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Mod Modular Office - Bookcase

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mod desk
Difficulty
Beginner Projects
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Modern bookcases that display and store. Works with our Mod Modular Collection.

Collections
Mod Modular Office
Modular Office Collection
Dimensions
mod desk plan
Dimensions are shown above.

Preparation

Shopping List

5 feet of 1×10 boards

1 Sheet of 3/4″ Plywood (for Staining) or 3/4″ MDF (for painting), cut into 15 1/2″ wide strips, 8′ long

2 – 2×2 Boards, 8′ Long

4 – 1×2 Board, 8′ Long

2″ Screws or 1 1/4″ Pocket Hole Screws

2″ Finish nails Wood Glue Finishing Supplies Edge banding for staining

Common Materials
Elmer's Wood Glue
Elmer's Wood Filler
120 grit sandpaper
primer
wood conditioner
paint
paint brush
Cut List

1 – 1×16 @ 47 1/4″ (Top) 1 – 1×16 @ 46 1/2″ (Bottom) 1 – 1×16 @ 24 1/4″ (Middle Divider) 1 – 1×16 @ 25 3/4″ (Closed End) 1 – 1×16 @ 37″ (Long Shelf) 2 – 1×10 @ 26 1/2″ (Small Shelf Sides) 1 – 1×16 @ 8 3/4″ (Small Shelf) 4 – 1×2 @ 37 3/4″ (Side Trim) 4 – 1×2 @ 23 1/2″ (Closed End Trim) 2 – 1×2 @ 17″ (Small Shelf Trim) 2 – 2×2 @ 46 1/2″ (Floating Base Sides) 2 – 2×2 @ 12 1/2″ (Floating Base Ends)

Cutting Instructions

Have your hardware store cut your plywood into three 15 1/2″ wide strips, 8′ long. These boards will be called 1x16s throughout this plan (and this entire site) and all scraps can be used for any plan calling for a 1×16 board.

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Kreg Jig
Circular Saw
Table Saw
Power Sander
Level
Drill Bit Set

Instructions

Step 1

Build the Box

Measure the joints and mark out on all boards. If you are using a Kreg Jig™, drill pocket holes (you will need 1 1/4″ pocket holes screws). If you are using 2″ wood screws, predrill screw holes. Add glue and screw together.

Step 2

Large Shelf

The large shelf can be either held in place with shelf pins for an adjustable shelf or you can create a fixed shelf. For shelf pins, drill holes that match your shelf pins. For fixed shelves, attach the shelf with glue and screws as you did the box.

Step 3

Small Shelf Sides

Use 2″ finish nails and glue to attach the small shelf sides to the open end of the bookshelf. Leave 3/4″ under the bottom shelf, as shown in the diagram.

Step 4

Small Shelf

Add the small shelf with either screws and glue or drill shelf pin holes for an adjustable height shelf.

Step 5

Step 6

Closed End Trim

Attach the closed end trim to the closed end. Also, if the shelf is not fixed, attach to the shelf. Use 2″ finish nails and glue. If you are using a Kreg Jig™, build your face frames separately, then nail the entire face frame on as a whole.

Step 7

Small Bookshelf Trim

Attach the bottom and top trim to the small bookshelf. Use 2″ finish nails and glue. If you are using a Kreg Jig™, build the face frame first, then attach the entire face frame using 2″ finish nails and glue.

Step 8

Small Shelf Side Trim

Attach the small shelf side trim with 2″ finish nails and glue. If you choose to use fixed shelves, also nail into the fixed shelves for added support.

Step 9

Floating Base Sides

Use 2″ screws and glue to attach the floating base sides to the bottom.

Step 10

Floating Base Ends

Finish the floating base by attaching the final pieces to the bottom with 2″ screws and glue.

Project Type
Bookshelf and Bookcase Plans
Room
office
Style
Modern Style Furniture Plans

Comments

safetyglasses (not verified)

Fri, 09/10/2010 - 03:20

Alright - enough pics of those cute kids. when do we get to see some pics of your RAM?

Dynamic Duo (not verified)

Fri, 09/10/2010 - 03:22

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, Ana!

More modern! More adult! I'm loving your decision to broaden things and look into the West Elm modern-style. Keep these coming! Looking great. Even though I don't have a place or a need for this in my house, I might try to find a friend who really wants it, so I have an excuse to build it!

Viola (not verified)

Fri, 09/10/2010 - 06:34

I really like this piece Ana. Made me think of all sorts of ideas. Thank you again for all that you do.

StagsHome

Mon, 01/20/2020 - 09:08

Absolutely love these modular plans! 

I made some modifications and actually made this into a sofa table or "runner"—not too sure what they call them—for behind the couch. The shelving on the sides stores decor and magazines and the top makes a new home for decor that otherwise had no home. 

I opted to make mine out of only solid pine at the expense of being limited to 10 inches wide without additional joinery. 

Thank you for the inspiration! The wife was begging for a sofa table for over a year!

Gena Elmore

Sat, 01/23/2021 - 08:21

I'm married to a child! Haha he wanted a console to go in his vintage game room after seeing one online. I made it taller to fit his demands 😉 and added more shelves to store more games. It turned out PERFECT! So easy to do, but im def going to paint my pieces before assembly from now on, I did that once on a previous project and it makes a world of difference :) He cant stop bragging about it and that makes me a happy wife :)

P.S. this is my first post even though it was my 6th project from Ana, and I'm not sure how to post pics :)