own a saw!

posted by Anonymous (not verified) | on Tue, 2010-02-16 07:40

It looks correct to me, 3

It looks correct to me, 3 shelves, and then I is the top. I haven't had any comments from other readers about any typos.

posted by Ana White (not verified) | on Tue, 2010-02-16 13:40

Great plans! and wonderful

Great plans! and wonderful instructions! However I think the above commenter was right... the diagram for cutting the sheet goods doesn't look quite right. There are the 2 sides (lime green), the top (purple) but there are only 2 shelves (teal green). Am I also seeing this wrong?

posted by Anonymous (not verified) | on Wed, 2010-03-03 15:50

I'm having trouble printing

I'm having trouble printing the plans. Any recommendations?

posted by Anonymous (not verified) | on Sun, 2010-03-07 08:50

Hey Ana!Thank you so much for

Hey Ana!

Thank you so much for this tutorial! My hubby and I made it this weekend and we are in love with it! It is going to go into our 5 month olds room. We decided to stain with Minwax "English Chestnut" and it looks awesome!! We will for sure be making more of your projects!

posted by Tanner (not verified) | on Sat, 2010-03-20 21:08

I was wondering about how

I was wondering about how much it cost to make this bookcase.

posted by twilightmom (not verified) | on Fri, 2010-06-18 22:20

We just made this - with all

We just made this - with all our supplies - including varnish and paint and brushes etc... it was around 130-140 dollars. We did use the more expensive wood option instead of MDF, so I am sure you could save there. We bought our supplies at Home Depot in Maryland. Will send pics soon!

posted by Sarah (not verified) | on Tue, 2010-06-29 10:31

PS it is indeed missing a

PS it is indeed missing a piece, we just had an additional piece cut when we had the others done...

posted by Sarah (not verified) | on Tue, 2010-06-29 10:32

Just made a two shelf version

Just made a two shelf version of this:

http://bit.ly/aQERiz

Thanks!!!

posted by Cameron (not verified) | on Thu, 2010-07-15 13:19

front and side leg measurements

Hi there! I am hoping to build this cubby bookshelf, only to make mine a full height, 5 shelf one. However, instead of making the front and side legs 3" wide, can they be just 2" to just cover the side boards of the box and the side legs? I'd rather have all the widths of the shelf the same. Also, are the shelves sturdy enough to be completely filled with books without using extra supports from say L-brackets? And lastly, do you have other "foot" options for shelves or cases, like ones that taper in at the bottom?

posted by Guest (not verified) | on Mon, 2011-05-16 18:11

Making this higher?

I'd LOVE to turn this plan into a variation on Ikea's Hemnes glass-door cabinet with drawers, except that I'd put doors on the bottom instead of drawers.  Basically, I want to take this bookshelf design, add a some additional height, and then add doors (solid on bottom, glass on top).  Does anyone know if this plan is strong enough to support the additional weight of the height and doors?  This would be perfect in my dining area, and would fit in my budget much better than the Ikea one (and the wider width would be better as well)!

posted by Kate (not verified) | on Sat, 2011-07-23 09:51
clips

RE: Making this Higher

Hi! I just built this bookshelf today and I added about 8 inches to height of mine. It it still built strong as can be and could probably go even a little taller.

posted by mcmillen0326 | on Sat, 2011-07-23 19:50

totes

Hey Ana! Wondered where you purchase the cloth bins that you have in all your photos. I'm looking to purchase some prior to building to verifiy they fit. Thanks, Heidi : )

posted by Guest (not verified) | on Sat, 2011-08-06 11:28

addings doors?

Hi Ana, I tried to post a week or so ago, but I don't see the post here. I'm hoping you might have some advice on how to add doors to this. I've seen some of your other directions for doors, but wondered if you had a moment to speak specifically to this. Thanks!

posted by Carin (not verified) | on Sat, 2011-08-06 14:28

I love this bookcase! But it

I love this bookcase! But it isn't big enough for all my kids books. I have been looking for the 4 shelf version but can't find it. Have I missed it?

posted by Shannon :) (not verified) | on Tue, 2011-12-27 19:15

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